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Classical mechanics

Classical mechanics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of the motion of objects and the forces that cause them to move. It forms the foundation of our understanding of how objects interact with one another in the macroscopic world, where the speeds are much lower than the speed of light. Classical mechanics was first formulated by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century and has since become a cornerstone of physics, providing the framework for describing the behavior of everyday objects, from falling apples to planetary orbits.

Using these laws, classical mechanics enables the calculation of the motion of objects under the influence of various forces. It involves the use of mathematical tools such as vectors, calculus, and differential equations to describe and analyze the behavior of systems.Additionally, classical mechanics includes the principle of conservation of energy and momentum. The conservation of energy states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant over time, while the conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of an isolated system is conserved in the absence of external forces.

Classical mechanics provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and predicting the motion of objects in everyday life and has been highly successful in describing the dynamics of macroscopic systems. However, it is important to note that classical mechanics has limitations and is not applicable at extremely small scales (quantum mechanics) or at very high speeds (relativity theory), where other physical theories are needed.

Classical or Newtonian mechanics essentially means prequantum mechanics and relativistic mechanics is also considered as a part of classical mechanics. First we will start with mechanics as formulated by Galileo and Newton. Later we proceed into newer and more advanced formulations of mechanics such as Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation. Though the newer formulations are just other ways of looking at the same subject, they require advance mathematical techniques and have the further advantage they can be used as starting points for the development of quantum mechanics and other formulations of electrodynamics. Sometimes problems which were very difficult to solve using Newton’s laws can be solved very easily using the new formulations of mechanics. Finally, we will discuss the special theory of relativity and also discuss how the classical motions of space, time, mass, etc., are modified and how far the new theory agrees with experiment.