Goldstein - CM - chapter guidance?

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The discussion centers on the challenges faced by a student using Goldstein's book on Classical Mechanics, which is considered advanced and not suitable for beginners. The student is studying applied mechanics at a first-year university level, focusing on statics and dynamics, but finds the book lacks foundational content in these areas. Participants note that Goldstein primarily covers advanced topics like Lagrangian and Hamiltonian equations, with little emphasis on basic statics. It is suggested that intermediate-level texts may better bridge the gap for students at this stage. Overall, Goldstein is recognized as a comprehensive resource for classical mechanics, but not for introductory learning.
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Not sure if this thread fits here, anyway.
My teacher recommended this book so I decided to check it out. However, I don't really understand what to read from it. We've been doing moment of force, particle systems and static equilibrium so far. This stuff only seems to be in the first "introductory" chapter in the book. There's also chapters about lagrangian- & hamiltonian equations, none of which I've heard of before.
If anyone has knowledge of the book, could you tell me some chapters that are about statics and the things I've been studying?
 
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Inertigratus said:
If anyone has knowledge of the book, could you tell me some chapters that are about statics and the things I've been studying?
Goldstein is a rather advanced book on Classical Mechanics. What are you currently studying and at what level? You won't find much in Goldstein on basic statics. (There are intermediate level books on Classical Mechanics that bridge the gap.)
 
It seems so, my teacher said he used it and that it's like a CM "bible".
Applied mechanics; statics and dynamics. First year at university level.
 
Inertigratus said:
It seems so, my teacher said he used it and that it's like a CM "bible".
Applied mechanics; statics and dynamics. First year at university level.

Ah. Well, it's true that it certainly is THE book for classical mechanics, but it's an upper undergraduate/graduate level text. I'm not sure why your professor recommended you look at it for your course...
 
I see. So it doesn't explain much of the basics of statics and dynamics?
By basics, I mean one level ahead of what's taught in "high school". Vector based physics.
 
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