DSC 19: Classical Mechanics — Goldstein Study Guide
GOLDSTEIN STUDY GUIDE
Classical Mechanics (DSC 19) — Delhi University
Based on: Classical Mechanics by H. Goldstein, C.P. Poole & J.L. Safko (3rd Edition)
UNIT I: Variational Principle and Lagrangian Formulation
Duration: 10 Hours
Syllabus Topic Goldstein Reference
Chapter 1: Survey of Elementary Principles
Constraints §1.3 Constraints
Generalized Coordinates §1.3 Constraints (introduces generalized coords)
D'Alembert's Principle §1.4 D'Alembert's Principle and Lagrange's
Equations
Lagrange's Equations (from D'Alembert) §1.4 D'Alembert's Principle and Lagrange's
Equations
Velocity-Dependent Potentials §1.5 Velocity-Dependent Potentials and Dissipation
Function
Applications to Physical Systems §1.6 Simple Applications of the Lagrangian
Formulation
Chapter 2: Variational Principles and Lagrange's Equations
Hamilton's Principle §2.1 Hamilton's Principle
Calculus of Variation §2.2 Some Techniques of the Calculus of Variations
Euler-Lagrange Equations §2.3 Derivation of Lagrange's Equations from
Hamilton's Principle
Nonholonomic/Constrained Systems §2.4 Extending Hamilton's Principle to
Nonholonomic Systems
Cyclic Coordinates & Conserved Quantities §2.6 Conservation Theorems and Symmetry
Properties
Energy Conservation §2.7 Energy Function and Conservation of Energy
Problems to Solve — Unit I
Chapter 1 Problems:
1. Problem 1: Single particle with constraints
2. Problem 4: Atwood's machine
3. Problem 7: Particle sliding on sphere
4. Problem 8: Two masses connected by string
5. Problem 10: Bead on rotating wire
6. Problem 14: Charged particle in EM field
7. Problem 15: Velocity-dependent potential
8. Problem 21: Double pendulum
9. Problem 22: Constraints and degrees of freedom
Chapter 2 Problems:
10. Problem 2: Brachistochrone problem
11. Problem 5: Geodesics on sphere
12. Problem 7: Catenary problem
13. Problem 10: Lagrange multipliers
14. Problem 12: Cyclic coordinates
15. Problem 14: Conservation laws from symmetry
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DSC 19: Classical Mechanics — Goldstein Study Guide
16. Problem 17: Energy function
17. Problem 18: Nonholonomic constraints
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DSC 19: Classical Mechanics — Goldstein Study Guide
UNIT II: Hamiltonian Formulation and Phase Space
Duration: 10 Hours
Syllabus Topic Goldstein Reference
Chapter 8: The Hamilton Equations of Motion
Legendre Transformation §8.1 Legendre Transformations and Hamilton's
Equations of Motion
Hamilton's Equations of Motion §8.1 Legendre Transformations and Hamilton's
Equations of Motion
Phase Space §8.1 (Phase space introduced)
Phase Trajectories & Portraits §8.1–8.2 (Discussion within)
Cyclic Coordinates in Hamiltonian §8.2 Cyclic Coordinates and Conservation
Theorems
Routh's Procedure §8.3 Routh's Procedure
Chapter 9: Canonical Transformations
Canonical Transformations §9.1 The Equations of Canonical Transformation
Examples of Canonical Transformations §9.2 Examples of Canonical Transformations
Harmonic Oscillator (Canonical) §9.3 The Harmonic Oscillator
Symplectic Approach §9.4 The Symplectic Approach to Canonical
Transformations
Poisson Brackets §9.5 Poisson Brackets and Other Canonical
Invariants
Equations of Motion (Poisson Brackets) §9.6 Equations of Motion, Infinitesimal Canonical
Transformations, and Conservation Theorems in the
Poisson Bracket Formulation
Liouville's Theorem §9.9 Liouville's Theorem
Conservation of Phase Space Volume §9.9 Liouville's Theorem
Problems to Solve — Unit II
Chapter 8 Problems:
1. Problem 1: Hamiltonian for simple systems
2. Problem 2: Particle in central force
3. Problem 4: Charged particle in EM field
4. Problem 5: Hamilton's equations verification
5. Problem 10: Phase space trajectories
