Classical Mechanics

A Comprehensive University Course (0-100%)

Complete Notes

December 6, 2025
Contents

1 Linear Kinematics 3
1.1 Variables of Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2 Constant Acceleration Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 Free Fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 Vectors and 2D Motion 4

2.1 Vector Algebra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2 Projectile Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3 Newton’s Laws of Motion 5

3.1 The Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.2 Solving Problems (FBD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

4 Applications of Newton’s Laws 6

4.1 Friction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4.2 Centripetal Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5 Work and Kinetic Energy 7

5.1 Work (W ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.2 Kinetic Energy (K) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.3 Work-Energy Theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

6 Potential Energy and Conservation 8

6.1 Conservative Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
6.2 Conservation of Mechanical Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

7 Momentum and Collisions 9

7.1 Impulse and Momentum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
7.2 Conservation of Momentum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
7.3 Collisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

8 Rotational Kinematics 10
8.1 Angular Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
8.2 Moment of Inertia (I) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

9 Rotational Dynamics 11
9.1 Torque (τ ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
9.2 Newton’s 2nd Law (Rotation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
9.3 Rolling Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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Classical Mechanics: The Complete Course Chapters 1-12

10 Equilibrium and Elasticity 12

10.1 Static Equilibrium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
10.2 Elasticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

11 Gravitation 13
11.1 Universal Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
11.2 Kepler’s Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

12 Oscillations 14
12.1 Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
12.2 Pendulum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

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Chapter 1

Linear Kinematics

Kinematics describes motion without regard to forces.

1.1 Variables of Motion

• Position (x): Location relative to an origin.

• Velocity (v): v = dx/dt. Rate of change of position.

• Acceleration (a): a = dv/dt. Rate of change of velocity.

1.2 Constant Acceleration Equations

For constant a:

v = v0 + at (1.1)
1
x = x0 + v0 t + at2 (1.2)
2
v 2 = v02 + 2a∆x (1.3)

1.3 Free Fall

Gravity acts downwards with a = −g ≈ −9.8 m/s2 .

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Chapter 2

Vectors and 2D Motion

2.1 Vector Algebra

• A
⃗ = Ax î + Ay ĵ
q
• Magnitude: |A|
⃗ = A2x + A2y

• Direction: θ = tan−1 (Ay /Ax )

2.2 Projectile Motion

Motion in x and y are independent.

• X-axis: ax = 0 =⇒ vx = v0 cos θ (Constant).

• Y-axis: ay = −g =⇒ vy = v0 sin θ − gt.

v02 sin(2θ)
Range Equation: R = g

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Chapter 3

Newton’s Laws of Motion

3.1 The Laws

1. Inertia: An object maintains constant velocity unless net force acts.

2. Dynamics: F⃗net = m⃗a.

3. Action-Reaction: F⃗12 = −F⃗21 .

3.2 Solving Problems (FBD)

Always draw a Free Body Diagram. Separate forces into x and y components.
X X
Fx = max , Fy = may

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Chapter 4

Applications of Newton’s Laws

4.1 Friction
Resistive force between surfaces.

• Static (fs ): Prevents motion. fs ≤ µs N .

• Kinetic (fk ): Opposes sliding. fk = µk N .

4.2 Centripetal Force

Force required to turn in a circle of radius r.

v2
Fc = m
r
This is not a new force; it is the net radial force (provided by tension, friction, etc.).

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Chapter 5

Work and Kinetic Energy

5.1 Work (W )
Product of force and displacement parallel to force.
Z
W = F⃗ · d⃗r

5.2 Kinetic Energy (K)

Energy of motion: K = 12 mv 2 .

5.3 Work-Energy Theorem

Wnet = ∆K = Kf − Ki

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Chapter 6

Potential Energy and Conservation

6.1 Conservative Forces

Forces where work is path-independent (Gravity, Springs).

dU
F =−
dx

6.2 Conservation of Mechanical Energy

If no non-conservative forces (friction) act:

Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf

1 1
mv 2 + mghi = mvf2 + mghf
2 i 2

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Chapter 7

Momentum and Collisions

7.1 Impulse and Momentum

Momentum p⃗ = m⃗v . Impulse J⃗ = ∆⃗ F⃗ dt.
R
p=

7.2 Conservation of Momentum

In an isolated system (F⃗ext = 0): X X
p⃗i = p⃗f

7.3 Collisions
• Elastic: KE conserved.

• Inelastic: KE lost.

• Perfectly Inelastic: Objects stick together.

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Chapter 8

Rotational Kinematics

8.1 Angular Variables

• Pos: θ, Vel: ω, Accel: α.

• Link: v = rω, at = rα.

8.2 Moment of Inertia (I)

Resistance to rotation. Z
X
I= mi ri2 = r2 dm

Parallel Axis Thm: I = ICM + M d2 .

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Chapter 9

Rotational Dynamics

9.1 Torque (τ )
Twisting force: ⃗τ = ⃗r × F⃗ . Magnitude: τ = rF sin ϕ.

9.2 Newton’s 2nd Law (Rotation)

X
τ = Iα

9.3 Rolling Motion

Condition for no slip: vCM = Rω. Total KE = Translation + Rotation = 12 mv 2 + 12 Iω 2 .

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Chapter 10

Equilibrium and Elasticity

10.1 Static Equilibrium

P⃗ P
Conditions for an object to be stationary: 1. F = 0 2. ⃗τ = 0 (About any pivot)

10.2 Elasticity
Stress = Young’s Modulus × Strain.
F ∆L
=Y
A L0

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Chapter 11

Gravitation

11.1 Universal Law

Mm
Fg = G
r2
Potential Energy: Ug = −G Mrm .

11.2 Kepler’s Laws

1. Orbits are ellipses. 2. Equal areas in equal times. 3. Period squared ∝ Radius cubed
(T 2 ∝ r3 ).

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Chapter 12

Oscillations

12.1 Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

Restoring force F = −kx.
d2 x
+ ω2x = 0
dt2
p
Solution: x(t) = A cos(ωt + ϕ). Natural Frequency: ω = k/m.

12.2 Pendulum
q
L
Period T = 2π g.

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