The Mechanical Universe: Mechanics and Heat, Advanced EditionCambridge University Press, 1986 M03 31 - 585 pages 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. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION TO THE MECHANICAL UNIVERSE | 1 |
THE LAW OF FALLING BODIES | 11 |
DERIVATIVES AND INTEGRALS | 27 |
INERTIA | 57 |
VECTORS | 75 |
NEWTONS LAWS AND EQUILIBRIUM | 113 |
UNIVERSAL GRAVITATION AND CIRCULAR MOTION | 141 |
FORCES | 163 |
GYROSCOPES | 413 |
Problems | 427 |
SOLVING THE KEPLER PROBLEM | 451 |
NAVIGATING IN SPACE | 477 |
TEMPERATURE AND THE GAS LAWS | 491 |
THE ENGINE OF NATURE | 505 |
ENTROPY | 531 |
THE QUEST FOR LOW TEMPERATURE | 547 |
FORCES IN ACCELERATING REFERENCE FRAMES | 203 |
CONSERVATION AND CONVERSION | 219 |
THE CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM | 263 |
OSCILLATORY MOTION | 295 |
Problems | 330 |
ROTATIONAL DYNAMICS FOR RIGID BODIES | 363 |
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Common terms and phrases
acceleration acting amount angle angular momentum applied atoms axis ball becomes body calculate called center of mass Chapter circular component conservation consider constant curve cycle depends derivative described determine diagram direction distance earth ellipse engine entropy equal equation equilibrium example experiment express falling Figure final force frame friction function Galileo given gives gravity heat horizontal increases inertia initial integral Kepler kinetic energy length liquid magnitude means measured mechanics molecules motion moving natural Newton's object obtain orbit origin oscillations particle path period physics planet position potential energy pressure problem quantity radius relation relative rest result rotation second law shown simple speed spring Table temperature torque turn unit universe vector velocity vertical volume weight zero