6. Problem 14: Cyclic coordinates
7. Problem 17: Routh's procedure
8. Problem 20: Phase portraits
9. Problem 23: Hamiltonian formulation
Chapter 9 Problems:
10. Problem 2: Verify canonical transformation
11. Problem 4: Generating functions
12. Problem 7: Point transformations
13. Problem 8: Canonical transformation examples
14. Problem 14: Poisson brackets
15. Problem 22: Poisson bracket identities
16. Problem 24: Infinitesimal canonical transformations
17. Problem 26: Angular momentum Poisson brackets
18. Problem 27: Conservation theorems
19. Problem 31: Liouville's theorem applications
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DSC 19: Classical Mechanics — Goldstein Study Guide
UNIT III: Rigid Body Dynamics
Duration: 11 Hours
Syllabus Topic Goldstein Reference
Chapter 4: The Kinematics of Rigid Body Motion
Independent Coordinates of Rigid Body §4.1 The Independent Coordinates of a Rigid Body
Rotation Matrices / Orthogonal Transformations §4.2 Orthogonal Transformations
Properties of Transformation Matrix §4.3 Formal Properties of the Transformation Matrix
Euler Angles §4.4 The Euler Angles
Cayley-Klein Parameters (Optional) §4.5 The Cayley-Klein Parameters and Related
Quantities
Infinitesimal Rotations §4.8 Infinitesimal Rotations
Rate of Change of Vector §4.9 Rate of Change of a Vector
Coriolis Effect §4.10 The Coriolis Effect
Chapter 5: The Rigid Body Equations of Motion
Angular Momentum of Rigid Bodies §5.1 Angular Momentum and Kinetic Energy of
Motion about a Point
Kinetic Energy of Rigid Bodies §5.1 Angular Momentum and Kinetic Energy of
Motion about a Point
Tensors §5.2 Tensors
Inertia Tensor §5.3 The Inertia Tensor and the Moment of Inertia
Principal Axis Transformation §5.4 The Eigenvalues of the Inertia Tensor and the
Principal Axis Transformation
Euler's Equations of Motion §5.5 Solving Rigid Body Problems and the Euler
Equations of Motion
Torque-Free Motion §5.6 Torque-Free Motion of a Rigid Body
Symmetrical Top (One Point Fixed) §5.7 The Heavy Symmetrical Top with One Point
Fixed
Problems to Solve — Unit III
Chapter 4 Problems:
1. Problem 1: Rotation matrix properties
2. Problem 4: Euler angles
3. Problem 9: Rotation composition
4. Problem 14: Infinitesimal rotations
5. Problem 15: Angular velocity vector
6. Problem 21: Coriolis force
Chapter 5 Problems:
7. Problem 1: Inertia tensor calculation
8. Problem 3: Principal axes
9. Problem 6: Kinetic energy of rigid body
10. Problem 8: Parallel axis theorem
11. Problem 12: Euler's equations
12. Problem 15: Torque-free symmetric top
13. Problem 17: Stability of rotation
14. Problem 20: Asymmetric top
15. Problem 22: Heavy symmetric top
16. Problem 25: Nutation and precession
17. Problem 26: Sleeping top
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DSC 19: Classical Mechanics — Goldstein Study Guide
UNIT IV: Central Force and Orbital Mechanics
Duration: 14 Hours
Syllabus Topic Goldstein Reference
Chapter 3: The Central Force Problem
Reduction to One-Body Problem §3.1 Reduction to the Equivalent One-Body Problem
Equations of Motion (Central Force) §3.2 The Equations of Motion and First Integrals
Classification of Orbits §3.3 The Equivalent One-Dimensional Problem, and
Classification of Orbits
Virial Theorem §3.4 The Virial Theorem
Differential Equation for Orbit §3.5 The Differential Equation for the Orbit, and
Integrable Power-Law Potentials
Bertrand's Theorem (Closed Orbits) §3.6 Conditions for Closed Orbits (Bertrand's
Theorem)
Kepler Problem §3.7 The Kepler Problem: Inverse-Square Law of
Force
Motion in Time (Kepler) §3.8 The Motion in Time in the Kepler Problem
Laplace-Runge-Lenz Vector §3.9 The Laplace-Runge-Lenz Vector
Scattering in Central Force Field §3.10 Scattering in a Central Force Field
