Matter and Motion [Paperback]

James Clerk Maxwell (Author), Sir Joseph Larmor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1602063087 | ISBN-13: 978-1602063082

This slim yet dense volume remains an excellent introduction to Newtonian physics, just as when it was first published in 1877. Beginning with the basics of physical science and working his way steadily up to universal gravitation, Maxwell surveys late-19th-century physics in his clear and concise style. Matter and Motion addresses: . motion . force . the properties of the center of mass of a material system . work and energy . recapitulation . the pendulum and gravity . the equations of motion of a connected system Readers from the science historian to the high school physics student will come away from Matter and Motion with a deeper understanding of the roots of modern physics. Scottish physicist and mathematician JAMES CLERK MAXWELL (1831-1879) is considered by many to be one of the giants of theoretical physics. Albert Einstein once described Maxwell's work as "the most profound and the most fruitful that physics has experienced since the time of Newton." A devoutly religious man and a published poet as well as a renowned scientist, Maxwell's books include Theory of Heat (1870), Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism (1873), and Elementary Treatise on Electricity (1881).

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

A thorough guide to the fundamental principles essential for studying elementary physics. Maxwell was a pioneer of physics and here logically explains and demonstrates the concepts his work built upon. Unifying concepts are introduced in order of complexity to build knowledge and understanding of the timeless laws of physics. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Cosimo Classics (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602063087
• ISBN-13: 978-1602063082
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,981,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A A GEM IN THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE, June 16, 2008

By 

Thomas K. Simpson (Saratoga Springs, NY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Matter And Motion (Paperback)

It's striking that previous reviewers belong to two distinct camps. To some, this little book appears to be an elementary introduction to familiar physics -- even, to "Newtonian physics". Others recognize it for what I believe it is: a beautiful and elegant introduction to a new view of the physical world very different from Newton's. To express his theory of electromagnetic field and the holistic view of nature it demanded, he had found his way to the Lagrangian formulation, based not on the individual forces of Newton, but on the energy of whole systems. Individual elements are derived, if at all, only abstractly by way of generalized coordinates. This little volume restates the elements of this new view elegantly without its analytic mathematics. For more about this turning point in Maxwell's work see my study of its role in the Treatise. Figures of Thought. I spell out this view of Matter and Motion in an article reprinted on my website thomasksimpson.com -- look under the heading "articles".

For a beautiful exposition of the Lagrangian view and its foundation in the Principle of Least Action, see Cornelius Lanczos The Variational Principles of Mechanics (Dover Books on Physics and Chemistry).

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good for the price, February 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Matter and Motion (Dover Books on Physics) (Paperback)

definitely not the best intro to newton mechanics but if you already know it and need the info in a new prespective this book will do you.NOT A SELF STUDY GUIDE.Is best when used as a review.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From the horses mouth, February 10, 2001

By 

Muzaffer Muctehitzade "hacibey" (Boston, Ma USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Matter and Motion (Dover Books on Physics) (Paperback)

This is how founding fathers thought and wrote about the Matter and Motion. It is a nostalgic reading. Maxwell himself wrote about Matter and Motion of course based on Newtonian Physics. You do not learn any new Physics unless you are doing study in the History of Science. Maxwell basically starts with definition of concepts in Newtonian Mechanics and explains Newton's laws of Motion. Force, Energy, Momentum all the good staff. Short book and interesting piece of history. Definitely worth reading of it for leisure or for study.