Joshua Zhou

Three derivations for Euler-Lagrange

The new goal: learn physics. The first step: classical mechanics.

Taylor

Susskind’s

Landau

Here is the vague, general collection of resources I’ll probably consult along the way:

1. The Theoretical Minimum (Susskind): as a gentle primer, as a reminder of the “core” concepts of calculus-based mechanics before the introduction of the Lagrangian, and as an audio-visual supplement (Susskind’s recorded lectures). Classical Mechanics (Taylor): as a general reference Introduction to Classical Mechanics (Morin): another general reference. I hear the problems are good. Classical Mechanics (Goldstein): as a higher-level survey once the basics are cleared. Structure and Interpretation of Classical Mechanics (Sussman, …): scheme bae Mechanics (Landau and Lifschitz): as a test of comprehension, filling in the blanks, rigor, and a general roadmap. We have a well-developed theory for multivariate calculus that is grounded solely in pure mathematics. Regardless of motivation for this theory’s historical development, in the present day we can, and do, study this theory with a purely mathematical view. Later on, when taking a class like electrodynamics, we apply this theory and adapt it from the general situation to the specific.

My current head-understanding of Lagrangian mechanics so far is

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
    return 0;
}