Help with choosing interesting and useful books

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on recommended books for a university course in Dynamics and Vector Calculus. Key suggestions include "An Elementary Treatise on Dynamics of a Particle and of Rigid Bodies" by S.L. Loney for dynamics, although it is noted for its mathematical complexity. "Engineering Mechanics - Dynamics" by A. Pytel and J. Kiusalaas is also recommended. For Vector Calculus, "Div, Grad, Curl and All That" by H.M. Schey is highlighted as an excellent resource for beginners. Additionally, John Taylor's "Classical Mechanics" is strongly endorsed for its comprehensive coverage of the dynamics syllabus.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Ordinary Differential Equations
  • Familiarity with Newtonian Dynamics
  • Basic knowledge of Vector Calculus concepts
  • Ability to interpret mathematical texts
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "Classical Mechanics" by John R. Taylor for comprehensive dynamics coverage
  • Explore "Engineering Mechanics - Dynamics" by A. Pytel and J. Kiusalaas for practical applications
  • Study "Div, Grad, Curl and All That" by H.M. Schey for foundational Vector Calculus
  • Consult course instructors for personalized book recommendations
USEFUL FOR

Students enrolled in university-level Dynamics and Vector Calculus courses, educators seeking teaching resources, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of these mathematical subjects.

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I am about to start a second year university course called dynamics and vector calculus and there is not very much (or any information) on good books to help with the course and I was wondering if anybody out there knew of some helpful/interesting books in theses subjects?
The course syllabus is:
Dynamics
• Introduction to Dynamics, Ordinary Differential Equations, Newtonian dynamics, Reference frames. Projectiles.
• Momentum. Variable mass problems. Rocket equation.
• Simple harmonic motion. Harmonic oscillator. Damped SHM. Forced SHM.
• Conservation laws. Conservative forces. Conservation of energy and momentum.
• Central forces. Potential. Angular Momentum. Orbits.
• Inverse square forces. Gravity. Kepler’s laws.
• Coupled oscillators. Normal modes. Compound pendulums.

Vector Calculus
• Introduction to fields. Equipotentials. Scalar and vector fields.
• Gradient. Divergence. Curl. Laplacian operator. Vector operator identities.
• Line integrals, surface integrals, and volume integrals – in Cartesian and curvilinear coordinates.
• Divergence Theorem. Flux and the continuity equation. Gauss Law.
• Stokes’ Theorem, Scalar potential. Conservative forces and fields.
• Poisson’s equation. Vector potential.
• Curvilinear surfaces. Line, surface, volume elements, div, grad, curl in orthogonal curvilinear
coordinates.
Thank you
 
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"An elementary treatise on dynamics of a particle and of rigid bodies" by S.L.Loney is good but it is quite "mathematical", also I'm not sure if it is easily available in the market.
Also try "Engineering Mechanics - Dynamics" by A. Pytel and J. Kiusalaas.
For vector calculus " div,grad,curl and all that" by H.M.Schey is really good for beginners.
However since you'll get thousand answers from thousand people, the best way is to ask your course instructor.
 

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