Analytical Mechanics, 1st ed. 2017 Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics Series

This advanced undergraduate textbook begins with the Lagrangian formulation of Analytical Mechanics and then passes directly to the Hamiltonian formulation and the canonical equations, with constraints incorporated through Lagrange multipliers. Hamilton's Principle and the canonical equations remain the basis of the remainder of the text.

Topics considered for applications include small oscillations, motion in electric and magnetic fields, and rigid body dynamics. The Hamilton-Jacobi approach is developed with special attention to the canonical transformation in order to provide a smooth and logical transition into the study of complex and chaotic systems. Finally the text has a careful treatment of relativistic mechanics and the requirement of Lorentz invariance.

The text is enriched with an outline of the history of mechanics, which particularly outlines the importance of the work of Euler, Lagrange, Hamilton and Jacobi.

Numerous exercises with solutions support the exceptionally clear and concise treatment of Analytical Mechanics.

Prof. Dr. Carl S. Helrich is professor emeritus from Goshen College (USA) with research interests in Condensed Matter Physics, Mathematical Physics and Computational Physics. He received his PhD in Theoretical Plasma Physics from Northwestern University (USA). More than 25 years of teaching experience at Tennessee Space Institute (USA), Research Laboratory Jülich (Germany), Bethel College in Kansas and Goshen College allow for a unique perspective to present analytical mechanics.

Leaps directly into the variational approach, bypassing the Newtonian approach entirely, making this book stand out from its competitors

Applies a unique approach to teaching mechanics to advanced undergraduates with Lagrangian and Hamiltonian method that is far superior to that of Newton

Contains numerous exercises with concise solutions in the text and very detailed solutions in the manual

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras