Expose Your Students to the Elegant World of Physics in an Enticing Way
Physics from Planet Earth - An Introduction to Mechanics provides a one-semester, calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics for first-year undergraduate students studying physics, chemistry, astronomy, or engineering. Developed from classroom-tested materials refined and updated for over ten years at Colgate University, the book guides students on a journey beyond standard approaches that use blocks, projectiles, and inclined planes to grander themes involving interplanetary travel, exoplanets, asteroid collisions, and dark matter.
Beginning students are often bewildered by the rapid-fire presentation of physical concepts, mathematics, and problem-solving strategies in traditional introductory textbooks. In contrast, this text:
- Introduces the three conservation laws (momentum, energy, and angular momentum) as fundamental laws of nature from which secondary concepts, such as force and torque, are derived
- Organizes topics around the conservation laws, avoiding the typical "math overload" that confronts students at the start of standard courses
- Motivates and illustrates many topics through real, contemporary applications in astronomy, planetary science, and space travel
After reviewing the basic mathematical tools needed to study mechanics, the text addresses the conservation of momentum and applications, such as gravity-assisted space travel and rocket propulsion. It next discusses Newton's Laws and numerous space- and astronomy-based applications. The text then presents evidence for a second conservation principle, energy, which allows us to describe motion as a function of position rather than time. The book also explores the conservation of angular momentum and a variety of applications, including pulsars, orbital eccentricity, and gyroscopes. The text concludes with a discussion of dark matter, dark energy, and the ultimate fate of the universe.
This classroom-tested text provides a one-semester, calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics for first-year undergraduate students. The authors introduce the three conservation laws as fundamental laws of nature from which secondary concepts are derived and organize topics around the conservation laws. They also illustrate many topics through real, contemporary applications in astronomy, planetary science, and space travel. The book includes short exercises throughout the text as well as novel problems at the end of each chapter.
"Reading this book makes me want to teach intro physics right away!"-James Battat, Wellesley College
"? a special and unique text for teaching basic mechanics. ? the authors are excellent writers, possessing literary acuity and sensitivity in unusual measure."-Dr. Lyle Roelofs, President, Berea College
"Astronomy is overflowing with exciting discoveries, ranging from Earth-planets orbiting other stars to exotic phenomena such as black holes and neutron stars. This book brilliantly leverages these topics to entice students to a deeper study of classical mechanics."-David Charbonneau, Professor of Astronomy, Harvard University
"A refreshing departure from mainstream textbooks on classical mechanics that any ingenuous and inquisitive student will love."-Stefano Moretti, Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southampton
