Classical Mechanics, 2011

Lecture days: Usually Mondays and Fridays, 11:30 AM. The schedule is available on the TIFR calendar.
Drop test: On August 27. Register by sending me an email before August 20 if you want to take it.
Problem sets: Due before Sep 6
Exams: Mid sem: September 17; end sem: November 29

Reading List: Classical Mechanics, 2011

Main textbooks

Classical Mechanics by Herbert Goldstein
Mechanics by L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifschitz
Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics by V. I. Arnold

Please make it a point to read the relevant sections of all three books soon after a lecture, and before the next lecture. The three books have quite distinct emphasis: Goldstein's is a classic textbook, Landau's book is highly conceptual, and Arnold's has a mathematical flavour.

Reference books

Modern Analysis by E. T. Whittaker and G. N. Watson
Mathematica by S. Wolfram
Digital Library of Mathematical Functions by US National Institute of Standards
Handbook of Mathematical Functions by Abramowitz and Stegun

Expository material

The Interplanetary Transport Network by Shane Ross
What is the Experimental Basis of Special Relativity by T. Roberts and S. Schlief

Advanced reading

When effective theories predict: the inevitability of Mercury's anomalous perihelion precession by James D. Wells [arxiv:1106.1568]
Galilean Electromagnetism by M. Le Bellac and J.-M. Levy-Leblond [Nuovo Cimento, 14 (1973) 217]

We will work through at least one of these papers in class. Anyone who is interested is welcome to work through more.