Customer Reviews

Vectors And Tensors In Engineering And Physics: Second Edition

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've not come across another book that introduces tensors successfully to non-mathematics graduates. It would not be easy to appreciate and comprehend every part of the book as it covers a wide range of physics & engineering applications. (not many of us are experts in all fields) However, the book is an excellent platform to start learning about tensors, after which one can go on to read the classics on tensors. I'd recommend the book to any senior or graduate engineering student (physics and maths students might find the book "less challenging").

It's a good-level book in tensors' algebra and calculus. Besides, physical examples help you better understand the mathematical concepts. On the other hand, I think it does not have enough applications about vector calculus (Frenet formulas, scalar potentials, Maxwell equations...).I would have also preffered it to contain more about general tensor theory: pseudotensors, curvilineal coordinates, and also about Riemann spaces. Despite this, it's an excellent book where you can see mathematics aplied to science; this is the important thing for physicist and engineers

Compared to the usual introductions to tensors for engineers (normally an appendix at the end of a transport book), this book covers a great deal more, and in excellent detail.

However, I feel this isn't always a good thing. In trying to cover so much, concepts often come out jumbled. Several who recommended this book to me praised the numerous examples, but I often found that they completely skipped explanations of *why* the mathematics applied, a simple fix that could make all examples useful across all disciplines. More importantly, I was often annoyed by how examples skipped several steps, and arrived at conclusions that are not immediately obvious to people outside of the field. As an example, I had no problem following skipped steps in heat transfer examples, but was often left confused by missing explanations in aerospace examples. The result of this is that I was often left staring at the basic tensor equations, without the additional insight I sought when purchasing this book.

The book is OK. However, I didn't notice it's a hardcover at first, so it cost me more money than I need to. Also, as a second-hand book, it cost almost the same amount of money as a new one. It's ridiculous.