Variational calculus, Lagrangian dynamics, rigid body motion including free and forced precession, Hamiltonian mechanics, Poisson brackets, canonical coordinates, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, action angle variables. Introduction to dynamical chaos: determinism, Lyapunov exponents. [3-0-1] Prerequisite: One of PHYS 216, ENPH 270 and one of MATH 215, MATH 255, MATH 256, MATH 258.
Variational calculus, Lagrangian dynamics, rigid body motion including free and forced precession, Hamiltonian mechanics, Poisson brackets, canonical coordinates, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, action angle variables. Introduction to dynamical chaos: determinism, Lyapunov exponents. [3-0-1] Prerequisite: One of PHYS 216, ENPH 270 and one of MATH 215, MATH 255, MATH 256, MATH 258.