Classical Mathematical Physics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxviii

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2. Classical Dynamical Systems

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Introduction

      • Walter Thirring

      Pages 3-9

   3. Analysis on Manifolds

      • Walter Thirring

      Pages 11-87

   4. Hamiltonian Systems

      • Walter Thirring

      Pages 89-168

   5. Nonrelativistic Motion

      • Walter Thirring

      Pages 169-212

   6. Relativistic Motion

      • Walter Thirring

      Pages 213-263

   7. The Structure of Space and Time

      • Walter Thirring

      Pages 265-281

3. Classical Field Theory

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 283-283

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   2. Introduction to Classical Field Theory

      • Walter Thirring

      Pages 285-328

   3. The Electromagnetic Field of a Known Charge Distribution

      • Walter Thirring

      Pages 329-381

   4. The Field in the Presence of Conductors

      • Walter Thirring

      Pages 383-432

   5. Gravitation

      • Walter Thirring

      Pages 433-528

4. Back Matter

   Pages 529-543

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This volume combines the enlarged and corrected editions of both volumes on classical physics of Thirring's famous course in mathematical physics. With numerous examples and remarks accompanying the text, it is suitable as a textbook for students in physics, mathematics, and applied mathematics. The treatment of classical dynamical systems uses analysis on manifolds to provide the mathematical setting for discussions of Hamiltonian systems, canonical transformations, constants of motion, and pertubation theory. Problems discussed in considerable detail include: nonrelativistic motion of particles and systems, relativistic motion in electromagnetic and gravitational fields, and the structure of black holes. The treatment of classical fields uses the language of differenial geometry throughout, treating both Maxwell's and Einstein's equations in a compact and clear fashion. The book includes discussions of the electromagnetic field due to known charge distributions and in the presence of conductors as well as a new section on gauge theories. It discusses the solutions of the Einstein equations for maximally symmetric spaces and spaces with maximally symmetric submanifolds; it concludes by applying these results to the life and death of stars.

• applied mathematics
• differential geometry
• dynamical system
• dynamical systems
• Einstein equations
• electromagnetic field
• field theory
• geometry
• gravitation
• Hamiltonian
• magnetic field
• mathematical physics
• Minkowski space
• solution
• three-body problem

From the reviews:

"… A complete book in classical field theory. Moreover it is very interesting to see the geometry of relativity. I highly recommend this book for the theoretical physicists and mathematicians interested in physics. In short this is a very useful book."  H. Cebeci, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

• Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

  Walter Thirring

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