SI2360 Analytical Mechanics and Classical Field Theory 7.5 hp
2010
Information
- First lecture Spring 2010: Tuesday Jan 19 10:00-12:00 in room FB51
in AlbaNova. Welcome!
- Course homepage: http://courses.theophys.kth.se/SI2360
- Course format: The course consists of 15 lectures (30 h).
- Language: English
- Updates: News, updated information, and course material is posted
on the web page. Check regularly!
- Schedule
- Course material download page
Username=student. The password is provided at the lectures.
Aims
After the course you should be able to:
- Formulate mechanics problems using the formalisms of analytical mechanics.
- Solve mechanics problems using the methods introduced in the course.
- Formulate the connection between classical mechanics and quantum mechanics.
Content
This is an advanced course on classical physics, including mechanics and classical field theory.
The course develops basic theoretical skills and understanding that form
a necessary preparation to many modern developments of theoretical physics.
In particular it gives the background to appreciate the transtion to quantum mechanics.
The aim is to give a good working knowledge of the formalisms of Lagrange and Hamilton and their
applications in classical (i.e. non-quantized) systems.
The course should be useful to all theoretically interested students in physics and other related areas.
Topics
- Review of elementary Newtonian mechanics: Newton's laws, Galilei transformations, conservation laws, accelerated reference systems, etc.
- Principles of canonical mechanics: Lagrange and Hamilton formalism, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi equations, etc.
- The mechanics of rigid bodies
- Continuous systems: introduction to classical field theory
- many examples
Prerequisites
Introductory mechanics and engineering mathematics courses.
Course literature
There is no course book, but the following material is recommended:
- Tong: David Tong, Lectures on Classical Dynamics
- FW: A. L. Fetter and J. D. Walecka, Theoretical Mechanics of Particles and Continua, McGraw-Hill 1980. Effective introduction to analytical mechanics and classical field theory.
- LL: E. M. Lifshitz, L. D. Landau, Mechanics (Course of Theoretical Physics), Butterworth-Heinemann (1982). A classic.
- G: H. Goldstein, C. P. Poole, and J. L. Safko, Classical Mechanics, 3rd ed., Addison-Wesley (2002). A classic textbook.
- A: V. I. Arnold, Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics, Springer (1997). Advanced more mathematical presentation.
- JS: J. V. Jose´ and E. J. Saletan, Classical Dynamics - A Contemporary Approach, Cambridge (2002). Modern textbook with several examples.
- S: F. Scheck, Mechanics. From Newton's laws to deterministic chaos. Springer (1999).
Links
Lectures
Prof Mats Wallin,
Room A4:1078 in AlbaNova,
Email: 
,
Phone: 08-5537 8715
Course requirements and examination
1. Volunatry homework will be given throughout the course,
that gives bonus points on the written examination.
2. A written examination will take place in the end of May.
3. An oral examination on theory questions.
Rules for homework:
Homework sets are posted on the download page.
Some collaboration is allowed, but
you must solve, formulate and write your solutions individually.
Time and place
Will be decided on the first lecture.
Time:
Place:
Preliminary lecture plan
| Topic |
Literature |
| 1 Newtonian mechanics |
FW 1 |
| 2 Kepler problem |
FW 1 |
| 3 Lagrangian dynamics |
FW 3 |
| 4 Lagrangian dynamics |
FW 3 |
| 5 Hamiltonian dynamics |
FW 6 |
| 6 Hamiltonian dynamics |
FW 6 |
| 7 Small oscillations |
FW 4 |
| 8 Rigid bodies |
FW 5 |
| 9 The spinning top |
FW 5 |
| 10 Canonical transformations |
FW 6, G 9 |
| 11 Hamilton-Jacobi theory, transition to quantum mechanics |
FW 6, G 10 |
| 12 Classical field theory |
JS 9 |
| 13 Classical field theory |
JS 9 |
| 14 Fluid dynamics |
JS 9 |
Mats Wallin
