Introduction to Classical Mechanics

This textbook aims to provide a clear and concise set of lectures that take one from the introduction and application of Newton's laws up to Hamilton's principle of stationary action and the lagrangian mechanics of continuous systems. An extensive set of accessible problems enhances and extends the coverage.

It serves as a prequel to the author's recently published book entitled Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism based on an introductory course taught sometime ago at Stanford with over 400 students enrolled. Both lectures assume a good, concurrent, course in calculus and familiarity with basic concepts in physics; the development is otherwise self-contained.

A good introduction to the subject allows one to approach the many more intermediate and advanced texts with better understanding and a deeper sense of appreciation that both students and teachers alike can share.
Contents: PrefaceIntroductionVectorsInertial Coordinate SystemsNewton's LawsExamplesEnergyAngular MomentumSystem of ParticlesGeneralized CoordinatesHamilton's PrincipleLagrangian DynamicsHamiltonian DynamicsContinuum MechanicsWavesContinuum Mechanics of StringMechanics of FluidsProblemsAppendix A: Numerical MethodsAppendix B: Significant Names in Classical MechanicsBibliographyIndex
Readership: First-year (honors) undergraduates, other physicists and engineers interested in the topic.Classical Mechanics;Inertial Frame;Newton's Laws;Lagrangian;Lagrange's Equations;Hamilton's Principle;Hamiltonian;Hamilton's Equations;Continuum Mechanics;Waves on String;Fluid Flow;Sound Waves0Key Features:Provides a clear, self-contained, calculus-based introduction to classical mechanicsThe concise analysis advances through the lagrangian mechanics of irrotational, isentropic fluid flow and sound wavesContains an extensive set of accessible problems that enhances and extends the coverage