Introduction to Classical Mechanics: With Problems and Solutions
Reviews (115)
Comparison of the canonical intermediate mechanics texts: Kleppner, Taylor, and Morin.
Taylor’s Mechancis is exceptionally well written as compared to the other popular mechanics books at about this same level (Kleppner, Morin). However, the book is unrigorous in both its use of mathematics (after all, it's a physics book!) and its treatment of physics, especially angular rotation and the variational dynamics. That makes it a good follow up to something like Halliday for students who are content to use math and do physics heuristically; that is to say, for most engineering and science students, this book makes for a good, gentle introduction to advanced topics in dynamics. However, Taylor is not suitable as a either and introductory or intermediate text in mechanics for students interested in graduate studies which will depend on this material. Kleppner rigorously derives the classical physics theorems in limited cases, using rigorous but elementary calculus, making it a more suitable introduction to the subject. Morin unrigorously derives the classical physics theorems in generality using huristic vector calculus, making it a much more suitable follow up to Kleppner and prerequisite to Goldstein (which is the standard doctoral text). Notice, though, that Taylor covers significantly more topics than Kleppner and Morin combined. This is in the nature of things: heuristic examples are easier to explain than theorems and proofs, which affords Taylor the time to introduce some amazing applications of the theory, for example nonlinear dynamics and fluid dynamics. If you are looking for a cohesive introduction to these tangential topics, and are content to do things heuristically, there might not be a better book than Taylor. I scored Morin 4/5 because it is the only book at this level which provides a rigorous accounting of physics of angular dynamics in the general case. However, the chatty style--not just the random poems, but also in the excessive number of casual “remarks” throughout--detracts from the physics. In particular, the chapter on Lagrangian Mechanics is terribly written. There again, the treatment is more correct but less clear than in Taylor, but in this instance the line of argumentation is nearly unintelligible on a first reading. However, it should be noted that almost no books prove, in the special cases where such a proof is possible, that Newtonian and Lagrangian physics are equivalent. They all, for whatever reason, simply argue the “if” or the “only if” part of the correspondence. In reality, Morin should probably deal with Lagrangian physics as he does angular physics: break it into two chapters, the first dealing with the most important special case (Cartesian degrees of freedom), the second dealing with the general case (generalized degrees of freedom). As it stands, none of the introductory Lagrangian Mechancis books, including Goldstein, do this--however, Goldstein is at least explicit enough with the definitions so that the untreated correspondence can easily be worked out by a student on a first reading. Furthermore, it should be noted that the treatment of Special Relativity follows the “curious paradox” line of reasoning, rather than the “homomorphic equations” line of reasoning. This is the standard, but by definition it is unintuitive. Since physical--in particular, mechanical and electrical--intuition is of paramount importance in the study and application of physics, I also think this standard treatment is rather useless. Physics Professors seem to insist on treating Special Relativity after Classical Mechanics but before Classical Electromagnetism, which precludes the line of argumentation which seemed to inspire Einstein in the first place: that Maxwell's Equations, including the constant factors, ought to have the same form under suitable changes of coordinates. For this reason, I think the best treatments of special relativity can be found in books like Griffiths and Jackson, rather than books like Morin and Taylor. (Indeed, Taylor explicitly refers the reader to Griffiths, which is ridiculous since both books deploy the same mathematical machinery).
The chapter material is introductory, but the chapter problems are not for the novice
One of my favorite textbooks on classical mechanics. I enjoy this textbook because it doesn't shy away from the derivations of the equations used and it has a lot of insightful footnotes. Some of them point out common misunderstandings of the concepts presented, and others are just interesting ways of looking at the topics presented. I wouldn't recommend this as a first college textbook on classical mechanics, though. I think it functions better as a second read on classical mechanics. David Morin's book will help you flesh out the fine details of classical mechanics and really solidify your knowledge. The chapters themselves are very good, but the problems at the end of the chapters are my favorite part. David Morin did a fantastic job collecting what you would call "cute" problems. The problems will really help you build your problem solving skills. You will be forced to be creative (figuring out how to correctly set up the problem), and systematic (checking limits and such). I repeat, the material itself is introductory classical mechanics, but the problems are tougher and not "plug and chug" problems and, in my opinion, should be attempted after already learning from an easier textbook and doing easier problems from another textbook. To reiterate once again...A lot of reviews might complain about this book and give it less stars because they feel like it isn't introductory. However, the material really is standard classical mechanics. The low reviews are, in my opinion, by people who are frustrated by some of the tougher problems and who don't have as strong problem solving skills as they initially thought they did. Buy this book if you are looking to really work out your problem solving skills and are aiming to become a physicist. Those who simply want to learn classical mechanics and do simple "plug and chug" problems will have to look elsewhere.
