Classical mechanics Definition and 1000 Threads

Classical mechanics is a physical theory describing the motion of macroscopic objects, from projectiles to parts of machinery, and astronomical objects, such as spacecraft, planets, stars, and galaxies. For objects governed by classical mechanics, if the present state is known, it is possible to predict how it will move in the future (determinism), and how it has moved in the past (reversibility).
The earliest development of classical mechanics is often referred to as Newtonian mechanics. It consists of the physical concepts based on foundational works of Sir Isaac Newton, and the mathematical methods invented by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Joseph-Louis Lagrange, Leonhard Euler, and other contemporaries, in the 17th century to describe the motion of bodies under the influence of a system of forces. Later, more abstract methods were developed, leading to the reformulations of classical mechanics known as Lagrangian mechanics and Hamiltonian mechanics. These advances, made predominantly in the 18th and 19th centuries, extend substantially beyond earlier works, particularly through their use of analytical mechanics. They are, with some modification, also used in all areas of modern physics.
Classical mechanics provides extremely accurate results when studying large objects that are not extremely massive and speeds not approaching the speed of light. When the objects being examined have about the size of an atom diameter, it becomes necessary to introduce the other major sub-field of mechanics: quantum mechanics. To describe velocities that are not small compared to the speed of light, special relativity is needed. In cases where objects become extremely massive, general relativity becomes applicable. However, a number of modern sources do include relativistic mechanics in classical physics, which in their view represents classical mechanics in its most developed and accurate form.

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  1. R

    Hi, how to find the magnitude of a rotating vector?

    i get stuck in how to find the magnitude of rotating vector . why say that |dA/dt|=A(dθ/dt) but who we can derive it or interpret this fact
  2. UnterKo

    Can Gravity Make a Hoop Rise Off Its Support When Beads Slide Down?

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  3. P

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  4. J

    Classical Spivak's Physics for Mathematicians: Mechanics

    Hello, I will be enrolling in an undergraduate Classical Mechanics course and I was wondering if the book by Spivak "Physics for Mathematicians: Mechanics" would help me understand the concepts more in depth than usual. Until the time that I will be taking the course, I will already have...
  5. H

    Orbit: impulse making orbit spherical

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  6. D

    Asteroid deflected by Earth -- effect on Earth

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  7. F

    Classical Need a Classical Mechanics book that covers these topics

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  8. D

    Scattering of two charged particles

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  9. D

    Density of star from hydrostatic equilibrium and pressure

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  10. Q

    A Is this constraint nonholonomic or not?

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  11. Muthumanimaran

    Find the Time period using First Integral

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  12. D

    Angular velocity of an atom in a magnetic field

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  13. D

    Kepler's third law implies force proportional to mass

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  14. D

    Angular velocity of circular orbit, small oscillations

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  15. D

    New orbit of satellite deflected by Jupiter

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  16. J

    Other What Are Your Thoughts on Greiner's Book Series?

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  17. D

    How Do You Choose Classical Mechanics Books?

    In the market, it has many many physics books teaching classical mechanics. Do you read one book only or a number of books? How do you make a choice?
  18. Eagertolearnphysics

    Classical Which is better Morin or Taylor on Classical Mechanics?

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  19. H

    Problem in Classical Mechanics

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  20. S

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  21. K

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  22. F

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  23. P

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  24. D

    I Complex Exponential solutions in time invariant systems

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  25. P

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  26. B

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  27. D

    What is the spring constant of the spring?

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  28. PhotonSSBM

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  29. A

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  30. A

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  31. 1

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  32. T

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  33. A. Neumaier

    B Is classical mechanics philosophically sound?

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  34. I

    Other Should I Study Calculus or Classical Mechanics First?

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  35. S

    Courses Interest in Areas of Classical Mechanics

    What are Hamiltonian/Lagrangian Mechanics and how are they different from Newtonian? What are the benefits to studying them and at what year do they generally teach you this at a university? What are the maths required for learning them?
  36. F

    Acceleration due to fictitious force independent of mass?

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  37. kolawoletech

    A Most General form of Canonical Transformation

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  38. SophiaSimon

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  39. N

    Classical What Is the Best Path to Tackle Goldstein's Classical Mechanics?

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  40. anarchean

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  41. avorobey

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  42. M

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  43. Elena14

    Solving Pulley Block System Acceleration & Tension

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  44. Luke Cohen

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  45. avorobey

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  46. O

    I Positive Mass in the Lagrangian from Landau

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  47. A

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  48. J

    Very simple Lagrangian mechanics problem

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  49. weirdlycool

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  50. Avatrin

    Classical Need a Supplement for Understanding Classical Mechanics?

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