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. B

    When can using a logarithm make solving an equation easier?

    Homework Statement Well, there is a physics problem I was solving and it is really interesting how it is officially solved. We take a small weight and hang it on a steel wire. For how much does the oscillation time change if the temperature of this wire raises for 10K? I looked up solution...
  2. Abhishek11235

    Solving 8.62: Frictionless Stick in Morin's Classical Mechanics

    Homework Statement This is the problem 8.62(in screenshot) from Morin's textbook of Classical mechanics. I solved it using conservation of momentum in y direction. However in solution manual,he neglects the momentum in y direction by calling stick frictionless. What is this frictionless stick...
  3. Q

    How Do You Derive the Constraint Equation for a Disc Rolling Along a Parabola?

    Homework Statement A disc of radius R rolls without slipping along the parabola y= ax2. Obtain the constrain equation Homework Equations Because there's no slipping, then: ##R d \theta = ds (1)## Where ##\theta ## is the angle between the line from the center of the disc to a fixed point...
  4. Mason Smith

    Solving for the tangential force for a bead on a wire

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I am pretty sure that I solved part a correctly. However, I feel as though my solutions for parts b and c are not quite correct because they seem simple. For instance, my solution for part b argues that the tangential force is...
  5. Peter Morgan

    A Schrödinger's cat: what's the state?

    A physicist prepares a box and tells us that in the box there is a cat that is in a superposition of being alive and being dead. How can we be sure whether they're telling the truth? Is the state a superposition or a mixture? If we open the box and measure only whether the cat is alive, using...
  6. SebastianRM

    Tangential Component of Centrifugal Acceleration

    The thing is in page p.347 Taylor, it is said that the component is: g_tan = Omega^2*Rsin(theta)cos(theta) However the angle between the centrifugal Force and the axis normal to the direction of the grav Force is actually 90 - theta, I am not really getting where I am going wrong understanding...
  7. D

    Studying John Baez's list of books math prerequisites?

    my current skills in math are differential eq and linear algebra... and I am about to start reading Feynman lectures of physics and planning to read all John Baez's recommended books.. after reading Feynman's, what would be the next best thing to do? learn more math? or jump already to core...
  8. SebastianRM

    Problem 9.2 Classical Mechanics: Astronaut in a rotating space station

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  9. SebastianRM

    I What is the gravitational component in the radial direction?

    Hey guys, I reading over Taylor's Classical Mechanics book. Chapter 9, Centrifugal Acceleration Section. In p.346 he mentions that for a free fall acceleration: g = g_0 + Ω^2 * Rsinθ ρ Where its radial component would be...
  10. S

    Studying Seeking advice for studying classical mechanics

    I am studying Classical Mechanics in this semester, I want to know if there are any suggestions on some problem sets that will help me to master the skills needed.
  11. Jozefina Gramatikova

    Classical Mechanics Problem: Particle in a Square Potential Well

    Homework Statement CLASSICAL MECHANICS [/B]Homework Equations E=U+K[/B]The Attempt at a Solution Guys, can you please help me with part b) ? I am not sure how to find the velocity. Thanks
  12. Jozefina Gramatikova

    Classical mechanics: Square well with Bounded particle

    My question is can we have negative energy in classical mechanics? Also I would need help for finding the velocity in part b)
  13. SpaceIsCool

    Transverse velocity and real/imaginary parts?

    Homework Statement The transverse velocity of the particle in Sections 2.5 and 2.7 is contained in (2.77), since By taking the real and imaginary parts, find expressions for v_x and v_y separately. Based on these expressions describe the time dependence of the transverse velocity. Homework...
  14. SpaceIsCool

    Can This Differential Equation Be Solved by Separation of Variables?

    Homework Statement We solved the differential equation (2.29), , for the velocity of an object falling through air, by inspection---a most respectable way of solving differential equations. Nevertheless, one would sometimes like a more systematic method, and here is one. Rewrite the equation...
  15. hilbert2

    Delta potential in classical mechanics

    In quantum mechanics, there exist some systems where the potential energy of some particle is a Dirac delta function of position: ##V(x) = A\delta (x-x_0 )##, where ##A## is a constant with proper dimensions. Is there any classical mechanics application of this? It would seem that if I...
  16. J

    MHB Challenging Classical Mechanics Problems: Can You Solve Them?

    Hello i have the difficulty in solving this two problems..thank you for your help math help boards :-)
  17. C

    Spring with oscillating support (Goldstein problem 11.2)

    Homework Statement A point mass m hangs at one end of a vertically hung hooke-like spring of force constant k. The other end of the spring is oscillated up and down according to ##z=a\cos(w_1t)##. By treating a as a small quantity, obtain a first-order solution to the motion of m in time...
  18. TachyonLord

    Find the average force at distance x

    Homework Statement A “superball” of mass m bounces back and forth with speed v between two parallel walls, as shown. The walls are initially separated by distance l. Gravity is neglected and the collisions are perfectly elastic. If one surface is slowly moved toward the other with speed V...
  19. R

    Why does the axis of rotation pass through the metacentre?

