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PC1672 Advanced dynamics
Recommended books
The main recommended books for this course are K&K and F&C.
Other useful books on the topics covered are also listed below. References
to the first five will be made using the abbreviations K&K etc.
- [K&K] D. Kleppner and R. J. Kolenkow, An Introduction to
Mechanics (McGraw-Hill)
This covers all of the basic material for this course, including
relativistic dynamics, in Chapters 7, 8, 9 and 14. It used to be the
recommended textbook for Dynamics and so there are plenty of copies around
in the library.
- [F&C] G. R. Fowles and G. L. Cassiday, Analytical Mechanics
(Harcourt Brace)
This contains very good treatments of the topics in nonrelativistic
dynamics (chapters 5, 6 and 9) but does not cover relativistic dynamics.
- [B&O] V. D. Barger and M. G. Olsson, Classical Mechanics: A
Modern Perspective (McGraw-Hill)
This contains good treatments of the topics in nonrelativistic
dynamics discussed in this course (chapters 6--9). It also describes a number
of interesting modern applications of these ideas. Although it does contain a
brief chapter on special relativity, this does not address the topics to be
covered in this course.
- [M] J. B. Marion, Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems
(Academic)
One of the best books around on classical mechanics at this level.
The material for this course is contained in chapters 8, 10, 11 and 12. It
also contains a very good treatment of Lagrangian mechanics and related ideas
and so is recommended for PC 2401.
- [M&T] J. B. Marion and S. T. Thornton, Classical Dynamics of
Particles and Systems (Saunders College)
The 4th edition of Marion's book, with revisions to many chapters as well as
added examples.
- T. W. B. Kibble and F. H. Berkshire, Classical Mechanics
(Longman)
This covers the topics in nonrelativistic dynamics (chapters 4, 5, 6.6
and 9) but does not treat relativistic systems. It is also the recommended book
for Lagrangian mechanics (PC 2401).
- H. Goldstein, Classical Mechanics (Addison-Wesley)
This is widely regarded as THE book on classical mechanics. It is
elegant and concise, but its level is advanced.
- L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifschitz, Mechanics (Pergamon)
The main rival to Goldstein's book, this is again very elegant but
very advanced. It forms Volume 1 of the authors' monumental Course of
Theoretical Physics.
- R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton and M. Sands, The Feynman Lectures
on Physics, Volume I (Addison-Wesley)
A number of Feynman's lectures provide good introductions to some of the ideas
in this course (without too much maths). See in particular: 11, symmetries in
physics and vectors; 17, four-vectors; 12.10, inertial forces; 13, 14,
conservative forces; 7, gravity; 20, rotation in three dimensions.
- [B] M. Boas, Mathematical methods in the physical sciences
(Wiley)
You may find a maths textbook helpful for some of the techniques used in this
course. Chapters 6 and 10 are particularly relevant.
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Mike Birse
17th May 2000