Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 880 pages
- Published by: Wiley December 6, 1995
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0471109371
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0471109372
-
Book Dimensions:
9.1 x 8.1 x 1.8 inches
- Weighs: 3.3 pounds
Product Description
A coherent unification of Newtonian and Lagrangian dynamics. Formulates and solves equations of motions with an emphasis on solutions of linear mechanical systems. Numerous examples, ranging from simple to complex, expose readers to a variety of nuances that arise in a broad range of extremely useful models. The 12 appendices provide underlying theoretical and mathematical support for the text thus streamlining the main presentation as well as enhancing its structure.
Publisher Description
A coherent unification of Newtonian and Lagrangian dynamics. Formulates and solves equations of motions with an emphasis on solutions of linear mechanical systems. Numerous examples, ranging from simple to complex, expose readers to a variety of nuances that arise in a broad range of extremely useful models. The 12 appendices provide underlying theoretical and mathematical support for the text thus streamlining the main presentation as well as enhancing its structure.
Reader ReviewsI was trying to learn dynamics on my own and looked through the local university library at several texts, trying to find one that would illuminate the Lagrangian method. They all cover it, but usually in ways I couldn't easily figure out from the text. Finally I stumbled on this fabulous book by James Williams of MIT. I immediately purchased my own copy and have been happily referring to it often. Prof. Williams really takes pains to explain every step. It is obviously the result of many years of teaching, because he really knows how to convey the material to those who have not yet mastered it. (It seems to me math & physics texts are often written with maximum brevity to impress colleagues who already understand it all!). There are many examples, all worked out in detail. And many additional problems for practice. There is also an interesting section on the history of science at the start -- some may find this out of place, but I think its great. One more note I found interesting and unusual about this book. On page 179 Prof. Williams introduces the "indirect" methods of analyzing dynamics: the Lagrangian & Hamiltonian approaches. He writes "We shall take Hamilton's principle as the fundamental law for deriving the equations of motion of dynamic systems... While this perspecitve is not unique, it is unconventional, since many writers designate Newton's laws as the fundamental principles of mechanical dynamics... Indeed, many writers begin with Newton's laws and then proceed to 'derive' Hamilton's principle, a process we feel is philosophically and technically inappropriate." In other words, he doesn't try to justify the Hamiltonian methods, he just takes them as facts of nature as fundamental as F = m a. I admire this approach, but at the same time I crave some additional insight into why these methods work so well -- it is astonishing magic to see the answers pop out. Perhaps those insights are in the text -- I've yet to read it all. (...)
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