PHYS 335

Classical Mechanics

Theory and applications of the Newtonian framework, covering systems of particles, conservation laws, the harmonic oscillator, central forces, orbital motion, motion in non-inertial reference frames, rotations of rigid objects, coupled oscillators and normal modes, the principle of least action, and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. The status of Newtonian determinism and the question of predictability are also addressed. Alternate years

Units: 4.0