Classical Mechanics:

This is a textbook on classical mechanics at the intermediate level, but its main purpose is to serve as an introduction to a new mathematical language for physics called geometric algebra. Mechanics is most commonly formulated today in terms of the vector algebra developed by the American physicist J. Willard Gibbs, but for some applications of mechanics the algebra of complex numbers is more efficient than vector algebra, while in other applica­ tions matrix algebra works better.

It is a feature of the history of the subject that the study of atomic physics was accompanied by a partial neglect of that of classical mechanics. This led to the unsatisfactory situation in which the physicist was expected to assimilate the elements of quantum and statistical mechanics without understanding the classical foundations on which these subjects were built. The situation has improved in recent years through the general lengthening of degree courses, and it is now usual to study the analytical formulation at the late under­ graduate stage. A number of excellent treatises are available, and there are also many elementary accounts to be found in general works on physical principles. However, there has been available so far no self-contained introduction to the subject which provides the beginner with a broad general review without involving him in too much detail. It is hoped that this book may bridge the gap by pro­ viding the experimental physicist with a sufficient background for his theoretical understanding and the theorist with some stimulus to study the masterpieces of the subject. The mathematical equipment required is no more than in the normal honours physics course. For the purposes of Chapters IX­ XI it includes an elementary knowledge of cartesian tensors. A familiarity with Newtonian mechanics and some acquaintance with special relativity theory are presumed, though summarizing accounts are also given.

It is a feature of the history of the subject that the study of atomic physics was accompanied by a partial neglect of that of classical mechanics. This led to the unsatisfactory situation in which the physicist was expected to assimilate the elements of quantum and statistical mechanics without understanding the classical foundations on which these subjects were built. The situation has improved in recent years through the general lengthening of degree courses, and it is now usual to study the analytical formulation at the late under­ graduate stage. A number of excellent treatises are available, and there are also many elementary accounts to be found in general works on physical principles. However, there has been available so far no self-contained introduction to the subject which provides the beginner with a broad general review without involving him in too much detail. It is hoped that this book may bridge the gap by pro­ viding the experimental physicist with a sufficient background for his theoretical understanding and the theorist with some stimulus to study the masterpieces of the subject. The mathematical equipment required is no more than in the normal honours physics course. For the purposes of Chapters IX­ XI it includes an elementary knowledge of cartesian tensors. A familiarity with Newtonian mechanics and some acquaintance with special relativity theory are presumed, though summarizing accounts are also given.

Authors: Nolting, Wolfgang
Includes all the math for a quick start
Offers a tried-and-tested approach reflecting the author's 40 years of teaching experience
Belongs to a multi-volume introduction to theoretical physics, in which one renowned textbook author covers the complete curriculum
Offers detailed explanations of the solutions to numerous problems