PH4153 Advanced Classical Mechanics I

The first course in a two-course sequence covering classical mechanics at the advanced graduate level. Newtonian mechanics of single-particle and two-body central force systems, including orbital motion and scattering . Constraints, Lagrangian dynamics and generalized coordinates. Euler's formulation of rigid body mechanics. Small oscillations and systems of coupled oscillators.

Prerequisite

PH3152, PH3991

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

1

Course Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to solve quantitative problems at the graduate level for the following list of topics:

• Hamilton’s principle and the calculus of variations;
• Lagrangian mechanics of single-particle and two-body central force systems, including orbital mechanics and scattering;
• Eigenvalue problems of normal frequencies, with application to molecular vibration;
• Legendre transforms and the principle of least action;
• Canonical transforms and Poisson brackets, with application to the harmonic oscillator and angular momentum;
• Hamilton-Jacobi equation and action-angle variables for one degree of freedom.