Preface; 1. Lagrangian dynamics; 2. Hamilton's variational principle; 3. Kinematics of rotational motion; 4. Dynamics of rigid bodies; 5. Small oscillations; 6. Relativistic mechanics; 7. Hamiltonian dynamics; 8. Canonical transformations; 9. The Hamilton–Jacobi theory; 10. Hamiltonian perturbation theory; 11. Classical field theory; Appendix A. Indicial notation; Appendix B. Frobenius integrability condition; Appendix C. Homogeneous functions and Euler's theorem; Appendix D. Vector spaces and linear operators; Appendix E. Stability of dynamical systems; Appendix F. Exact differentials; Appendix G. Geometric phases; Appendix H. Poisson manifolds; Appendix I. Decay rate of fourier coefficients; References; Index.
An introduction to the basic principles and methods of analytical mechanics, with selected examples of advanced topics and areas of ongoing research.
Nivaldo A. Lemos is Associate Professor of Physics at Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil. He was previously a visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His main research areas are quantum cosmology, quantum field theory and the teaching of classical mechanics.
'The greatest strength of the book is that it starts with minimal
knowledge and then takes the student very carefully into the modern
concepts. The background required is a basic knowledge in classical
dynamics and differential equations, with the other usual basic
mathematics courses. By the end of the book the student is prepared
for the advanced topics of modern geometric mechanics … I highly
recommend this book as an advanced undergraduate text in
mathematics, physics or engineering.' Thomas J. Bridges,
Contemporary Physics
'The contents cover the most relevant topics for an advanced
undergraduate course on analytical mechanics, enlarged by a
selection of topics of interest for graduate students and
researchers. The chapter structure and subject sequence is
carefully chosen, rendering a constructive and pedagogical
approach.' Cesar Rodrigo, MathsSciNet
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