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Introduction to Classical MechanicsWith Problems and SolutionsDavid MorinCambridge University Press |
Corrections/typos/errata/clarifications (pdf)
Sample chapters (pdf draft versions):
Contents/Preface
Chap1 (Strategies for solving problems)
Chap6 (The Lagrangian method)
Chap11 (Relativity - kinematics)
Index to limericks, by first line
Instructor support via Cambridge University Press website (solutions, exam/desk copies, etc.)
Buy online (Cambridge University Press, Amazon)
Additional material: Version 2 of Chapter 15 on Hamiltonian Mechanics is now posted. (Section titles: Energy, Hamilton's equations, Legendre transforms, Three more derivations, Phase space and Liouville's theorem.) It has the same text as Version 1 but contains some new problems and exercises.
If you like the limericks, here's some more physics humor (not related to the book) that you might enjoy.
Other works in progress:
Probability: On the math side of things, an introduction to combinatorics and probability is located here (Version 4, August 30, 2009). This file contains the first three chapters (plus some appendices) of a potential book on Probability and Statistics. It does not assume knowledge of calculus. The first three chapters are titled ``Combinatorics,'' ``Probability,'' and ``Distributions.'' And Appendix B gives a nice little introduction to the natural logarithm, e.
Waves: The following files are a beginning draft of a Waves book designed for college sophomores. The Fourier and Interference chapters are a little more polished than the others. There will certainly be typos and things that I will change, but there's a lot of nice material here as it stands. This project has taken a back seat to the E&M one below, so it will be a while before the book comes out.
1. Oscillations
2. Normal modes
3. Fourier analysis
4. Transverse waves
5. Longitudinal waves
6. Dispersion
7. 2D waves and other topics
8. Electromagnetic waves
9. Interference and diffraction
10. Intro to Quantum Mechanics
Electricity and magnetism: I am presently working on a 3rd edition of Edward M. Purcell's book, Electricity and Magnetism, to be published by Cambridge University Press. The main differences from the 2nd edition will be the conversion from Gaussian to SI units, and the addition of many solved problems/examples. The text (except for unit changes) will remain essentially the same; the modifications will generally come in the form of additions, not changes. It should hit the bookshelves by late 2012 (and it will be much less expensive than the 2nd edition).
The debate between Gaussian and SI units often elicits strong opinions. Most people nowadays fall on the SI side, but let me nevertheless make a few comments. First, it is a moot point to argue over which system is better for teaching college freshmen or sophomores. The fact of the matter is that the SI system has become far more widely accepted. The 2nd edition is out of print [update: temporarily reissued by Cambridge University Press until the 3rd edition comes out], and it is a shame to see such a wonderful book fade away because fewer and fewer instructors are adopting it in their classes, mainly because of the units. Second, for those who still like to work in Gaussian units, or for instructors who want their students to have exposure to both systems, I have created a lengthy appendix that lists every main result in the book, with the SI and Gaussian versions side by side. A little time spent looking at this appendix will make it clear how to go from one system to the other. I will also create another appendix that discusses in detail the differences (historical/physical/philosophical) between the two systems.
Problem of the week: A set of (very hefty) problems, some of which appear in my mechanics book, is located here.
And some non-physics rhymes you might enjoy are located here.
Contact: morin@physics.harvard.edu