Classical Mechanics: Volume 1: Lectures on Theoretical Physics

by David Tong

Any education in theoretical physics begins with the laws of classical mechanics. The basics of the subject were laid down long ago by Galileo and Newton and are enshrined in the famous equation F=ma that we all learn in school. But there is much more to the subject and, in the intervening centuries, the laws of classical mechanics were reformulated to emphasis deeper concepts such as energy, symmetry, and action. This textbook describes these different approaches to classical mechanics, starting with Newton's laws before turning to subsequent developments such as the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian approaches. The book emphasises Noether's profound insights into symmetries and conservation laws, as well as Einstein's vision of spacetime, encapsulated in the theory of special relativity. Classical mechanics is not the last word on theoretical physics. But it is the foundation for all that follows. The purpose of this book is to provide this foundation.

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2025

About the author

David Tong is your average Malaysian guy - down-to-earth and handsome. Bread and buttered at the King George Vth. School, Seremban after the WWII, he was thereafter trained as a teacher at the Kirkby College in Liverpool, England. In addition to a number of years as a teacher of English as a second language, his background encompasses sales and marketing, and general and agency management.

Now retired, David spends most of his senior years laughing over both old and new jokes, believing that laughter is certainly good medicine for his bones. When he is not laughing in his sarung at his home in Kuala Lumpur, David can be found sipping teh tarik at his favorite mamak stall, making quirky remarks and spinning frivolous kopitiam years with his cronies.