Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems presents a modern and reasonably complete account of the classical mechanics of particles, systems of particles, and rigid bodies for physics students at the advanced undergraduate level. The book aims to present a modern treatment of classical mechanical systems in such a way that the transition to the quantum theory of physics can be made with the least possible difficulty; to acquaint the student with new mathematical techniques and provide sufficient practice in solving problems; and to impart to the student some degree of sophistication in handling both the formalism of the theory and the operational technique of problem solving. Vector methods are developed in the first two chapters and are used throughout the book. Other chapters cover the fundamentals of Newtonian mechanics, the special theory of relativity, gravitational attraction and potentials, oscillatory motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, central-force motion, two-particle collisions, and the wave equation.

The aim of the book is to treat all three basic theories of physics, namely, classical mechanics, statistical mechanics, and quantum mechanics from the same perspective, that of symplectic geometry, thus showing the unifying power of the symplectic geometric approach. Reading this book will give the reader a deep understanding of the interrelationships between the three basic theories of physics. This book is addressed to graduate students and researchers in mathematics and physics who are interested in mathematical and theoretical physics, symplectic geometry, mechanics, and (geometric) quantization.

This volume combines the enlarged and corrected editions of both volumes on classical physics of Thirring's famous course in mathematical physics. With numerous examples and remarks accompanying the text, it is suitable as a textbook for students in physics, mathematics, and applied mathematics. The treatment of classical dynamical systems uses analysis on manifolds to provide the mathematical setting for discussions of Hamiltonian systems, canonical transformations, constants of motion, and pertubation theory. Problems discussed in considerable detail include: nonrelativistic motion of particles and systems, relativistic motion in electromagnetic and gravitational fields, and the structure of black holes. The treatment of classical fields uses the language of differenial geometry throughout, treating both Maxwell's and Einstein's equations in a compact and clear fashion. The book includes discussions of the electromagnetic field due to known charge distributions and in the presence of conductors as well as a new section on gauge theories. It discusses the solutions of the Einstein equations for maximally symmetric spaces and spaces with maximally symmetric submanifolds; it concludes by applying these results to the life and death of stars.

This book constructs the mathematical apparatus of classical mechanics from the beginning, examining basic problems in dynamics like the theory of oscillations and the Hamiltonian formalism. The author emphasizes geometrical considerations and includes phase spaces and flows, vector fields, and Lie groups. Discussion includes qualitative methods of the theory of dynamical systems and of asymptotic methods like averaging and adiabatic invariance.

This book is an introduction to the field of constrained Hamiltonian systems and their quantization, a topic which is of central interest to theoretical physicists who wish to obtain a deeper understanding of the quantization of gauge theories, such as describing the fundamental interactions in nature. Beginning with the early work of Dirac, the book covers the main developments in the field up to more recent topics, such as the field?antifield formalism of Batalin and Vilkovisky, including a short discussion of how gauge anomalies may be incorporated into this formalism. All topics are well illustrated with examples emphasizing points of central interest. The book should enable graduate students to follow the literature on this subject without much problems, and to perform research in this field.

This third edition text provides expanded material on the restricted three body problem and celestial mechanics. With each chapter containing new content, readers are provided with new material on reduction, orbifolds, and the regularization of the Kepler problem, all of which are provided with applications. The previous editions grew out of graduate level courses in mathematics, engineering, and physics given at several different universities. The courses took students who had some background in differential equations and lead them through a systematic grounding in the theory of Hamiltonian mechanics from a dynamical systems point of view. This text provides a mathematical structure of celestial mechanics ideal for beginners, and will be useful to graduate students and researchers alike. Reviews of the second edition: "The primary subject here is the basic theory of Hamiltonian differential equations studied from the perspective of differential dynamical systems. The N-body problem is used as the primary example of a Hamiltonian system, a touchstone for the theory as the authors develop it. This book is intended to support a first course at the graduate level for mathematics and engineering students. ... It is a well-organized and accessible introduction to the subject ... . This is an attractive book ... ." (William J. Satzer, The Mathematical Association of America, March, 2009) “The second edition of this text infuses new mathematical substance and relevance into an already modern classic ... and is sure to excite future generations of readers. ... This outstanding book can be used not only as an introductory course at the graduate level in mathematics, but also as course material for engineering graduate students. ... it is an elegant and invaluable reference for mathematicians and scientists with an interest in classical and celestial mechanics, astrodynamics, physics, biology, and related fields.” (Marian Gidea, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2010 d)

A comprehensive graduate-level textbook on classical dynamics with many worked examples and over 200 homework exercises, first published in 1998.