Physics textbook covering relative kinematics/dynamics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the need for a comprehensive textbook that covers relative kinematics and dynamics, particularly focusing on non-inertial frames of reference. Participants express concerns about the inadequacy of available resources for a university course that emphasizes these topics, which includes a calculus-heavy curriculum and spans multiple areas of physics beyond mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over the lack of textbooks covering non-inertial frames of reference, highlighting the disorganization of course materials.
  • Another participant notes the difficulty in recommending a suitable textbook without knowledge of the specific course curriculum.
  • Several resources are suggested, including MIT lecture notes and videos on frames of reference, which may be useful for understanding the topic.
  • A participant questions whether "relative dynamics" refers to relativistic physics and mentions that special relativity texts often do not adequately address non-inertial frames, suggesting a specific advanced text as a reference.
  • One participant acknowledges the suggested resources as helpful for their needs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a specific textbook recommendation, and there are differing interpretations of what constitutes "relative dynamics." The discussion includes multiple viewpoints and suggestions without resolving the overall need for a suitable text.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on the course curriculum, which affects the ability to recommend a comprehensive textbook. Additionally, the discussion does not resolve the appropriateness of advanced texts for introductory courses.

PhysicsLad
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My university's professors have a pathological obsession with non inertial frames of reference which apparently has been going on for decades. As a result we work tons of these problems involving kinematics, dynamics and so on.

However, none of the books listed in the bibliography of the course include a chapter on this, and the handouts are as messy as they get (this is the first year this course is taught in English, and the teachers prepared it in a couple of months notice).

So, if I want to pass this course without losing my sanity I really need a book which covers relative kinematics and dynamics rigorously, a rigorous chapter at least. This would be my reference for the whole 8 month + course so it needs to be a decent text overall (if it covers the stuff taught after mechanics like electromagnetism, fluids, thermo... it would make it almost perfect). Everything here is also Calculus heavy.
 
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Even if we could simply point you to a book that covers non-inertial reference frames, it is difficult to recommend you a text that covers an entire 8 month course without having access to the course curriculum.
 
Do you mean relativistic physics when you say "relative dynamics"? If so then SRT text rarely give a satisfactory treatment of non-inertial frames of reference. An impressive work is

E. Gourgoulhon, Special Relativity in General Frames, Springer 2013

It's of course an overkill for an introductory course ;-).
 

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