Lectures in Classical Mechanics

This exceptionally well-organized book uses solved problems and exercises to help readers understand the underlying concepts of classical mechanics; accordingly, many of the exercises included are of a conceptual rather than practical nature. A minimum of necessary background theory is presented, before readers are asked to solve the theoretical exercises. In this way, readers are effectively invited to discover concepts on their own. While more practical exercises are also included, they are always designed to introduce readers to something conceptually new. Special emphasis is placed on important but often-neglected concepts such as symmetries and invariance, especially when introducing vector analysis in Cartesian and curvilinear coordinates. More difficult concepts, including non-inertial reference frames, rigid body motion, variable mass systems, basic tensorial algebra, and calculus, are covered in detail. The equations of motion in non-inertial reference systems are derived in two independent ways, and alternative deductions of the equations of motion for variable mass problems are presented. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of mechanics are studied for non-relativistic cases, and further concepts such as inertial reference frames and the equivalence principle are introduced and elaborated on.

Helps readers learn new concepts through illustrative exercises Covers all key concepts, including often-neglected ones Is exceptionally well organized to facilitate learning

Autorentext
Victor Ilisie graduated in Physics in 2010 from the University of Valencia and in the following year obtained his Master's Degree in Advanced Physics (branch: Theoretical Physics). He subsequently worked as a researcher at the University of Valencia and in 2014 and 2015 has been teaching courses on Classical Mechanics at the university, where he is completing a PhD within the framework of a project on "Particle Physics Phenomenology at the LHC and Flavour Factories". He has also worked temporarily at Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France and has a number of published papers to his name.

Inhalt

Vector Analysis in Cartesian Coordinates.- Vector Analysis in Curvilinear Coordinates.- Kinematics.- Newton's Laws, Dynamics and Galilean Relativity.- Systems of Particles and Variable Mass.- One-Dimensional Potentials and Two-Dimensional Central Potentials.- Non Relativistic Collisions.- Continuous Mass Distributions. Gravitational Potential and Field.- Non-Inertial Reference Systems.- Rigid Body Dynamics.- Special Theory of Relativity.- Relativistic Collisions and Decays.- Non-Relativistic Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Mechanics.