This innovative physics textbook intended for science and engineering majors develops classical mechanics from a historical perspective. The presentation of the standard course material includes a discussion of the thought processes of the discoverers and a description of the methods by which they arrived at their theories. However the presentation proceeds logically rather than strictly chronologically, so new concepts are introduced at the natural moment. The book assumes a familiarity with calculus, includes a discussion of rigid body motion, and contains numerous thought-provoking problems. It is largely based in content on The Mechanical Universe: Introduction to Mechanics and Heat, a book designed in conjunction with a tele-course to be offered by PBS in the Fall of 1985. The advanced edition, however, does not coincide exactly with the video lessons, contains additional material, and develops the fundamental ideas introduced in the lower-level edition to a greater degree.
- Develops classical mechanics from a historical perspective
- Introduces new concepts
- Includes examples and end of chapter problems
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Product details
- Date Published: April 2008
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521715904
- length: 604 pages
- dimensions: 235 x 204 x 30 mm
- weight: 1.1kg
- contains: 450 b/w illus. 20 tables 467 exercises
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Introduction to the mechanical universe
2. The law of falling bodies
3. The language of nature: derivatives and integrals
4. Inertia
5. Vectors
6. Newton's laws and equilibrium
7. Universal gravitation and circular motion
8. Forces
9. Forces in accelerating reference frames
10. Energy: conservation and conversion
11. The conservation of momentum
12. Oscillatory motion
13. Angular momentum
14. Rotational dynamics for rigid bodies
15. Gyroscopes
16. Kepler's laws and the conic sections
17. Solving the Kepler problem
18. Navigating in space
19. Temperatures and the gas laws
20. The engine of nature
21. Entropy
22. The quest for low temperature
Appendix A. The international system of units
Appendix B. Conversion factors
Appendix C. Formulas from algebra, geometry, and trigonometry
Appendix D. Astronomical data
Appendix E. Physical constraints
Selected bibliography
Index.
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Authors
Steven C. Frautschi
Steven C. Frautschi joined the California Institute of Technology faculty in 1962 and became professor emeritus in 2006. His publication list includes 80 research papers on the theory of high energy physics, and the book 'Regge Poles and S- Matrix Theory'. He has served as Master of Student Houses and has won three student teaching awards.
Richard P. Olenick
Richard P. Olenick is currently the chair of Department of Physics at University of Dallas. He was Associate Project Director of the PBS Series The Mechanical Universe and Beyond the Mechanical Universe, which accompanied this textbook and its successors. He has received numerous grants from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education for his work in physics education. His current project is C3P, which developed an inquiry-based curriculum for high school physics. In 1995, Dr Olenick was named Texas Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation and in 1997, he was named a Minnie Piper Steven Professor. In 2003, he became the Nancy Cain Marcus and Jeffrey A. Marcus Chair in Science and in 2005 he received the King Award from the University of Dallas, which is the highest honor the University can bestow on a faculty member.
Tom M. Apostol
Tom M. Apostol joined the California Institute of Technology faculty in 1950 and is now Professor of Mathematics, Emeritus. He is internationally known for his textbooks on Calculus, Analysis, and Analytic Number Theory, which have been translated into 5 languages, and for creating Project MATHEMATICS!, a series of video programs that bring mathematics to life with computer animation, live action, music, and special effects. The videos have won first-place honors at a dozen international video festivals, and have been translated into Hebrew, Portuguese, French, and Spanish. His list of publications includes 98 research papers, 46 of them published since he retired in 1992. He has received several awards for his research and teaching. In 1978 he was a visiting professor at the University of Patras in Greece, and in 2000 was elected a Corresponding Member of the Academy of Athens, where he delivered his inaugural lecture in Greek.
David L. Goodstein
Dr. David L. Goodstein is Vice Provost and Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at the California Institute of Technology, where he has been on the faculty for over 35 years. In 1995, he was named the Frank J. Gilloon Distinguished Teaching and Service Professor. In 1999, Dr Goodstein was awarded the Oersted Medal of the American Association of Physics Teachers, and in 2000, the John P. McGovern Medal of the Sigma Xi Society. He has served on and chaired numerous scientific and academic panels, including the National Advisory Committee to the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate of the National Science Foundation. He is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the California Council on Science and Technology. His books include States of Matter and Feynman's Lost Lecture, written with his wife, Dr. Judith Goodstein. In the 1980s, he was Director and host of The Mechanical Universe television program.