Course overview
This course will give students a working knowledge of analytical mechanics and relativity to the standard required for further study in physics. Content will include: Mechanics: Lagrangian mechanics, variational techniques, conservation laws, Noether's theorem, small oscillations, Hamiltonian mechanics, Poisson brackets. Relativity: space-time vectors and tensors, relativistic mechanics, electrodynamics; field-strength tensor, Lienard-Wiechert potentials.
Course learning outcomes
- explain Lagrangian methods for problem solving, including small oscillations
- explain the relation between symmetry and conservation
- discuss the Hamiltonian formulation and its connection with quantum mechanics
- discuss the space-time approach to relativity and four-vectors
- explain relativistic kinematics and optics
- discuss relativistic analytic mechanics for a particle coupled to a field
- discuss covariant form of Maxwell's electromagnetic equations
- recognise appropriate techniques for solving a range of problems
- apply appropriate techniques to develop a solution
- andassess the validity of any assumptions that were made, and the correctness of the solution.
Availability
Class details
Adelaide City Campus East
Class number 56442
Section LE01
Size 60
Available 60
Class number 56444
Section WS01
Size 30
Available 30
Class number 56443
Section WS02
Size 30
Available 30
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