Introduction To Lagrangian Mechanics, An (Paperback)

Alain J. Brizard

ISBN 10: 9812818375 / ISBN 13: 9789812818379

Published by World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd, Singapore, 2008

About this Item

Paperback. An Introduction to Lagrangian Mechanics begins with a proper historical perspective on the Lagrangian method by presenting Fermat's Principle of Least Time (as an introduction to the Calculus of Variations) as well as the principles of Maupertuis, Jacobi, and d'Alembert that preceded Hamilton's formulation of the Principle of Least Action, from which the Euler-Lagrange equations of motion are derived. Other additional topics not traditionally presented in undergraduate textbooks include the treatment of constraint forces in Lagrangian Mechanics; Routh's procedure for Lagrangian systems with symmetries; the art of numerical analysis for physical systems; variational formulations for several continuous Lagrangian systems; an introduction to elliptic functions with applications in Classical Mechanics; and Noncanonical Hamiltonian Mechanics and perturbation theory.This textbook is suitable for undergraduate students who have acquired the mathematical skills needed to complete a course in Modern Physics. Offers a historical perspective on the Lagrangian method by presenting Fermat's Principle of Least Time as well as the principles of Maupertuis, Jacobi, and d'Alembert that preceded Hamilton's formulation of the Principle of Least Action, from which the Euler-Lagrange equations of motion are derived. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9789812818379

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Introduction To Lagrangian Mechanics, An (Paperback)
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd, Singapore
• Publication Date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9812818375
• ISBN 13: 9789812818379
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

An Introduction to Lagrangian Mechanics begins with a proper historical perspective on the Lagrangian method by presenting Fermat's Principle of Least Time (as an introduction to the Calculus of Variations) as well as the principles of Maupertuis, Jacobi, and d'Alembert that preceded Hamilton's formulation of the Principle of Least Action, from which the Euler-Lagrange equations of motion are derived. Other additional topics not traditionally presented in undergraduate textbooks include the treatment of constraint forces in Lagrangian Mechanics; Routh's procedure for Lagrangian systems with symmetries; the art of numerical analysis for physical systems; variational formulations for several continuous Lagrangian systems; an introduction to elliptic functions with applications in Classical Mechanics; and Noncanonical Hamiltonian Mechanics and perturbation theory. This textbook is suitable for undergraduate students who have acquired the mathematical skills needed to complete a course in Modern Physics.

Review

This book is excellent providing a solid foundation in analytical mechanics. The selection of topics, the analysis used for the description of all the key concepts, the historical description of the very many characters appearing along the development of the theory, including the rigorous mathematical analysis used for the exposition of the different chapters, makes it a very useful textbook. Each chapter ends within a nice collection of interesting exercises intended to be solved by the student ... It can also be very useful as a source reference for lecturers in advanced mechanics, by selecting the appropriate sections and adapting them to the level of the students in class. --Contemporary Physics