PH5110 Classical Mechanics ... (2-0-0) [ spring: alternate years] ... 2 Cr

Next offering Spring 2007

Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor.

Text (Spring, 2005):

Undecided

• Classical Mechanics, 2 ^nd Ed, H. C. Corbin & Philip Stehle (ISBN 0486680630)

• Classical Mechanics, H. Goldstein.
• Mechanics, L.D. Landau and E.M. Lifshitz.

Further Suggested Reference: Mathematical Foundations of Classical Mechanics, Arnold.

Typical Syllabus (Approximate number of weeks).

• Review of Newtonian Mechanics (1)
• Principle of least action, Lagrange's equation, constants of motion, central force motion, small oscillations (5)
• Rigid body motion (2)
• Hamilton formalism, contact transformations, Poisson brackets, Hamilton-Jacobi equation (5)
• Review of special relativity; Lorentz invariant formulation of Euler-Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations (2)
• Chaotic Motion

Course Rationale:
Introduction to basic concepts of theoretical physics. One of the required core courses for graduate degrees in Physics.