Theory of Screws: A Study in the Dynamics of a Rigid Body (Classic Reprint)

Robert Stawell Ball

ISBN 10: 1440040532 / ISBN 13: 9781440040535

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book delves into the 'Theory of Screws,' introducing readers to a geometrical approach to the study of rigid body mechanics. The author, a prominent scientist of the time, presents a systematic examination of screw systems, exploring their properties and interactions. The concept of screws, encompassing both a straight line and an associated linear magnitude called pitch, serves as the cornerstone of the theory. Central to the discussion is the idea of reciprocal screws, pairs of screws that exert no net effect on a body, regardless of the forces applied. The author explores the conditions under which screws are reciprocal, demonstrating that parallel or intersecting screws exhibit this property when their pitches sum to zero. Furthermore, screws at right angles are reciprocal if they intersect or if one has infinite pitch. The book's significance lies in its novel approach to mechanics, providing a powerful framework for understanding rigid body motion. Through its detailed investigation of screw systems, this text offers valuable insights into the behavior of physical systems, making it an essential resource for students and researchers in mechanics, engineering, and related fields. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781440040535_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Theory of Screws: A Study in the Dynamics of a Rigid Body (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1440040532
• ISBN 13: 9781440040535
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Physics

About this title

Synopsis

Uncover the geometry of motion with a landmark study in rigid-body dynamics. This classic work presents the Theory of Screws, linking forces, displacements, and energy through a geometric framework that clarifies complex motion.

This edition distills Ball’s rigorous ideas into a structured, readable treatment. It explains how screw theory describes equilibrium, inertia, and oscillations of a rigid body, and it shows how to apply these concepts to practical problems in mechanics. The results are built on accessible ideas, with careful development of the underlying geometry and its physical meaning.

• Foundational concepts: screws, wrenches, and reciprocal relations, with clear geometric interpretation.


• Tools for analyzing equilibrium, energy, and small oscillations of rigid bodies.


• Step-by-step development of the screw complex of various orders and their physical significance.


• Connections to classical mechanics and to later work in dynamics and geometry.

Ideal for readers of advanced mechanics, mathematical physics, and the history of geometry who seek a rigorous, insightful framework for motion and force.

About the Author

Ball-University of Cambridge