Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems

This best-selling classical mechanics text, written for the advanced undergraduate one- or two-semester course, provides a complete account of the classical mechanics of particles, systems of particles, and rigid bodies. Vector calculus is used extensively to explore topics.The Lagrangian formulation of mechanics is introduced early to show its powerful problem solving ability.. Modern notation and terminology are used throughout in support of the text's objective: to facilitate students' transition to advanced physics and the mathematical formalism needed for the quantum theory of physics. CLASSICAL DYNAMICS OF PARTICLES AND SYSTEMS can easily be used for a one- or two-semester course, depending on the instructor's choice of topics Content: Front Matter , Page iii Copyright , Page iv Preface , Pages v-vii Inside Front Cover , Page vii CHAPTER I - Matrices and Vectors , Pages 1-31 CHAPTER 2 - Vector Calculus , Pages 32-55 CHAPTER 3 - Fundamentals of Newtonian Mechanics , Pages 56-94 CHAPTER 4 - The Special Theory of Relativity , Pages 95-114 CHAPTER 5 - Gravitational Attraction and Potentials , Pages 115-127 CHAPTER 6 - Oscillatory Motion , Pages 128-168 CHAPTER 7 - Nonlinear Oscillations , Pages 169-195 CHAPTER 8 - Some Methods in the Calculus of Variations , Pages 196-213 CHAPTER 9 - Hamilton's Principle—Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics , Pages 214-266 CHAPTER 10 - Central-Force Motion , Pages 267-314 CHAPTER 11 - Kinematics of Two-Particle Collisions , Pages 315-341 CHAPTER 12 - Motion in a Noninertial Reference Frame , Pages 342-360 CHAPTER 13 - Dynamics of Rigid Bodies , Pages 361-415 CHAPTER 14 - Systems with Many Degrees of Freedom—Small Oscillations and Normal Coordinates , Pages 416-477 CHAPTER 15 - The Wave Equation in One Dimension , Pages 478-521 Solutions, Hints, and References for Selected Problems , Pages 522-526 APPENDIX A - Taylor's Theorem , Pages 527-530 APPENDIX B - Complex Numbers , Pages 531-536 APPENDIX C - Ordinary Differential Equations of Second Order , Pages 537-545 APPENDIX D - Useful Formulas , Pages 546-549 APPENDIX E - Useful Integrals , Pages 550-553 APPENDIX F - Differential Relations in Curvilinear Coordinate Systems , Pages 554-557 APPENDIX G - A “Proof” of the Relation , Pages 558-559 SELECTED REFERENCES , Page 560 BIBLIOGRAPHY , Pages 561-566 Index , Pages 567-576