    When a ship heels, the centre of buoyancy of the ship moves laterally. It might also move up or down with respect to the water line. The point at which a vertical line through the heeled centre of buoyancy crosses the line through the original, vertical centre of buoyancy is called the...
  20. John McAndrew

    Acceleration of mass depends upon K and L of a spring?

    I have a question that appears elementary, but bizarre in its conclusion: A mass ##M## is accelerated by a spring of length ##L##, wave-speed ##v_p##, spring-constant ##K## and a constant force ##F## at the other end. As ##K## increases, the extension of the spring ##dx## decreases as does the...
  21. D

    Hamilton Jacobi equation for time dependent potential

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  22. sams

    Questions Regarding the Inertia Tensor

    In Chapter 11: Dynamics of Rigid Bodies, in the Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems book by Thornton and Marion, Fifth Edition, pages 415-418, Section 11.3 - Inertia Tensor, I have three questions regarding the Inertia Tensor: 1.The authors made the following statement: "neither V nor ω...
  23. K

    On Newton's first and second laws

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  24. R

    Moment of Inertia of an Ammonium Molecule

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  25. M

    How to calculate rebound speed of ball hitting a wall?

    Homework Statement A ball of mass 0.075 is traveling horizontally with a speed of 2.20 m/s. It strikes a vertical wall and rebounds horizontally. Due to the collision with the wall, 20% of the ball's initial kinetic energy is dissipated. Show that the ball rebounds from the wall with a speed of...
  26. M

    Change in momentum when given the speed (not the velocity).

    1. The problem statement. A tennis ball of mass m moving horizontally with speed u strikes a vertical tennis racket. The ball bounces back with horizontal speed v. Homework Equations p = mv The Attempt at a Solution My answer was m(v-u), meaning the final momentum (mv) subtracted from the...
  27. J

    Discrepancy in Lagrangian to Hamiltonian transformation?

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  28. L

    Lagrange equation of second kind - find solution's constant?

    Homework Statement This could be a more general question about pendulums but I'll show it on an example. We have a small body (mass m) hanging from a pendulum of length l. The point where pendulum is hanged moves like this: \xi = A\sin\Omega t, where A, \Omega = const. We have to find motion...
  29. D

    Rest energy in classical mechanics

    [Moderator's note: Post spun off from another thread.] That is correct but it doesn't mean Eo=0. The rest energy is unlimited in classical mechanics. Therefore it is impossible to find a relation between total energy and momentum.
  30. O

    Energy conservation and friction

    Hi, I just started learning physics at university and so I'm looking for help on a simple energy conservation problem. On the bottom right-hand of the image I attached below, you should see that it asks whether the initial speed would increase or decrease if the object was of a greater mass...
  31. M

    Can 3 forces of 9N, 4N, and 6N be in equilibrium?

    Homework Statement A mass of 3kg is acted upon by three forces of 4.0 N, 6.0N, and 9.0N and is in equilibrium. The 9N force is suddenly removed. Determine the acceleration of the mass. Homework Equations F=ma. The Attempt at a Solution My main problem with this question is that I cannot think...
  32. chmodfree

    I Generalized Momentum is a linear functional of Velocity?

    Generalized momentum is covariant while velocity is contravariant in coordinate transformation on configuration space, thus they are defined in the tangent bundle and cotangent bundle respectively. Question: Is that means the momentum is a linear functional of velocity? If so, the way to...
  33. C

    Escape Velocity and the Motion of Two Massive Bodies

    Hey there, If body 1, mass M1 has escape velocity V_e1 = (2GM1/r)**.5 but M2 is more massive than M1 is this relation still valid? In this case, the subordinate body really isn't the subordinate body so does this still hold? And r (distance b/t the two) changes not only due to the motion of M2...
  34. sams

    A Summation Index Notation in the Transformation Equations

    In Chapter 7: Hamilton's Principle, in the Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems book by Thornton and Marion, Fifth Edition, page 258-259, we have the following equations: 1. Upon squaring Equation (7.117), why did the authors in the first term of Equation (7.118) are summing over two...
  35. F

    Energy and motion from ##R^6 \rightarrow R##

    We know that energy is a function of space and velocity and it’s constant (in ideal case) though time. So ## E(\vec{x}(t) , \vec{\dot{x}}(t)) = E_0## where ##\vec{x} , \vec{\dot{x}} \in \mathbb{R}^3##. So my function is ##E : \mathbb{R}^6 \rightarrow \mathbb{R}##. Then there is my question...
  36. G

    Given force as a function of x, how do I find the total energy?

