PHY2263: Classical Mechanics II

Classical Mechanics II is the mathematically sophisticated reformulation of Newtonian mechanics and consists of Lagrangian mechanics and Hamiltonian mechanics. Not only does Classical Mechanics II enable us to solve problems efficiently, but it also opens up a route leading to quantum mechanics and Statistical Mechanics. Latterly the language and ideas of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Mechanics have found fruit in the description of the behavior of certain Chaotic systems. The section of the module on the Calculus of Variations provides the formulation of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, the d’Alembert’s Principle is also studied in the formulation of Equations of Lagrange.