Would I be ready for Kleppners Intro to mechanics?

[Winzer]

Ok, so I was wondering when i am done taking Calc III would I be ready for Kleppners Intro to mechanics? I hear it is quite rigours having use of mulidemensional integration and some diff eq. But that is what Physics is all about! I believe todays physics books are just to cartoony. Is there a kleppners equivalent? What do you think?
Thanks

 

[neutrino]

Given that Calc III involves more than basic differentiation and integration, I think you should not have a problem with reading Kleppner.

 

[musicheck]

After calc 3, you can do even harder mechanics books than Kleppner. I highly recommend "Mechanics" by Landau and Lif****z if you want a top notch mechanics book. You will have to learn a little bit of math (rudimentary calculus of variations, and you'll have to look up a theorem here and there), but the book is outstanding. Not a word is wasted, and every explanation is crystal clear (although quite terse).

 

[Winzer]

What about Goldstein? I hear he has some great texts.

 

[musicheck]

Goldstein's Mechanics and Landau/Lif****z are about at the same level. I personally prefer L/L because its much shorter and doesn't feel like it rambles, but many people prefer Goldstein also. If you have library access, you could always just check out a copy of each of these books!

 

[Winzer]

I have seen goldstein at my university library. I will look for landau.
As long as they have very detailed explanations, do they?
I like detail

 

[neutrino]

But you must remember that Goldstein and Kleppner are NOT on the same level. A book like Goldstein's (typically dealing with the subject known as Analytical Mechanics or Classical Mechanics) assumes that you have done a course at the level of Kleppner's.

 

[musicheck]

Yes, that is true. At least mathematically, goldstein or landau is manageable after calc 3, but the physics might be tough going. Personally, I worked through landau with my HS physics teacher with only BC calc as background (plus independant study on a motley array of fun topics), and I found it tough but very rewarding. One other possibility would be doing kleppner and supplementing it with "perfect form" by don lemons, which is an elementary account of lagrangian/hamiltonian mechanics and other variational techniques. I read it to prepare myself for landau/lif****z, and quite liked it.

What ever you do though, HAVE FUN WITH IT!

 

[MathematicalPhysicist]

calc three is too much for kleppner, you should have taken it alongside calc 1.

 

[Winzer]

So not Goldstein yet,ok. Are there anyother books you guys recommend for studying Mechanics with math level of calc III? I would like it rigorous and highly detailed.