Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems

Jerry B. Marion

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN:
  9781483256764
• eBook ISBN:
  9781483272818
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Mechanics

Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems presents a modern and reasonably complete account of the classical mechanics of particles, systems of particles, and rigid bodies for physics students at the advanced undergraduate level. The book aims to present a modern treatment of classical mechanical systems in such a way that the transition to the quantum theory of physics can be made with the least possible difficulty; to acquaint the student with new mathematical techniques and provide sufficient practice in solving problems; and to impart to the student some degree of sophistication in handling both the formalism of the theory and the operational technique of problem solving. Vector methods are developed in the first two chapters and are used throughout the book. Other chapters cover the fundamentals of Newtonian mechanics, the special theory of relativity, gravitational attraction and potentials, oscillatory motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, central-force motion, two-particle collisions, and the wave equation.

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Chapter 1. Matrices and Vectors
• Chapter 2. Vector Calculus
• Chapter 3. Fundamentals of Newtonian Mechanics
• Chapter 4. The Special Theory of Relativity
• Chapter 5. Gravitational Attraction and Potentials
• Chapter 6. Oscillatory Motion
• Chapter 7. Nonlinear Oscillations
• Chapter 8. Some Methods in the Calculus of Variations
• Chapter 9. Hamilton's Principle — Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics
• Chapter 10. Central-Force Motion
• Chapter 11. Kinematics of Two-Particle Collisions
• Chapter 12. Motion in a Noninertial Reference Frame
• Chapter 13. Dynamics of Rigid Bodies
• Chapter 14. Systems with Many Degrees of Freedom — Small Oscillations and Normal Coordinates
• Chapter 15. The Wave Equation in One Dimension
• Solutions, Hints, and References for Selected Problems
• Appendix A. Taylor's Theorem
• Appendix B. Complex Numbers
• Appendix C. Ordinary Differential Equations of Second Order
• Appendix D. Useful Formulas
• Appendix E. Useful Integrals
• Appendix F. Differential Relations in Curvilinear Coordinate Systems
• Appendix G. A "Proof" of the Relation
• SELECTED REFERENCES
• BIBLIOGRAPHY