Analytical Mechanics

Analytical mechanics is the foundation of many areas of theoretical physics including quantum theory and statistical mechanics, and has wide-ranging applications in engineering and celestial mechanics. This introduction to the basic principles and methods of analytical mechanics covers Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, rigid bodies, small oscillations, canonical transformations and Hamilton–Jacobi theory. This fully up-to-date textbook includes detailed mathematical appendices and addresses a number of advanced topics, some of them of a geometric or topological character. These include Bertrand's theorem, proof that action is least, spontaneous symmetry breakdown, constrained Hamiltonian systems, non-integrability criteria, KAM theory, classical field theory, Lyapunov functions, geometric phases and Poisson manifolds. Providing worked examples, end-of-chapter problems, and discussion of ongoing research in the field, it is suitable for advanced undergraduate students and graduate students studying analytical mechanics.

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.

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.