Mechanics: From Newton's Laws to Deterministic Chaos - Softcover

Scheck, Florian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 038752715X ISBN 13: 9780387527154

Publisher: Springer-Verlag, 1991

Synopsis

A course in mechanics is of primary importance in any physics teaching program. Scheck's book integrates the various aspects of classical mechanics, relativistic mechanics, and modern topics such as deterministic chaos. Both the physical approach to mechanics and its mathematical foundations are emphasised. With elementary Newtonian mechanics as a starting point, the principles of canonical mechanics in Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formulations are outlined. Rigid bodies are treated in detail, and the basic concepts of special relativity are given. Particular emphasis is put on the geometrical aspects of mechanics, such as geometrical objects on manifolds. A chapter on stability and chaos concludes the book, introducing topics such as the long-time behavior of dynamical flows, deterministic chaos, and chaotic motion in celestial mechanics.

About this title

From the Back Cover

This book covers all topics in mechanics from elementary Newtonian mechanics, the principles of canonical mechanics and rigid body mechanics to relativistic mechanics and nonlinear dynamics. It was among the first textbooks to include dynamical systems and deterministic chaos in due detail. As compared to the previous editions the present fifth edition is updated and revised with more explanations, additional examples and sections on Noether's theorem.

Symmetries and invariance principles, the basic geometric aspects of mechanics as well as elements of continuum mechanics also play an important role. The book will enable the reader to develop general principles from which equations of motion follow, to understand the importance of canonical mechanics and of symmetries as a basis for quantum mechanics, and to get practice in using general theoretical concepts and tools that are essential for all branches of physics.

The book contains more than 120 problems with complete solutions, as well as some practical examples which make moderate use of personal computers. This will be appreciated in particular by students using this textbook to accompany lectures on mechanics. The book ends with some historical notes on scientists who made important contributions to the development of mechanics.

About the Author

Florian A. Scheck, professor emeritus at University of Mainz, Germany.Born in 1936, diploma degree 1962 , Ph.D. (Dr. rer.nat) 1964, both at U. Freiburg, Germany. Habilitation at U. Heidelberg 1968. Guest scientist at the Weizmann Instituteof Science, Rehovoth, (1964 – 1966), research assistant U. Heidelberg, (1966 – 1968), research fellow at CERN, Geneva, (1968 – 1970), head of theory groupSIN/PSI, lecturer and titular professor at ETH Zurich (1970 – 1976). Professor of theoretical Physics U. Mainz (1976 – 2005). Numerous visits as guest scientist or guest professor, Helsinki, Montpellier, Marseille, San José (Costa Rica), Bogota (Columbia).

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 038752715X
• ISBN 13: 9780387527154
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 431