Lagrangian Mechanics

Lagrangian Mechanics

This course introduces the reader to Lagrangian mechanics in a simple and visual way, while still providing a useful intuition about the mechanisms behind the process. Once the foundations are done, we work through a number of examples starting with the very simple and progress to impressively complex.

What is Lagrangian Mechanics? It is a different way of looking at motion. Never mind forces, let’s use energy! While big integrals and partial differential equations sound (and look) scary, once we get familiar they turn out to be the easy way out in complex physical situations where there are force vectors pointing in a bunch of directions. We can also throw out the need for confinement forces by being clever about how we define our coordinates.

Lagrangian mechanics is the definition of an investment: there is some preparation involved, but once we’re done with that we get to collect the benefits.

Some of the sections can get a little busy so don’t worry if you are overwhelmed, just take a break and rewatch the video. I hope you find this course useful and enjoyable. Best of luck.

Credit to 3Blue1Brown for his amazing animation python module. This is used for the animations in the first part of the module. Check out manim on github.

A new perspective on Newtonian mechanics.

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What you will learn

• Lagrangian mechanics
• Euler-Lagrange Equation
• Hamilton's Principle

Rating: 4

Level: Beginner Level

Duration: 1 hour

Instructor: Benedek Papp