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- Author: Herbert Goldstein (Author), Charles P. Poole Jr. (Author), John L. Safko (Author)
- Title: Classical Mechanics
- Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0201657023/?tag=pfamazon01-20
- Prerequisities:
- Contents:
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It isn't just you mate. I would rather be tied to a raging ball and strewn across a cactus field than have to use this book. Arnold is infinitely better if one has the mathematical background. There is also the exceedingly beautiful and concise book by Landau and Lifgarbagez.Fredrik said:I came to dislike everything about the book, the notation, the content, the presentation, and even the font, cover and smell of the book.
WannabeNewton said:There is also the exceedingly beautiful and concise book by Landau and Lifgarbagez.
Yeah I have Calkin as well and I can 100% agree with you on that; one HUGE advantage of Calkin's book is the wealth of exercises. There are many alternatives out there but for some reason Goldstein's book is constantly used.Lavabug said:But then there's Calkin's "Lagrangian & Hamiltonian Mechanics". I like it more than Landau's but it doesn't cover rigid body mechanics, Landau is the best for that.
Haha...that's good to hear. But why did you "strongly recommend" it then? (Click on one of the numbers, and you can see who voted and what they voted for).WannabeNewton said:It isn't just you mate. I would rather be tied to a raging ball and strewn across a cactus field than have to use this book.
I had a quick look at it some time ago. I got the impression that it's a great place to learn how to solve a wide range of problems in classical mechanics. It's probably the book I'd use if I ever need to do that.WannabeNewton said:There is also the exceedingly beautiful and concise book by Landau and Lifgarbagez.
Because I thought it said "Classical Mechanics" - Taylor but by the time I chose the option it was too late :( - the woes of using a phoneFredrik said:Haha...that's good to hear. But why did you "strongly recommend" it then?
Plus it has some very beautiful proofs; I remember there was one section where L&L use SR to show rigid bodies can't exist and when I saw that for the first time I was blown away lolFredrik said:I had a quick look at it some time ago. I got the impression that it's a great place to learn how to solve a wide range of problems in classical mechanics. It's probably the book I'd use if I ever need to do that.
Agree with you, V I Arnold is one my favourite writers, his superfluous mathematical knowledge is absolutely tremendous.WannabeNewton said:It isn't just you mate. I would rather be tied to a raging ball and strewn across a cactus field than have to use this book. Arnold is infinitely better if one has the mathematical background. There is also the exceedingly beautiful and concise book by Landau and Lifgarbagez.
Classical Mechanics is a branch of physics that deals with the motion of macroscopic objects, such as particles, bodies, and systems of particles. It provides a mathematical framework for understanding the behavior of objects in motion and the forces that act upon them.
Herbert Goldstein was an American physicist and mathematician who is best known for his work in the field of classical mechanics. He is the author of the renowned textbook "Classical Mechanics", which is widely used in undergraduate and graduate courses in physics and engineering.
The textbook covers a wide range of topics in classical mechanics, including Newton's laws, conservation laws, central forces, rotational motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms, and non-inertial reference frames. It also includes discussions on special relativity and the principles of least action.
While the textbook is commonly used in undergraduate courses, it is not recommended for beginners with no prior knowledge of physics or mathematics. It assumes a basic understanding of calculus and introductory physics concepts. However, it is a valuable resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of classical mechanics.
One of the key features of this textbook is its extensive and rigorous mathematical treatment of classical mechanics. It also includes numerous examples and exercises, making it a valuable resource for students and researchers alike. Additionally, the book covers advanced topics such as Hamilton-Jacobi theory and canonical transformations, which are not commonly found in other introductory textbooks on classical mechanics.