EP222: Classical Mechanics (2018-19)
Course Instructor: Prof. Alok Shukla
Course Name: EP 222: Classical Mechanics
Credits: 6
Course Type: Core
Prerequisites:
Formal: None
Informal: Vector algebra and Matrix Algebra, Conic Sections, Integration and Differentiation (involves quite some decent calculations in places that needs good grasp of Conics and Integration Methods)
Course Content:
Assignments: Many questions in the tutorial could be found in Goldstein (whose solution manual exists online). Tutorials were thoroughly discussed and complete solutions were put up on moodle. Doubts were generally clarified well.
Exams: Exams and grading were standard (an AP was awarded), including 2 quizzes, a midterm and an endsem. The questions were between easy-moderate and scores were on the higher side.
Online Study Material: Not required
Advanced Follow-up Courses: All courses in Classical mechanics, Quantum mechanics, Field theory, etc.
Pro Tips: Attend classes regularly, know what's going on and solve all tutorials, it'll be easy to get a good (or great) grade.
Miss lectures, don't follow the classes, solve tutorials and read Goldstein, still manageable.
But the essence of the course lies in the theoretical foundation and the ideas behind the Equations and the intricate assumptions. That is the main takeaway from the course and is what you should focus on, as these ideas are key to any Theoretical field in physics. And this can only be done by following the lectures and reading the book.
Personal Comments: Goldstein is a well-written guide to a lot of classical ideas. Even if your prof follows some other books, it is a must have book to go through.
Course Name: EP 222: Classical Mechanics
Credits: 6
Course Type: Core
Prerequisites:
Formal: None
Informal: Vector algebra and Matrix Algebra, Conic Sections, Integration and Differentiation (involves quite some decent calculations in places that needs good grasp of Conics and Integration Methods)
Course Content:
D'Alembert's Principle
Lagrange's equations
Variational/Hamilton's Principle
Kinematics of Rigid body dynamics (Rotations)
Euler Equations of motion
Oscillations
Hamilton's Equations of Motion
Principle of Least Action
Lagrange's equations
Variational/Hamilton's Principle
Kinematics of Rigid body dynamics (Rotations)
Euler Equations of motion
Oscillations
Hamilton's Equations of Motion
Principle of Least Action
Other Topics covered: Central Force problem (including Kepler problem), Canonical Transformation
Books:
Classical Mechanics - Goldstein et al.
Analytical Mechanics - L. Hand and J. Finch
Mechanics - Landau and Lifshitz
Lectures: Lectures were well organised and delivered. Most derivations were done completely, which made the class slow and boring at times, but paying attention through these calculations proved useful for the examination. (This, however, meant that less content was covered than usual).
Sir was very strict with the attendance, however, no DX was awarded in the end. With the small class size, sir makes personal interaction a point and follows Goldstein almost word to word. Even his notes provided later could be traced back to the book.
Books:
Classical Mechanics - Goldstein et al.
Analytical Mechanics - L. Hand and J. Finch
Mechanics - Landau and Lifshitz
Lectures: Lectures were well organised and delivered. Most derivations were done completely, which made the class slow and boring at times, but paying attention through these calculations proved useful for the examination. (This, however, meant that less content was covered than usual).
Sir was very strict with the attendance, however, no DX was awarded in the end. With the small class size, sir makes personal interaction a point and follows Goldstein almost word to word. Even his notes provided later could be traced back to the book.
Exams: Exams and grading were standard (an AP was awarded), including 2 quizzes, a midterm and an endsem. The questions were between easy-moderate and scores were on the higher side.
Online Study Material: Not required
Advanced Follow-up Courses: All courses in Classical mechanics, Quantum mechanics, Field theory, etc.
Pro Tips: Attend classes regularly, know what's going on and solve all tutorials, it'll be easy to get a good (or great) grade.
Miss lectures, don't follow the classes, solve tutorials and read Goldstein, still manageable.
But the essence of the course lies in the theoretical foundation and the ideas behind the Equations and the intricate assumptions. That is the main takeaway from the course and is what you should focus on, as these ideas are key to any Theoretical field in physics. And this can only be done by following the lectures and reading the book.
Personal Comments: Goldstein is a well-written guide to a lot of classical ideas. Even if your prof follows some other books, it is a must have book to go through.
Respondent: Ajinkya Werulkar
Comments
Post a Comment