Classical Mechanics

Formulations

There are different ways of describing classical mechanics. Each has its individual strength and weaknesses, but in terms of observable predictions, they are all equivalent.

Roadmaps

Traditional Roadmap

Newtonian Mechanics Newton's laws
Lagrangian Mechanics Euler-Lagrange equation, Noether's theorem, configuration space
Hamiltonian Mechanics Hamilton's equation, canonical transformation, generating functions, Noether's theorem in the Hamiltonian formalism, phase space

Reading Recommendations

  • The best book that gives a grand tour of classical mechanics is The Lazy Universe by Coopersmith

History

  • A History of Mechanics by Dugas