Introduction to Mechanics, Second Edition offers a modern introduction to Newtonian dynamics and the basics of special relativity. The present edition covers almost all the topics specified in the mechanics syllabus of most Indian universities. It preserves the emphasis laid on the fundamental principles of mechanics and introduction of modern topics (as in the earlier edition), such as symmetries, nonlinear dynamics and presentation of Newton's laws as a differential equation. The programming language Python is used to solve a large number of differential equations numerically and for many plots.
For computer programs, class PPTs, figures and discussions, please visit the author’s webpage. Link to author’s webpage: http://home.iitk.ac.in/~mkv/Mechanics-book/Welcome.html
Mahendra Verma obtained his doctoral degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. He joined the Department of Physics, IIT Kanpur in 1994. He is a non-linear dynamist whose chief interest lies in theoretical and computational studies of turbulence and nonlinear physics. Currently he is working on magnetohydrodynamic turbulence, dynamo and convective turbulence. Dr Verma is also interested in atmospheric and computational physics. He is a recipient of the Swarnajayanti fellowship.
Preface to the Second Edition Preface to the First Edition Notation 1 History of mechanics 2 Newton’s laws of motion 3 Forces 4 Kinematics vs dynamics 5 Motion in one dimension 6 Numerical solution of newton’s equations 7 Phase space description of mechanical systems 8 Symmetry properties of newton’s equation 9 Two-dimensional motion; central force problem 10 Three-dimensional motion 11 Energy 12 Motion in a noninertial reference frame 13 Conservation of linear momentum and centre of mass 14 Collisions 15 Rotation dynamics: definitions 16 Rigid body dynamics 17 Nonlinear dynamics and chaos 18 Statics 19 Mechanics of solids 20 Mechanics of fluids 21 Special theory of relativity: kinematics 22 Relativistic dynamics Epilogue Appendix A: Present paradigm of physics and science Appendix B: Dimensional analysis and estimation Appendix C: Python programming language Appendix D: Matlab, Scilab and Octave Appendix E: Tensors and moment of inertia tensor Appendix F: Vector operations on vector and scalar fields Appendix G: Important astronomical data Appendix H: Important physical constants Appendix I: Hyperbolic functions Appendix J: Torque-free precession revisited Answers to selected exercises Selected references Index