Duration:
Number of lectures per week: 3
Assessment: Regular assignments
End-of-year Examination: One 3-hour examination
Description:
The first part of the
course deal with classical mechanics and is a continuation of
course 141. Lagrange equations are introduced and applied to various
dynamical problems, including rigid bodies. The symmetric spinning
top is treated in some detail. The course continues with an
introduction to the methods of analytical dynamics developed
by Hamilton. Small osciallations are treated. The course then
provides an introduction to Quantum Mechanics. Topics covered:
Uncertainty Principle X and P representation: Heisenberg and
Schordinger picture: one dimensional harmonic oscillator and one dimensional
potential problems including and scattering and bound state problems.
The course then provides an introduction to special relativity, the general and special Lorentz
transformations, kinematics of special relativity with applications
and relativistic mechanics.
Objectives: Introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics,
Introduction to quantum mechanism and to special relativity.
Textbooks:
Classical Mechanics H. Goldstein/Classical Mechanics
L.D. Landau and E.M. Lifshitz
Variational Principles of Mechanics C. Lanczos
Special Relativity W. Rindler (Oxford Science Publications 2nd
edition (1991))
Special Relativity A.P. French (The M.I.T. Introductory Physics
Series).
Oct 9, 2001
Oct 9, 2001