Rutherford Scattering §3.10 (Rutherford formula derived within)
Stability of Orbits §3.6 (Stability discussion within Bertrand's theorem)
Chapter 6: Oscillations
Small Oscillations: Formulation §6.1 Formulation of the Problem
Linearization of Equations of Motion §6.1 (Expansion about equilibrium)
Eigenvalue Problem / Frequencies §6.2 The Eigenvalue Equation and the Principal Axis
Transformation
Principal Axis Transformation §6.2 The Eigenvalue Equation and the Principal Axis
Transformation
Normal Modes & Normal Coordinates §6.3 Frequencies of Free Vibration, and Normal
Coordinates
Free Vibrations (Triatomic Molecule) §6.4 Free Vibrations of a Linear Triatomic Molecule
Forced Oscillations §6.5 Forced Vibrations and the Effect of Dissipative
Forces
Coupled Oscillators §6.3 and §6.4 (General treatment)
Problems to Solve — Unit IV
Chapter 3 Problems:
1. Problem 1: Reduced mass
2. Problem 2: Effective potential
3. Problem 6: Orbit equation
4. Problem 7: Virial theorem applications
5. Problem 13: Kepler problem
6. Problem 18: Orbit classification
7. Problem 19: Bertrand's theorem
8. Problem 21: Scattering cross-section
9. Problem 22: Rutherford scattering
10. Problem 26: Impact parameter
11. Problem 28: Laboratory vs CM frame
12. Problem 31: Perturbed orbits
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DSC 19: Classical Mechanics — Goldstein Study Guide
Chapter 6 Problems:
13. Problem 1: Small oscillations setup
14. Problem 2: Normal modes (two masses)
15. Problem 4: Double pendulum
16. Problem 5: Coupled oscillators
17. Problem 7: Linear triatomic molecule
18. Problem 9: Degenerate frequencies
19. Problem 11: Forced oscillations
20. Problem 14: Damped coupled oscillators
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DSC 19: Classical Mechanics — Goldstein Study Guide
Quick Reference: Chapter Summary
Chapter Title Key Sections for DU Syllabus
Ch 1 Survey of Elementary §1.3, §1.4, §1.5, §1.6
Principles
Ch 2 Variational Principles §2.1, §2.2, §2.3, §2.4, §2.6, §2.7
Ch 3 Central Force Problem §3.1–§3.10 (All sections important)
Ch 4 Rigid Body Kinematics §4.1–§4.4, §4.8–§4.10
Ch 5 Rigid Body Equations of §5.1–§5.7 (All sections important)
Motion
Ch 6 Oscillations §6.1–§6.5
Ch 8 Hamilton Equations of §8.1, §8.2, §8.3
Motion
Ch 9 Canonical Transformations §9.1–§9.6, §9.9
Study Tips for DU Exams
• Focus on derivations: DU exams often ask for full derivations of Euler-Lagrange equations,
Hamilton's equations, Euler angles, and Euler's equations of motion.
• Master the worked examples: Goldstein has excellent worked examples within each section —
don't skip them.
• Understand the physical meaning: Don't just memorize formulas. Understand why Liouville's
theorem matters, what phase space represents, etc.
• Practice transformations: Canonical transformations and generating functions are heavily tested.
Practice multiple examples.
• Kepler problem is essential: Know the orbit equation, classification, and time dependence
thoroughly.
• Solve end-of-chapter problems: The problems listed in this guide are representative of DU exam
difficulty.
• Rigid body problems: Practice calculating inertia tensors, finding principal axes, and applying
Euler's equations.
• Small oscillations: Be comfortable setting up the matrices and finding normal modes for 2-3
degree of freedom systems.
Goldstein 3rd Edition: Page Reference
(Approximate page numbers — may vary slightly by printing)
Chapter Starts At Ends At
Chapter 1 Page 1 Page 44
Chapter 2 Page 45 Page 83
Chapter 3 Page 84 Page 148
Chapter 4 Page 149 Page 198
Chapter 5 Page 199 Page 257
Chapter 6 Page 258 Page 298
Chapter 8 Page 339 Page 377
Chapter 9 Page 378 Page 432
— Best of luck with your exams! —
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