CiNii Books - The mechanical universe : mechanics and heat

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.

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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The mechanical universe : mechanics and heat

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