Classical Mechanics

3 credits · Undergraduate

Calculus of variations. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics. Conservation laws. Vector algebra and coordinate transformations. Gravity and potential energy. Free, forced, damped, and nonlinear harmonic oscillations. The anharmonic oscillator and chaos. Orbital and rotational angular momentum. Gravitational and Coulomb central-force problems. Motion in non-inertial reference frames. Coupled oscillators and normal modes. Rigid-body motion. Continuous systems and the wave equation. Serves as repeat credit for PHYS 2270 and 2271. Prerequisite: 2255 or 3651. [3] (MNS)