Classical Mechanics Textbooks: A Must-Have for Physics Students

AI Thread Summary
A sophomore in physics seeks recommendations for free online books on classical mechanics and vibrations and waves. Several resources are shared, including lecture notes from universities such as the University of Miami and UT Austin, which provide comprehensive materials on mechanics. Specific links to free PDFs are provided, including "Classical Mechanics: A Critical Introduction" and course materials from UT Austin. The discussion also touches on the legality of sharing certain textbooks, with a participant acknowledging the potential copyright issues of a recommended PDF. The conversation humorously explores the idea of reading physics textbooks in various situations, emphasizing the importance of utilizing time effectively for study.
boringelectron
I'm sophomore in physics looking for best free books for classical mechanics and for vibrations and waves.

Anyone with references pleaseThank you
 
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boringelectron said:
I'm sophomore in physics looking for best free books for classical mechanics and for vibrations and waves.

Anyone with references pleaseThank you
http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/301/301.pdf
http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/celestial/Celestial/Celestial.html
https://www.physics.upenn.edu/sites/www.physics.upenn.edu/files/Classical_Mechanics_a_Critical_Introduction_0.pdf
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/classical/texfiles/2005/book/classical.pdf

There are many more. But, for the level you are looking, probably you should start here
There is a zip file for course materials in that page (direct link), download it and unzip it. Go through the transcripts subfolder and it makes a great offline resource for learning Classical Mechanics.
Open start.html and it will provide you with links to download problem sets.
And if you prefer videos of the transcripts, here they are.

Lastly,look through this thread for many free books on many topics.

Hope this helps
 
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An Introduction To Mechanics by Kleppner, Kolenkow is a good book. I was recommended this book here, and later by some professors as well. Though I haven't read it in full, it's good.
 
Wrichik Basu said:
An Introduction To Mechanics by Kleppner, Kolenkow is a good book. I was recommended this book here, and later by some professors as well. Though I haven't read it in full, it's good.
OP is looking for free online books.
 
smodak said:
OP is looking for free online books.
I've got a free pdf version. That's why I recommended it.
 
Wrichik Basu said:
I've got a free pdf version. That's why I recommended it.
That can't be legal.
 
  • #10
smodak said:
That can't be legal.
Yes, you're right. Just verified and deleted it. Actually a friend of mine had given it to me, so I never checked out copyright. I also have the hard copy, I kept the soft copy because I cannot always take the hard copy to all places, like washrooms :wideeyed:
 
  • #11
Wrichik Basu said:
I also have the hard copy, I kept the soft copy because I cannot always take the hard copy to all places, like washrooms :wideeyed:
Yes, I wish publishers will give rights to the soft copy when a hard copy is purchased - even the DRM-ed ones.
 
  • #12
Wrichik Basu said:
Yes, you're right. Just verified and deleted it. Actually a friend of mine had given it to me, so I never checked out copyright. I also have the hard copy, I kept the soft copy because I cannot always take the hard copy to all places, like washrooms :wideeyed:
I wonder what's the use of analytical-mechanics textbooks in washrooms ;-)...
 
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  • #13
vanhees71 said:
I wonder what's the use of analytical-mechanics textbooks in washrooms ;-)...
Best time to read physics. Try it :)
 
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  • #14
vanhees71 said:
I wonder what's the use of analytical-mechanics textbooks in washrooms ;-)...
When you have a huge amount of school syllabus to complete, but you still want to read out of passion, then you'll have to utilise every bit of time. :olduhh:
 
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