Classical Mechanics - 2nd Edition by Walter Greiner (Paperback)

About the Book

The series of texts on Classical Theoretical Physics is based on the highly successful courses given by Walter Greiner. The volumes provide a complete survey of classical theoretical physics and an enormous number of worked out examples and problems.

Book Synopsis

Newtonian Mechanics in Moving Coordinate Systems.- Newton's Equations in a Rotating Coordinate System.- Free Fall on the Rotating Earth.- Foucault's Pendulum.- Mechanics of Particle Systems.- Degrees of Freedom.- Center of Gravity.- Mechanical Fundamental Quantities of Systems of Mass Points.- Vibrating Systems.- Vibrations of Coupled Mass Points.- The Vibrating String.- Fourier Series.- The Vibrating Membrane.- Mechanics of Rigid Bodies.- Rotation About a Fixed Axis.- Rotation About a Point.- Theory of the Top.- Lagrange Equations.- Generalized Coordinates.- D'Alembert Principle and Derivation of the Lagrange Equations.- Lagrange Equation for Nonholonomic Constraints.- Special Problems.- Hamiltonian Theory.- Hamilton's Equations.- Canonical Transformations.- Hamilton-Jacobi Theory.- Extended Hamilton-Lagrange Formalism.- Extended Hamilton-Jacobi Equation.- Nonlinear Dynamics.- Dynamical Systems.- Stability of Time-Dependent Paths.- Bifurcations.- Lyapunov Exponents and Chaos.- Systems with Chaotic Dynamics.- On the History of Mechanics.- Emergence of Occidental Physics in the Seventeenth Century.

From the Back Cover

This textbook Classical Mechanics provides a complete survey on all aspects of classical mechanics in theoretical physics. An enormous number of worked examples and problems show students how to apply the abstract principles to realistic problems.

The textbook covers Newtonian mechanics in rotating coordinate systems, mechanics of systems of point particles, vibrating systems and mechanics of rigid bodies. It thoroughly introduces and explains the Lagrange and Hamilton equations and the Hamilton-Jacobi theory. A large section on nonlinear dynamics and chaotic behavior of systems takes Classical Mechanics to newest development in physics.

The new edition is completely revised and updated. New exercises and new sections in canonical transformation and Hamiltonian theory have been added.

Review Quotes

From the reviews:

"A sequel to Greiner's (TM)s Classical Mechanics: Point Particles and Relativity, this book forms part of a series of 13 textbooks on theoretical physics a ] . A major attraction is the wealth of worked examples, which renders the book very suitable as a self-contained source for learning on onea (TM)s own a ] . In conclusion, this is a worthy competitor in the market of undergraduate texts on classical mechanics a ] ." (Professor R. S. MacKay, Contemporary Physics, Vol. 45 (2), 2004)

"The book is one of the series of texts on classical theoretical physics which is based on the highly successful series of courses given by Walter Grainer a ] . It should be noted that for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students, the volumes in the series provide not only a complete survey of classical theoretical physics, mechanics and other parts of science but also an enormous number of worked examples and problems to show students clearly how to applythe abstract principles to realistic problems." (Sergei Georgievich Zhuravlev, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1016, 2003)

"This book is the last one of the series published by the author on Theoretical Physics. a ] The spirit of this series of books is to offer, in a very clear and practical way, the most important theories with many applications (under the form of examples) of present time physics. a ] An index, a table of examples and a short bibliography complete this monograph. In conclusion, this book proposes a complete clear and modern view of classical mechanics with a numerous worked and interesting examples." (StA(c)phane MA(c)tens, Physicalia, Vol. 25 (2), 2003)

From the reviews of the second edition:

"The second edition of this textbook is based on the fifth German edition of the textbook of W. Greiner and H. Diehl ... . this book can be very useful to students (and researchers) wishing to study the subject on their own. Many explicitly worked out examples and exercises will be of considerable help in deepening the understanding of new concepts and methods. ... Greiner's physics textbooks are internationally noted for their clarity and completeness. This English textbook will not be any exception." (Franz Selig, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1195, 2010)