The Mechanical Universe: Introduction to Mechanics and Heat

By David Goodstein, Tom M. Apostol, Richard P. Olenick, et al.

Book Overview

This important textbook is based on, though independent of, an educational TV series The Mechanical Universe broadcast on public television in the United States. Its aim is to guide students and general readers to an understanding of how the physical world works; physics is presented as a human endeavour, with historical development forming a thread throughout the text. The prerequisites are minimal, only basic algebra and trigonometry since the necessary calculus is developed in the text, with physics providing the motivation. New concepts are introduced at the natural, logical point with many historical references to place physics in a social perspective. Many topics from twentieth-century physics are included, for example energy, low temperature physics, relativity and black holes. The book is attractively and profusely illustrated and will be welcomed by students and also by general readers for whom this will be a stimulating alternative to other, less-thorough treatments.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 052171592X
• ISBN13: 9780521715928
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 604 Pages
• Weight: 2.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 8.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Physics for the serious student

I found The Mechanical Universe to be among the best texts on mechanics and heat that I've ever encountered. It is clearly written, gives background material on the development of the subject, builds student knowledge with logical development and orderly progression of subject matter. The inclusion of mathematical fundamentals is well advised. Too often, the student learns his mathematics in separate courses without a sense of its applicability in physics. In The Mechanical Universe, the applications are up front, which is very much to the student's advantage. Beyond that, the book has material not often found in physics texts. For example, I used material from the book's presentation of planetary orbits in writing my book, "Extra-Terrestrial Civilizations in our Neighborhood," which develops a serious estimate of the chances that at least one planet within a thousand light years has an advanced technical civilization. H. Richard Lukens, jr.