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PHYS 419Theoretical Mechanics

3 credits · Physics · Penn State

Principles of Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian mechanics of particles with applications to vibrations, rotations, orbital motion, and collisions. PHYS 419 / MATH 419 Theoretical Mechanics (3) A second course in classical mechanics, required of all physics majors who typically take it in their 5th or 6th semester. The course includes a review of relevant mathematics, detailed discussions of advanced topics in Newtonian mechanics, introductions to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, and applications to such forced oscillations, orbital motion, vibrational motion and normal modes, rigid body motion, and collisions.It is a prerequisite for Physics 461, which is a second semester extension. It is also a valuable background for most 400-level physics courses, especially Physics 410.

Before you enroll

Prerequisites

You need one from each line:

Where it fits

Where it sits in degree plans

Suggested plans most often put it in Year 3 · Fall (2 programs).

Required in (2)

  • Physics, B.S. (Behrend)
  • Physics, B.S. (Science)
What it opens up

Courses that list PHYS 419 as a prerequisite (3)