Product Description: This innovative physics textbook intended for science and engineering majors develops classical mechanics from a historical perspective. The presentation of the standard course material includes a discussion of the thought processes of the discoverers and a description of the methods by which they arrived at their theories. However the presentation proceeds logically rather than strictly chronologically, so new concepts are introduced at the natural moment. The book assumes a familiarity with calculus, includes a discussion of rigid body motion, and contains numerous thought-provoking problems. It is largely based in content on The Mechanical Universe: Introduction to Mechanics and Heat, a book designed in conjunction with a tele-course to be offered by PBS in the Fall of 1985. The advanced edition, however, does not coincide exactly with the video lessons, contains additional material, and develops the fundamental ideas introduced in the lower-level edition to a greater degree.
Very good text on mechanics for college physics students This is a very good text on mechanics for college physics students. The level is appropriate-not too mathematical and not too theoretical. The basics are well-covered and there are interesting discussions of how such concepts as force, momentum and angular momentum are applied in daily life, e.g, why a boxer "rolls with a punch". The material on heat is not as well discussed as that on mechanics but overall it is a very good text. The problem sets are thoughtful and stimulating.
One of the best books of All time I came across the Mechanical Universe telecourses after my third year of College and really liked them.
One day I discovered this book, and then had to buy its sequel.
They are awesome in their storytelling ability and in the clarity they bring to some very difficult concepts. The depth of content is simply HUGE, from Integration and Differentiation to Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics.. I can't wait for the telecourses to come out on DVD.
In the meantime, Annenburg also sells the series on video tape to consumers, and any books by Goodstein and Apostol who contributed to this book are similarly astounding.
Consider this a recommendation for casual reading, I already had my grades for the college courses and developed my fanaticism "after" school was out.
Trust me these are to Physics and Mathematics, what "Cosmos" was to Astronomy.
An clear presentation of mechanics I saw the excellent Mechanical Universe Television series while I was in high school and I recently purchased this book. I've just finished reading this book and am simultaneously doing problems in Schaum 3000 Physics problems. This is a great reader to use as it puts the physics in the historical context and traces the reasoning these great scientists used in inducing their conclusions in the first place. The explanations are mostly very clear. Some of the historical interpretations are questionable but they do not detract from the overall value of the historical approach. This is how all physics should be taught.
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