    Homework Statement F=-kx+kx3/α2 where k and α are constants and k > 0. Determine U(x) and discuss the motion. What happens when E=kα2/4? Homework Equations F=ma=mv2d/dx U=-∫Fdx The Attempt at a Solution The first part is easy. U(x) = kx2/2-kx4/4α2 Now I'm looking for what happens when E=kα2/4...
  37. sams

    Scleronomic or Rheonomic Mechanical System?

    I would really appreciate if someone could advise me whether the system below is a scleronomic or a rheonomic mechanical system, or a mix of both. If we consider the first pendulum, the constraint is fixed which leads to a scleronomous case while the constraint of the second pendulum is not...
  38. H

    Any good lecture notes for classical mechanics?

    Any good lecture notes for classical mechanic?
  39. D

    Two falling rods connected by a hinge

    Homework Statement I uploaded the homework question. This is #1. Homework Equations None directly given The Attempt at a Solution My main difficulty with the problem is that I am convinced it is much easier than my classmates make it out to be. This is graduate mechanics so I'm pretty sure...
  40. D

    Linearize a function about a solution to check for stability

    <Moderator's note: Moved from a technical forum and thus no template.> Technically the homework question is at graduate level, but the area I'm having trouble on I feel is at an undergraduate level. In the question we studied a particle rotating on a vertical hoop that is also rotating about...
  41. sams

    Why is a negative sign included in Equation (6) for central-force motion?

    In Chapter 8: Central-Force Motion, in the Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems book by Thornton and Marion, Fifth Edition, page 323, Problem 8-5, we are asked to show that the two particles will collide after a time ##\tau/4√2##. I don't have any problems with the derivations and with...
  42. Samama Fahim

    Frequency of Undamped Driven Oscillator near Zero

    Description of the Problem: Consider a spring-mass system with spring constant ##k## and mass ##m##. Suppose I apply a force ##F_0 \cos(\omega t)## on the mass, but the frequency ##\omega## is very small, so small that it takes the system, say, a million years to reach a maximum and to go to 0...
  43. Amitayas Banerjee

    What is the Lagrangian, equations of motion for this system?

    <<Moderator's note: Moved from a technical forum, no template.>> Description of the system: The masses m1 and m2 lie on a smooth surface. The masses are attached with a spring of non stretched length l0 and spring constant k. A constant force F is being applied to m2. My coordinates: Left of...
  44. sams

    A Difference between configuration space and phase space

    Lagrangian Mechanics uses generalized coordinates and generalized velocities in configuration space. Hamiltonian Mechanics uses coordinates and corresponding momenta in phase space. Could anyone please explain the difference between configuration space and phase space. Thank you in advance for...
  45. Pushoam

    Solving the Rotating Wire Problem

    Homework Statement A circular wire hoop rotates with constant angular velocity ! about a vertical diameter. A small bead moves, without friction, along the hoop. Find the equilibrium position of the particle and calculate the frequency of small oscillations about this position. Homework...
  46. Pushoam

    Why do we need the Lagrangian formulation of Mechanics?

    These images have been taken from Goldstein, Classical Mechanics. Why do we need Lagrangian formulation of mechanics when we already have Newtonian formulation of mechanics? Newtonian formulation of mechanics demands us to solve the equation of motion given by equation 1. 19. for this we need...
  47. P

    Classically communicate information faster then light?

    Where in this though-experiment do I get it wrong? Even though no mass can travel faster then c, maybe information can? And I'm not talking about quantum entanglement etc. Consider a pipe, filled with balls that are very tightly arranged. If I push the outermost ball on one side of the pipe...
  48. W

    The approximation of classical mechanics

    Rehashing this topic because I believe a clear misconception is stated in many threads. Classical mechanics is an incorrect ( by the definition of correct ) theory which is only an approximation that uses incorrect assumptions ie. Constant time but yet makes accurate predictions in its regime...
  49. E

    Other Physics Journals/Articles About Classical Mechanics

    I’m a high school student reading through Young and Freedmans University Physics. The book has gotten my very interested in classical mechanics, and I wish to read more about it outside the textbooks. However, I don’t know where I can read more about it. Sure, there are books that I can read...
  50. Amitayas Banerjee

    Equilibrium Conditions for a Rotating Rod with Two Point Masses

    1. A weightless rod carries towards of masses M and M. The roads Hinge Joint to vertical axis OO', which rotates with an angular velocity ω. Determine the angle φ formed by the rod and there vertical. The attempt at a solution If I am not wrong, the two ways to ensure equilibrium are...
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