| Lecture Plan for Physics 200A |
| Lagrangian Mechanics |
| Functionals, variational calculus, Euler-Lagrange equations, principle of least action, conservation laws, constraints, central forces, coupled oscillations, normal modes, symmetries, accelerated frames, continuum mechanics. |
| Hamiltonian Mechanics |
| Hamilton’s equations, phase flow, Liouville’s theorem, Poincaré recurrence, Kac ring model, ergodicity, Poisson brackets, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi method, action-angle variables,adiabatic invariance, canonical perturbation theory, integrability. |
| Other Important Issues |
| Discussion/Problem Session |
| A weekly discussion/problem session will take place on Thursdays from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm Pacific time. Attendees will randomly be assigned to Zoom breakout rooms where they will discuss specific homework problems. The TA and I will then visit the different breakout rooms to answer questions and monitor progress. |
| Grading |
There will be ten problem sets, one midterm, and a comprehensive final. Roughly, I will use the following formula to determine grades: 40% HW, 10% midterm, 40% final, 10% intangibles. I expect your homework to be legible and organized so the grader will be able to decipher what you submit. Failure to meet these expectations could result in tragic consequences. |
| Unsolicited Advice |
1. Do not fall behind! Keep up with the reading assignments and the homework. |