Classical Mechanics: A Modern Introduction [Paperback]

Martin McCall (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471497142 | ISBN-13: 978-0471497141 | Publication Date: December 1, 2000 | Edition: 1

Classical Mechanics is a clear introduction to the subject, combining a user-friendly style with an authoritative approach, whilst requiring minimal prerequisite mathematics - only elementary calculus and simple vectors are presumed. The text starts with a careful look at Newton's Laws, before applying them in one dimension to oscillations and collisions. More advanced applications - including gravitational orbits, rigid body dynamics and mechanics in rotating frames - are deferred until after the limitations of Newton's inertial frames have been highlighted through an exposition of Einstein's Special Relativity. The examples given throughout are often unusual for an elementary text, although they are made accessible through discussion and diagrams. Complete revision summaries are given at the end of each chapter, together with problems designed to be both illustrative and challenging.
Features:
* Comprehensive introduction to classical mechanics and relativity
* Many novel examples, e.g. stability of the universe, falling cats, crickets bats and snooker
* Includes many problems with numerical answers
* Revision notes at the end of each chapter

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...McCall presents a textbook for a rigorous course covering Newtonian mechanics and relativity with minimal mathematical prerequisites." (SciTech Book News, Vol. 25, No. 4, December 2001) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Classical Mechanics is a clear introduction to the subject, combining a user-friendly style with an authoritative approach, whilst requiring minimal prerequisite mathematics - only elementary calculus and simple vectors are presumed. The text starts with a careful look at Newton's Laws, before applying them in one dimension to oscillations and collisions. More advanced applications - including gravitational orbits, rigid body dynamics and mechanics in rotating frames - are deferred until after the limitations of Newton's inertial frames have been highlighted through an exposition of Einstein's Special Relativity. The examples given throughout are often unusual for an elementary text, although they are made accessible through discussion and diagrams. Complete revision summaries are given at the end of each chapter, together with problems designed to be both illustrative and challenging.
Features:
* Comprehensive introduction to classical mechanics and relativity
* Many novel examples, e.g. stability of the universe, falling cats, crickets bats and snooker
* Includes many problems with numerical answers
* Revision notes at the end of each chapter

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471497142
• ISBN-13: 978-0471497141
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,265,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not exactly " Classical Mechanics", January 22, 2009

By 

R. Bagula "Roger L. Bagula" (Lakeside, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classical Mechanics: A Modern Introduction (Hardcover)

As there is a good section on special relativity ,the book can't be called "classical" mechanics, at least in the older use.
I recognized good equations, good graphics and a helpful way of explaining hard things in this book.
It might be intermediate as a text: after beginning, but before advanced study; maybe a first year college level mechanics beginning text?