Introduction to Classical Mechanics With Problems and Solutions

This textbook covers all the standard introductory topics in classical mechanics, including Newton's laws, oscillations, energy, momentum, angular momentum, planetary motion, and special relativity. It also explores more advanced topics, such as normal modes, the Lagrangian method, gyroscopic motion, fictitious forces, 4-vectors, and general relativity. It contains more than 250 problems with detailed solutions so students can easily check their understanding of the topic. There are also over 350 unworked exercises which are ideal for homework assignments. Password protected solutions are available to instructors at www.cambridge.org/9780521876223. The vast number of problems alone makes it an ideal supplementary text for all levels of undergraduate physics courses in classical mechanics. Remarks are scattered throughout the text, discussing issues that are often glossed over in other textbooks, and it is thoroughly illustrated with more than 600 figures to help demonstrate key concepts.

Preface; 1. Strategies for solving problems; 2. Statics; 3. Using F=ma; 4. Oscillations; 5. Conservation of energy and momentum; 6. The Lagrangian model; 7. Central forces; 8. Angular momentum, Part I (constant L); 9. Angular momentum, Part II (general L); 10. Accelerating frames of reference; 11. Relativity (kinematics); 12. Relativity (dynamics); 13. 4-vectors; 14. General relativity; Appendices; References; Index.

This textbook covers all the standard introductory topics in classical mechanics, as well as exploring more advanced topics. With more than 250 problems with detailed solutions, and over 350 unworked exercises, this is an ideal supplementary text for all levels of undergraduate physics courses in classical mechanics.

David Morin is Lecturer on Physics at Harvard University. He received his Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics from Harvard in 1996. When not writing physics limericks or thinking of new problems whose answers involve e or the golden ratio, he can be found running along the Charles River or hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.