PHY3029 : Variational Methods and Lagrangian Dynamics
- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- Module Leader(s): Professor Ian Moss
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
To present basic ideas and techniques of variational calculus, including relevant applications.
Module Summary
What is the shortest route between two places on the Earth's surface (the answer isn't a straight line, because the Earth isn't flat!)? How to run a utilitarian economy? How do you reformulate dynamical motion in terms of geometry? To answer questions such as these, we need a way to find the path between two points which minimises some quantity (such as length or time). The calculus of variations is a very elegant and powerful way of doing this, and consequently has wide application to real-world problems. The ideas provide the basis for a reformulation of dynamics which underpins modern theoretical physics.
Outline Of Syllabus
Review of standard methods for finding extrema. Definition of, and method for calculating, extremals
(minima/maxima) of functionals. The Euler-Lagrange equation. Classical examples from different disciplines.
Lagrange multipliers. Many dependent variables. The action principle, Lagrangian
and Hamiltonian dynamics with applications to astro- and particle physics.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Formal Lectures - Present in Person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Problem Classes – Synchronous On-Line |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Revision Lectures – Present in Person |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | Completion of in course assessments |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 58 | 1:00 | 58:00 | Preparation time for lectures, background reading, coursework review |
| Total | 100:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| MAS3809 | Variational Methods and Lagrangian Dynamics |
| MAS8809 | Variational Methods and Lagrangian Dynamics |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work. Problem Classes are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 80 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | 10 | Coursework Assignments |
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | 10 | Coursework assignment |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The coursework assignments allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.
In the event of on-campus examinations not being possible, an on-line alternative assessment will be used for written examination 1.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PHY3029's Timetable