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  • Textbook
  • © 2016

Classical Mechanics with Maxima

  • Introduces students to the use of a leading open-source computer algebra system
  • The text groups input and output so that students see precisely how Maxima commands are implemented
  • Accompanied by a set of Maxima files that allow students to replicate all of the text's material and to build on that analysis

Part of the book series: Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics (ULNP)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
  2. Basic Newtonian Physics with Maxima

    • Todd Keene Timberlake, J. Wilson Mixon Jr.
    Pages 1-23
  3. Newtonian Mechanics

    • Todd Keene Timberlake, J. Wilson Mixon Jr.
    Pages 25-56
  4. Momentum and Energy

    • Todd Keene Timberlake, J. Wilson Mixon Jr.
    Pages 57-84
  5. Oscillations

    • Todd Keene Timberlake, J. Wilson Mixon Jr.
    Pages 85-123
  6. Physics and Computation

    • Todd Keene Timberlake, J. Wilson Mixon Jr.
    Pages 125-163
  7. Nonlinearity and Chaos

    • Todd Keene Timberlake, J. Wilson Mixon Jr.
    Pages 165-220
  8. Erratum: Nonlinearity and Chaos

    • Todd Keene Timberlake, J. Wilson Mixon Jr.
    Pages E1-E1
  9. Back Matter

    Pages 221-258

About this book

This book guides undergraduate students in the use of Maxima—a computer algebra system—in solving problems in classical mechanics. It functions well as a supplement to a typical classical mechanics textbook. 

When it comes to problems that are too difficult to solve by hand, computer algebra systems that can perform symbolic mathematical manipulations are a valuable tool. Maxima is particularly attractive in that it is open-source, multiple-platform software that students can download and install free of charge. Lessons learned and capabilities developed using Maxima are easily transferred to other, proprietary software.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Berry College, Mount Berry, USA

    Todd Keene Timberlake

  • Waynesville, USA

    J. Wilson Mixon

About the authors

Todd Keene Timberlake is a Professor of Physics & Astronomy at Berry College in Mount Berry, GA. He received his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001. He has published several articles on using computers to teach physics and astronomy in the American Journal of Physics and The Physics Teacher.

J. Wilson Mixon is Dana Professor of Economics Emeritus at Berry college. Over 70 of his articles have appeared in refereed economics journals. They continue to be downloaded in significant numbers. He maintains a web site that contains a large amount of Excel-based analysis of economic principles. In the past three years, over 27,000 have visited the site.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access