Which Book is Best for Learning Dynamics in Engineering Mechanics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for books on dynamics within the context of engineering mechanics. Participants share their experiences with various textbooks, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the challenges faced in learning dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants recommend "Vector Mechanics - Dynamics" by Beer for its examples and exercises.
  • Others suggest Hibbeler's books, noting that older editions can be more cost-effective while containing the same material.
  • One participant expresses difficulty with the Beer and Johnson 7th edition, finding it hard to read and lacking directness.
  • Another participant appreciates Hibbeler's books for their illustrations but criticizes the dynamics book for needing more explanations and worked examples.
  • Some participants at SIUE express a strong dislike for Hibbeler's dynamics book, citing a lack of intuitive explanations compared to statics.
  • One participant acknowledges that while Hibbeler's book has many examples, they feel the examples are simpler than the homework problems.
  • Another participant agrees that Hibbeler's examples are insufficient and emphasizes the need for a strong foundation in statics to succeed with the dynamics material.
  • A participant shares their background of struggling with physics and statics, which contributed to their challenges in dynamics.
  • One participant mentions using "Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics" by Pytel and Kiusalaas, noting the necessity of a solid vector calculus foundation for understanding the material.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions regarding the effectiveness of Hibbeler's dynamics book, with some appreciating it while others find it lacking. There is no consensus on a single best book, as experiences and preferences vary widely.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the importance of a strong background in statics and vector calculus for understanding dynamics, indicating that their experiences with prior courses may have influenced their views on the textbooks.

Undergrad-ME
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hi folks,I need ur recommendations on a good dynamics book or books.
thanks for replies
 
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I used Vector Mechanics - Dynamics by BEER. It's a decent book with good number of example problems and tons of exercise problems to choose from.

Hibbeller also has good books on Dynamics.

Try to buy an old edition and you will save a lot. The material is same.
 
thanks for your contribution.
I'm currently using beer johnson 7th edition, I don't know, but for some reason I've found this book hard to read. It as if the author never get to the point.
 
FWIW, I used R.C. Hibbeler's static and dynamics. I think it was 3rd or 4th edition. I liked it because it had a lot of good pictures.
 
we hate Hibbeler at SIUE.. his mechanics book was pretty decent.. so was statics.. but the book for Dynamics needs more explanation, and more worked examples... because that class isn't as intuitive as some of the other stationary physics in mechanics/statics books for the wrote.
 
The Hibbeler's book is awesome. There are so many examples in there, and a tons of problems. You can pretty much learn the whole course by just looking at the examples.
 
except that most of the examples are fairly simple compared to the problems in the dynamics book...
 
batman394 said:
we hate Hibbeler at SIUE.. his mechanics book was pretty decent.. so was statics.. but the book for Dynamics needs more explanation, and more worked examples... because that class isn't as intuitive as some of the other stationary physics in mechanics/statics books for the wrote.
You know, now that you mention it, I think I felt the same way when I was in school when it came to the dynamics. I can always use more pictures though. That seems to be my number one gripe with any text.
 
I agree that Hibbeler was rather skimpy on the examples and that the level of difficulty was a rather big jump from example to homework at the end of the section. However, it is still a good book, but it requires that you have a STRONG foundation in statics, VERY strong.
 
  • #10
problem was is.. i went from a poor physics and statics background to a demanding dynamics class.. because i had a statics professor that just did problems with no explanation.. and my physics professor for 2 semesters was a new guy and couldn't explani anything to us.
 
  • #11
Does anyone have the solution manuals to the Hibbeler textbook?
 
  • #12
The solutions manual is available via ebay.
 
  • #13
i used Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics by Andrew Pytel and Jaan Kiusalaas, i thought it was ok, but it's going to be hell if you don't have a good vector calculus foundation.
 

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