PHYS 500
CLASSICAL MECHANICS OUTLINES
Spring 1997
Instructor: Ali R. Fazely
Phone : 771-2261, 3070
email: fazely@feynman.phys.subr.edu
Office: Room 237, James Hall
Credit Hours : 3
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 M, W, F
Text Book: Goldstein
Course Outline
An advanced course in classical mechanics has long been an integral part of the
graduate pðhysics curriculum. As a practical point of view that we are in a
macroscopic world and from the motion of the planets to planes and rockets, all
are governed by laws of classical physics. Mathematical complexity of classical
mechanics, such as tensor algebra Larlagrn'Õ and EulerÕs equations, Hamilton
Jacobi Theory and Canonical Transformation prepare students for better
understanding of quantum mechanics.
With the advent of the theory of special relativity, a course in classical
mechanics seems the appropriate place for the graduate student to get the basic
idea about Lorentz transformation and other aspects of relativity without
delving into a more special course on the subject.
The topics in the text would seem to be more appropriate for a two-quarter
course in classical mechanics rather than a one-semester course. It seems that
one would not be able to cover all these topics thoroughly in a single semester
or forty five (45) contact hours. We try to follow the following outline,
however, it is very ambitious and some topics may have to be shortened in order
to expose the student to all of them.
Prerequisites:
Undergraduate courses in classical mechanics and mathematical physics
Topics:
1) Elementary Principles
2) Variational Principles, LagrangeÕs Equations
3) Two-body (Central Force) Problem
4) Rigid Body Kinematics
5) Rigid Body Equations of Motion (EulerÕs Equation)
6) Special Relativity
7) HamiltonÕs Equations
8) Canonical Transformations
9) Hamilton - Jacobi Theory
10) Small Oscillations, Continuum Mechanics and Symmetry Ideas
Grading Scale:
Homework 25%
Exam (1 hour) 15%
Exam (1 hour) 15%
Exam (1 hour) 15%
Final (2 hours) 30%
No late assignment or assignments of collaborative nature will be accepted. If
a student misses a test with a legitimate excuse, a make-up test will be
arranged. If a student misses a test without a legitimate excuse, his/her grade
for that test is zero.