In the Lagrangian way, you can pick some variables that describe the object - really these variables can be anything. The Lagrangian is then: Where T is the 'kinetic energy' and V is the 'potential'.

Knowledge of Lagrangian mechanics assumed. Central force problem, scattering, rigid-body mechanics, normal modes and special relativity. Hamiltonian dynamics, canonical transformations, ...

This class covers the foundations of rigid multi-body mechanics. Topics include geometry of rigid bodies, rotating bodies, Lagrangian mechanics and variational principles, conservation of energy and ...