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New Foundations for Classical Mechanics

  • Book
  • © 1999

Overview

Authors:
  1. David Hestenes

    1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA

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Part of the book series: Fundamental Theories of Physics (FTPH, volume 99)

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
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  2. Origins of Geometric Algebra

    Pages 1-38

  3. Developments in Geometric Algebra

    Pages 39-119

  4. Mechanics of a Single Particle

    Pages 120-194

  5. Central Forces and Two-Particle Systems

    Pages 195-251

  6. Operators and Transformations

    Pages 252-333

  7. Many-Particle Systems

    Pages 334-418

  8. Rigid Body Mechanics

    Pages 419-511

  9. Celestical Mechanics

    Pages 512-573

  10. Relativistic Mechanics

    Pages 574-660

  11. Back Matter

    Pages 661-703
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Keywords

About this book

(revised) This is a textbook on classical mechanics at the intermediate level, but its main purpose is to serve as an introduction to a new mathematical language for physics called geometric algebra. Mechanics is most commonly formulated today in terms of the vector algebra developed by the American physicist J. Willard Gibbs, but for some applications of mechanics the algebra of complex numbers is more efficient than vector algebra, while in other applications matrix algebra works better. Geometric algebra integrates all these algebraic systems into a coherent mathematical language which not only retains the advantages of each special algebra but possesses powerful new capabilities. This book covers the fairly standard material for a course on the mechanics of particles and rigid bodies. However, it will be seen that geometric algebra brings new insights into the treatment of nearly every topic and produces simplifications that move the subject quickly to advanced levels. That has made it possible in this book to carry the treatment of two major topics in mechanics well beyond the level of other textbooks. A few words are in order about the unique treatment of these two topics, namely, rotational dynamics and celestial mechanics.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA

    David Hestenes

About the author

David Hesteness is awarded the Oersted Medal for 2002.
The Oersted Award recognizes notable contributions to the teaching of physics. It is the most prestigious award conferred by the American Association of Physics Teachers.

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