MASSACHVSETTS INSTITVTE OF TECHNOLOGY

	   Classical Mechanics 6.946, 8.351, 12.620, 12.008


Week 1: 

 1: Mechanics is more than equations of motion

 Read: Notation Appendix and Scheme Appendix

 Evening: Introduction to Lab -- Programming and Notation
          7--10~PM,  Room 14-0637
          We will work on
             Exercises: 8.1, 8.2 (from notation section)

 Assignment 0: Due 11 September 2009
   Exercises: 8.1, 8.2

 Read: Section 1 through section 1.4
 2: Principle of stationary action

 Assignment 1: Due 18 September 2009
   Exercises: 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5


Week 2:

 Read: Section 1.5, 1.6 up to 1.6.2
 3: Lagrange Equations, Hamilton's Principle

 Read: Sections 1.6.2, 1.6.3
 4: Coordinate transformations and rigid constraints

 Read: Section 1.7
 5: State and evolution - Chaos

 Assignment 2: Due 25 September 2009
   Exercises: 1.8, 1.9 by hand, 1.11, 1.20, 1.21
    Remember to show all steps on 1.9 and 1.11.
    You should use the method described in section
    1.6.3 to do exercise 1.20 with the computer.

 Begin the Double Pendulum Project, exercise 1.39,
   which will be due on 2 October 2009.


Week 3:

 Read: Sections 1.6.4
 6: Total-time derivatives and the Euler-Lagrange operator

 7: Chaotic Solar System

 Read: Section 1.8
 8: Conserved quantities

 Assignment 3: Due 2 October 2009
   Exercises: 1.26, 1.27, 1.29
   On 1.29, use the constraint formalism.

 Remember that the project on the double pendulum, 
 exercise 1.39, is due 2 October 2009.