Classical Dynamics

A Contemporary Approach

by Jorge V. José and Eugene Saletan
Classical Dynamics Book

Chapter Three:

Topics in Lagrangian Dynamics







Figure 3.2
 
The Variational principle and Lagrange's equations
  1. 1. derivation: the action, Hamilton's principle, discussion
  2. 2. inclusion of constraints

Symmetry and conservation
  1. 1. cyclic coordinates: invariant submanifolds and conservation of momentum, transformations, passive and active, three examples
  2. 2. Noether's theorem: point transformations, the theorem

Nonpotential forces
  1. 1. dissipative forces in the Lagrangian formalism: rewriting the EL equations, the dissipative and Rayleigh functions
  2. 2. the damped harmonic oscillator
  3. 3. comment on time-dependent forces

A digression on geometry
  1. 1. some geometry: vector fields, one-forms, the Lie derivative
  2. 2. the Euler-Lagrange equations
  3. 3. Noether's theorem: one-parameter groups, the theorem

Problems
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