Least Action and Classical Fields

We present the principle of least action and see how it is used in non-relativistic point particle mechanics, relativistic point particle mechanics, general relativity, derivation of field equations for scalar, vector and tensor fields as well as the energy momentum tensor. Towards the end we present examples of solutions of Einstein-Maxwell fields: The Reissner-Nordstrom metric, Kerr metric, and Kerr- Newman metric.

Cosmic Analogues of Classic Variational Problems

Several classic one-dimensional problems of variational calculus originating in non-relativistic particle mechanics have solutions that are analogues of spatially homogeneous and isotropic universes. They are ruled by an equation which is formally a Friedmann equation for a suitable cosmic fluid. These problems are revisited and their cosmic analogues are pointed out. Some correspond to the main solutions of cosmology, while others are analogous to exotic cosmologies with phantom fluids and finite future singularities.

Symmetry Fundamentalism: A Case Study from Classical Physics

Physicists have suggested what I call symmetry fundamentalism: the view that symmetries are fundamental aspects of physical reality and that these aspects are more fundamental than what one might ordinarily think of as the fundamental building blocks of the world, such as elementary particles. The goal of this paper is to develop an ontology for classical particle mechanics that provides a precise instance of symmetry fundamentalism.