Classical Mechanics (XJTLU)

Overview

This is a compulsory course for XJTLU students in the program BSc Applied Mathematics. I taught the course in two successive years, with drastic changes in the course content and delivery from the first to the second year.

Classical Mechanics (2013)

Course Description

Foundations of classical mechanics: Newton’s laws of motion, inertial and non-inertial reference frames, energy principles. Applications to simple dynamical systems under various force systems. Newton’s law of gravitation and its application to motions of planetary bodies and the orbits of satellites. Motion relative to a rotating frame, coriolis and centripetal forces, motion under gravity over the earth’s surface. Rigid body dynamics: centre of mass, angular velocity and momentum principles. Plane motions of laminae, simple 3-dimensional rigid body motions with reference to practical examples such as the orbiting space station, and the axis of rotation of the earth. Introduction to Lorentz transformations (time permitting).

Literature

An Introduction to Mechanics, D. Kleppner and R.J. Kolenkow, Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Classical Mechanics (2014)

Course Description

Elementary principles of classical mechanics (particles, systems of particles, constraints). Lagrangian formulation of classical mechanics, Hamilton’s variational principle. Conservation theorems and symmetries; energy. Rotation about fixed axis. Motion in a rotating frame (Coriolis force, Foucault pendulum). Hamiltonian formulation of classical mechanics. Oscillations and normal modes. Two-body problem; Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. Rigid body rotation; Euler angles, inertia tensor, Euler and Lagrange tops, precession of the equinoxes.

Literature

Classical Mechanics, H. Goldstein, C. Poole and J. Safko, 3rd edition, Addison-Wesley, 2002.