Classical Mechanics

BS Physics
Dr. Imtiaz Khan
Abbottabad UST

• Classical Mechanics by Tom Kibble and Frank Berkshire, Imperial College Press; Latest Edition.
Mechanics
Mechanics deals with the physical objects either at rest or in motion due to the action of forces.
• It is that branch of mechanics which deals with the study of objects at rest.
Statics • In this branch, we study the motion of objects under the effect of forces in equilibrium.
• Time factor has no role to play in statics.

• The branch of mechanics which deals with motion of physical objects without
Kinematics considering cause of motion (i.e. forces) is called kinematics.
• Time factor plays an essential role in kinematics. Exs, Speed, Velocity etc

• The branch of mechanics which deals with motion of material objects by taking into
Dynamics account the cause of motion (i.e. forces) is called dynamics. Exs, Type of forces,
Newton’s laws etc
• As the cause of motion is force, therefore, dynamics is based on the concept of force.
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Classical Mechanics
Classical mechanics deals with the study of macroscopic objects.

Histor
y
 First Galileo (1584-1642), whose experiments with falling bodies (and bodies rolling on an incline) led to
Newton’s 1st Law.
 Newton (1642-1727) then developed his 3 laws of motion, together with his universal law of gravitation.
 This is where your previous experience in mechanics doubtless ends, but the science of mechanics does
not end there, as you’ll see in this course.
 Two additional, highly mathematical frameworks were developed by the French mathematician
Lagrange (1736-1813) and the Irish mathematician Hamilton (1805-1865).
 Together, these three alternative frameworks by Newton, Lagrange, and Hamilton make up what is
generally called Classical Mechanics.
 They are distinct from the other great forms of non-classical mechanics, Relativistic Mechanics and
Quantum Mechanics, but both of these borrow comprehensively from Classical Mechanics.
 • Motion of large object
Classical • Small speeds
Mechanics
‘RM deals with the motion of bodies whose relative
Motion of Small objects, for ex e- velocities approach the speed of light c’

Quantum Relativistic
Mechanics Mechanics
• Special relativity applies to all physical phenomena in the absence
of gravity. It is related to speed and time.
• General relativity explains the law of gravitation and its relation to
other forces of nature. It applies to the cosmological and astronomy.
• General relativity shows the relation between observer and
acceleration,

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 • Motion of large object
Classical • Small speeds
Mechanics
‘RM deals with the motion of bodies whose relative
Motion of Small objects, for ex e- velocities approach the speed of light c’

Quantum Relativistic
Mechanics Mechanics
• Special relativity applies to all physical phenomena in the absence
of gravity. It is related to speed and time.
• General relativity explains the law of gravitation and its relation to
other forces of nature. It applies to the cosmological and astronomy.
• General relativity shows the relation between observer and
acceleration,