Good third year undergrad mechanics
This is a very well written book. Good problem sets that build student knowledge along with thorough solutions provided after the problem sets. This would not be a good book for either first year physics students or first year honors physics students. They may be using this for first year honors at Harvard, but it is doubtful that the students are absorbing more that 50% of the information. There may be the exceptional student who is already grounded in Calculus and intro diff eqns along with a well developed AP physics, but most first year honors will be in over their heads. With that said, this would be a very good third year mechanics course text. The only real shortcoming is it is missing information on Hamiltonian, non-linear, chaos and such, but that could easily be supplemented during second semester. This treatise is much much better that Taylor's Classical Mechanics which is overly verbose, introduces other nomenclature at the same time it is introducing mechanics (no need to add to student's burdens by using different nomenclature than they are used to). Taylor's examples, problem and answer sets are very weak and add little value to that text. This particular text should be strongly considered for third year physics mechanics along.
Lots of worked examples are a plus!
So I have used Taylors book as an undergraduate as well as Goldstein and the Marion/Thornton books for graduate courses. What makes this book so attractive is the wealth of fully worked examples of problems that are unusual and interesting. Most other text books seem to rework the standard problems without deviating too much away from those. Morin adds entertaining twists and variations that are genuinely thought provoking. This book is definitely pitched at undergraduates...for instance while there is a section on Lagrangian mechanics, the related Hamiltonian and its canonical transformations are not. But a graduate student can still get a wealth of deeper conceptual understanding, which may help with the dreaded qualifying exams. If you are into mechanics and need a great learning resource, this is highly recommended.
Very well written
I finally got around to reading this book I bought several years ago. Not only did I find it the best (for me) 'introductory' book on classical mechanics, I also find it to be one of the best physics books I have had the pleasure of reading. I put 'introductory' in quotes as it is non-trivial but the material is there if you are willing to put in the time. In my case, the author seemed to be reading my mind and answering all the questions I might have before I get a chance to ask them.
Excellent companion to Goldstein
Excellent coverage and hand-holding explanations of what will be, for most undergrad physics majors, their first truly difficult class. Morin knows from the outset what things will be confusing and tells you not to worry, the full meaning/import of a definition or equation will come later in the chapter or else he just explains right there after introducing it. Compared to Marion and Thornton and Goldstein, Morin does the best job of introducing Lagrangian mechanics, angular momentum, special relativity, and orbital mechanics I've seen, even if at the time I was taking my undergrad CM the material seemed REALLY REALLY difficult! The examples in the book help you solve the end-of-chapter problems. Many of the worked-out problems are very good preparation for graduate preliminary exams for CM. It is essential to understand every example problem and worked-out example, and to be able to solve a lot of the solution-less problems as well. When I took CM as a grad student this book came in very handy. It's somewhat more advanced than the more common undergrad CM texts, and introduces a lot of concepts that Goldstein covers in a very obtuse, formalism-laden way. I think this book is very very good preparation for Goldstein. Even if you are past your undergrad class and about to take a Goldstein-based CM class, buy this book and refer to it often. It's only real weakness is the less in-depth coverage of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics as compared to Goldstein. There is a freely-downloadable extra chapter on Hamiltonians on the author's web site, which helps to make up for this a bit.
Be aware of restricted edition
Not for book itself. The one I got is restricted South Asia edition and it is clearly printed on the cover that circulating outside of these territories is unauthorized and illegal. But I am in US. So has to return. Check before you buy.
Exceptional Mechanics Textbook
This is an exceptional textbook for statics and dynamics. I regret not purchasing it when I was taking the course, because it is vastly superior to the recommended textbook we used. Unlike the required book, it is concise and succinct. The problem sets are one of the best features of this book. They're challenging. Each problem is given 1 to 3 stars to denote the difficulty level, and the three star problems definitely are difficult. However, there are well written solutions to a large number of the problems included, which is a nice touch. I would highly recommend getting this textbook as a supplement when taking this class, even it if it is only for the extra problems. This book also has a sense of humor. There are limericks throughout the book, as well as conversational asides that provide clarifications and helpful hints. For example, the section explaining linearity and the superposition principle includes: "For equations with one main condition (Those linear), you have permission To take your solutions, With firm resolutions, And add them in superposition."
Great book
This is a fantastic book, very helpful. I just wish there would also be problems on Hamiltonian mechanics.
Introduction to classical mechanics
It is a good book with modern languages and examples.
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