**Physics 3.

1: Introduction to Classical Mechanics**

**Lecture Notes**

**I. Introduction to Classical Mechanics**

- Classical mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with the motion of objects under the influence
of forces. It provides fundamental principles for understanding the behavior of macroscopic objects.

- Developed by Isaac Newton in the 17th century, classical mechanics laid the foundation for modern
physics.

**II. Newton's Laws of Motion**

1. **Newton's First Law (Law of Inertia):**

- An object remains at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external
force.

- Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.

2. **Newton's Second Law (Law of Acceleration):**

- The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely
proportional to its mass.

- Mathematically, \( F = ma \), where \( F \) is the net force, \( m \) is the mass, and \( a \) is the
acceleration.

3. **Newton's Third Law (Action-Reaction Law):**

- For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

- When one object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite
force on the first.

**III. Applications of Newton's Laws**

1. **Projectile Motion:**

- Describes the motion of objects projected into the air, such as a ball thrown or a bullet fired.

- Gravity acts vertically downward, causing the object to follow a parabolic trajectory.

2. **Uniform Circular Motion:**

- Motion of an object moving at a constant speed along a circular path.

- The object experiences a centripetal force directed toward the center of the circle, keeping it in its
circular path.

**IV. Work, Energy, and Power**

1. **Work (W):**

- Work is done when a force causes displacement of an object in the direction of the force.

- Mathematically, \( W = F \cdot d \cdot \cos(\theta) \), where \( F \) is the force, \( d \) is the

displacement, and \( \theta \) is the angle between the force and displacement vectors.

2. **Kinetic Energy (K):**

- The energy possessed by an object due to its motion.

- Mathematically, \( K = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \), where \( m \) is the mass and \( v \) is the velocity.

3. **Potential Energy (U):**

- The energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration.

- Examples include gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy.

4. **Conservation of Mechanical Energy:**

- In the absence of non-conservative forces like friction, the total mechanical energy (kinetic energy +
potential energy) of a system remains constant.
5. **Power (P):**

- The rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.

- Mathematically, \( P = \frac{W}{t} \), where \( W \) is the work done and \( t \) is the time taken.

**V. Conservation Laws**

1. **Conservation of Linear Momentum:**

- The total momentum of a closed system remains constant if no external forces act on it.

- Mathematically, \( \Sigma \vec{p}_{\text{initial}} = \Sigma \vec{p}_{\text{final}} \).

2. **Conservation of Angular Momentum:**

- The total angular momentum of a system remains constant if no external torques act on it.

- Mathematically, \( \Sigma \tau_{\text{external}} = 0 \Rightarrow \Sigma L_{\text{initial}} = \Sigma

L_{\text{final}} \).

**VI. Conclusion**

- Classical mechanics provides a powerful framework for understanding the motion of objects and
systems under the influence of forces.

- It forms the basis for more advanced branches of physics, such as quantum mechanics and relativity,
which extend its principles to new realms of understanding.