First published in 1987, this text offers concise but clear explanations and derivations to give readers a confident grasp of the chain of argument that leads from Newton’s laws through Lagrange’s equations and Hamilton’s principle, to Hamilton’s equations and canonical transformations. This new edition has been extensively revised and updated to include: A chapter on symplectic geometry and the geometric interpretation of some of the coordinate calculations. A more systematic treatment of the conections with the phase-plane analysis of ODEs; and an improved treatment of Euler angles. A greater emphasis on the links to special relativity and quantum theory showing how ideas from this classical subject link into contemporary areas of mathematics and theoretical physics. A wealth of examples show the subject in action and a range of exercises – with solutions – are provided to help test understanding.

Intended for graduate students, this textbook provides an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of analytical mechanics, as well as modern task-based approaches that can be exploited for real-world problems. Students will receive a timely perspective on applying theory to modern problems in areas like biomechanics and robotics.

Tensor Calculus and Analytical Dynamics provides a concise, comprehensive, and readable introduction to classical tensor calculus - in both holonomic and nonholonomic coordinates - as well as to its principal applications to the Lagrangean dynamics of discrete systems under positional or velocity constraints. The thrust of the book focuses on formal structure and basic geometrical/physical ideas underlying most general equations of motion of mechanical systems under linear velocity constraints. Written for the theoretically minded engineer, Tensor Calculus and Analytical Dynamics contains uniquely accessbile treatments of such intricate topics as: tensor calculus in nonholonomic variables Pfaffian nonholonomic constraints related integrability theory of Frobenius The book enables readers to move quickly and confidently in any particular geometry-based area of theoretical or applied mechanics in either classical or modern form.

Analytical Mechanics, first published in 1999, provides a detailed introduction to the key analytical techniques of classical mechanics, one of the cornerstones of physics. It deals with all the important subjects encountered in an undergraduate course and prepares the reader thoroughly for further study at graduate level. The authors set out the fundamentals of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics early on in the book and go on to cover such topics as linear oscillators, planetary orbits, rigid-body motion, small vibrations, nonlinear dynamics, chaos, and special relativity. A special feature is the inclusion of many 'e-mail questions', which are intended to facilitate dialogue between the student and instructor. Many worked examples are given, and there are 250 homework exercises to help students gain confidence and proficiency in problem-solving. It is an ideal textbook for undergraduate courses in classical mechanics, and provides a sound foundation for graduate study.

Literatur zur analytischen Mechanik enthalt meist nur die klassische Theorie, an der sich seit Jahren nichts geandert hat. Dieses Buch fullt eine Lucke, indem es rund 250 neue Beispiele und rund 400 neue Aufgaben bietet sowie nun auch computergestutzte Rechenmethoden behandelt. Mathematische Theorie und ingenieurtechnische Anwendungen stehen dabei stets in einem ausgewogenen Verhaltnis zueinander. Mit vielen anschaulichen Abbildungen! (11/99)

Offers a modern treatment of classical mechanics so that transition to many fields in physics can be made with the least difficulty. This book deals with the formulation of Newtonian mechanics, Lagrangian dynamics, which are formulating the quantum mechanics and Hamilton-Jacobi equation which provides the transition to wave mechanics.

Constrained motion is of paramount importance in the design and analysis of mechanical systems and central to the study of analytical dynamics. The problem of constrained motion was first posed over two hundred years ago, and it has been worked on vigorously ever since. This book offers a fresh approach to the subject. Eminently readable, it is written as an introduction to analytical dynamics, with emphasis on fundamental concepts in mechanics. The connection between generalized inverses of matrices and constrained motion is a central theme. The book begins with a description of the motion of a particle subjected to holonomic and nonholonomic constraints and presents explicit equations of motion. Examples are provided throughout the book, and carefully formulated problems at the end of each chapter reinforce the material covered. This computationally appealing approach will be useful to students in engineering and the applied sciences.