Mechanics

Front Cover
John Wiley & Sons, Jan 8, 1991 - Science - 342 pages
Mechanics Second Edition P. Smith Department of Mathematics University of Keele, UK and R.C. Smith Open University, UK A revised and updated edition of the authors' highly successful earlier book, this introductory text on Mechanics is designed to give a thorough grounding in particle dynamics and elementary rigid body dynamics. Aimed at first degree students in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Engineering, the book is largely self-contained, including the necessary vector calculus, as well as background differential equations and numerical methods. Topics covered include kinematics, the principles of mechanics, work and energy, rocket dynamics, linear vibration theory, orbits, non-linear dynamics, and rotating frames. The theory and explanation are backed up by more than 360 examples and problems, with many worked through in full in the text. In this new edition, the chapter on vibrations has been completely revised and divided into two, and the original chapter on linear theory has been extended to include normal modes of multiple systems. A completely new chapter on non-linear dynamics has been added to illustrate such phenomena as limit cycles, period doubling and chaos in dynamical systems. Chapters on applications of particle dynamics and differential equations have also been re-organized. The text now includes many computer-generated diagrams.
 

Contents

Vectors
1
Exercises
29
5
44
Principles of Mechanics
66
Exercises
84
Exercises
111
Exercises
137
Exercises
152
32
235
40
242
Exercises
245
44
265
Exercises
281
Numerical Methods of Solution
299
47
307
Further Reading
314

Exercises
182
Orbits
192
Exercises
211

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About the author (1991)

P. Smith and R. C. Smith are the authors of Mechanics, 2nd Edition, published by Wiley.

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