" The power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy except in those

happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous." --- Nevertheless, one

tries!

Classical Mechanics: PH 508

About the instructor: I am a theoretical physicist, and my main research interest is to

understand things related to Gravity!

Tut

Sreejith is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Physics discipline. You may also

approach him if you have any doubts about the course.

A description of the course:

Classical Mechanics is a fundamental topic in physics, which describes how to

understand the dynamical properties of macroscopic objects. More precisely, the laws of

classical mechanics obey the principle of classical determinism.

Our universe is quantum mechanical, and classical mechanics only apply as an

approximation. But the study of classical mechanics provides us with important

mathematical tools, which are often useful in various other areas of physics, including

quantum mechanics and field theory.

This course will be theoretical. We would aim to understand the fundamental

principles. The emphasis will be on the conceptual issues rather than problem-

solving techniques.

Note: I do not ascribe to the notion of `Physical Interpretation’. There is no such thing.

There are only two types of interpretations, Right & Wrong. So, don't ask me anything
related to the physical interpretation of topics. That will lead to a long lecture on the

'Philosophy of Science,’ and I guarantee that you do not want that to happen.

Note: I often miss factors like 8\pi, 4\pi, etc. You then must find out these correct factors.

Unless they qualitatively change the conclusion, there is no need to notify me about these

missing factors. Also, I hardly care about correct signs in various formulas. Use the

principle of requirement and find the correct sign yourself.

Course Content:

This course can be broadly divided into three parts:

1. Lagrangian Mechanics:

Lagrangian mechanics is a reformulation of classical mechanics introduced by the Italian-

French mathematician and astronomer Joseph-Louis Lagrange. The Lagrangian approach

to classical mechanics provides a beautiful and mathematically powerful method that

applies to a much broader and more general setting than the usual particle mechanics

based on Newton's law.

This part of the course will introduce the basics of Langrangian mechanics. The prerequisite

for the course will be a basic understanding of Newtonian mechanics. The primary learning

outcome will be an understanding of the mathematical methods used in the theory of

classical dynamics.

Total Number of lectures: 12.

Duration of each lecture: 1.5 hours

Plan of Lectures:
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Lecture 1: Review of Newtonian mechanics for a single and many particles, The problem

with Constraints,

Lecture 2: Holonomic and Nonholonomic constraints. Limitation of Newtonian formulation

of mechanics when constraint forces are present.

Lecture 3: The principle of Virtual work, D'Alembert principle.

Lecture 4: The Lagrange multipliers. The concept of generalized coordinates. Different

examples.

Lecture 5: Derivation of the Eular-Lagrangian equation.

Lecture 6: The Lagrangian function, velocity-dependent potentials, and the dissipation

functions,

Lecture 7: Calculus of Variation, Hamilton’s least action principle. Derivation of the Eular-

Lagrangian equation of the principle of least action.

Lecture 8: Cyclic coordinates, Conservation theorems, symmetry principles, Noether’s

theorem.

Lecture 9: Non-inertial reference frames, Lagrangian equation in rotating frames, Pseudo

force.

Lecture 10: Application of Lagrangian Mechanics: Central forces, Constants of Integration.

Lecture 11: Bound orbits, Bertrand's theorem.

Lecture 12: The discussion of the Kepler problem, Planetary motion, Laplace-Runge-Lenz

vector. Dynamical Symmetry

Apart from the lectures, there will be one discussion session to clarify the doubts

and discuss the assignments.

2. Hamiltonian Mechanics :

Hamiltonian formulation of the classical mechanics takes place in the phase space, and the

dynamics are described using the Hamiltonian, a function of generalized coordinates and
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the conjugate momenta. Hamiltonian mechanics has important applications in

thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and quantum mechanics.

Total Number of lectures: 9

Duration of each lecture: 1.5 hours

Plan of Lectures:

Lecture 1: The Hamiltonian Formalism, Introduction to the Hamiltonian function using

Legendre Transform. The classical Phase Space.

Lecture 2: Hamiltonian equation of motion, derivation from least action principle and

various applications.

Lecture 3: Liouville’s Theorem, derivation, and application. Poincare’s Recurrence

Theorem

Lecture 4: Introduction of the Poisson Bracket, Canonical Transformation

Lecture 5: More on canonical Transformations, Generating functions.

Lecture 6: Action-angle variables. Integrable Hamiltonians.

Lecture 7: Hamilton-Jacobi Theory.

Lecture 8: Application of Hamilton-Jacobi Theory.

Lecture 9: Glimpse of quantum mechanics from H-J theory.

Apart from the lectures, there will be a discussion session to clarify the doubts and

discuss the assignments.

3. Special Topics :

Lecture 1: Four vectors and tensors. Energy-momentum Tensor of a free particle

Lecture 2: Continuum limit, Introduction to classical field theory.

Lecture 3: Noether theorem in field theory. Real and Complex Scalar field.
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Lecture 4: Classical Electromagnetic field, Gauge Symmetry.

Lecture 5: Energy momentum tensor of classical fields.

Evaluation Process:

The course will be evaluated based on two quizzes, assignments, and Mid Semester and

End Semester examinations.

Four assignments will be shared during the lectures. Only one will be graded, chosen at

random, at the end of the course. So, please submit all the assignments. Submission of all

the assignments is mandatory to get the assignment grades.

Class Schedule: TBA

Attendance Policy:
The attendance policy of the course is that there is no attendance policy. You are free to
skip the lectures. There is no compulsion to attend anything. Attend if and only if
you find the lectures interesting. As long as you correctly follow the evaluation norms,
you will get the grades accordingly.

Textbook and Online Lecture Notes:

1. Classical Mechanics by Herbert Goldstein.

2. Classical Mechanics By Rana & Joag.

3. (Online) Lectures on Classical Dynamics by David Tong.

These three will be the main resource materials for the course, but if you want to be

considered a respectable physicist, thou shalt study:

L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, Mechanics.

Also, you may like to check the book:

Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics by V I Arnold. (Not for Faint-Hearted)

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Best of luck, May the Force be with you!