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  • Textbook
  • © 2018

Classical Mechanics with Mathematica®

Birkhäuser
  • Offers a unique and broad approach to mechanics, integrating linear algebra, analysis, and differential geometry
  • Provides an illuminating historical perspective on the subject, including the models of Newton, Euler, Lagrange, and Hamilton
  • Gives a treatment of impulsive dynamics, rarely found elsewhere in the literature
  • Includes almost 200 carefully crafted excercises, frequently making use of Mathematica
  • Suitable for both graduate and advanced undergraduate students

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Table of contents (27 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvi
  2. Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Geometry

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Vector Space and Linear Maps

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 3-16
    3. Tensor Algebra

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 17-29
    4. Skew-Symmetric Tensors and Exterior Algebra

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 31-42
    5. Euclidean and Symplectic Vector Spaces

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 43-62
    6. Duality and Euclidean Tensors

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 63-67
    7. Differentiable Manifolds

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 69-96
    8. One-Parameter Groups of Diffeomorphisms

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 97-106
    9. Exterior Derivative and Integration

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 107-118
    10. Absolute Differential Calculus

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 119-135
    11. An Overview of Dynamical Systems

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 137-160
  3. Mechanics

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 161-161
    2. Kinematics of a Point Particle

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 163-178
    3. Kinematics of Rigid Bodies

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 179-198
    4. Principles of Dynamics

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 199-216
    5. Dynamics of a Material Point

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 217-249
    6. General Principles of Rigid Body Dynamics

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 251-265
    7. Dynamics of a Rigid Body

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 267-291
    8. Lagrangian Dynamics

      • Antonio Romano, Addolorata Marasco
      Pages 293-343

About this book

This textbook takes a broad yet thorough approach to mechanics, aimed at bridging the gap between classical analytic and modern differential geometric approaches to the subject. Developed by the authors from over 30 years of teaching experience, the presentation is designed to give students an overview of the many different models used through the history of the field—from Newton to Hamilton—while also painting a clear picture of the most modern developments.

The text is organized into two parts. The first focuses on developing the mathematical framework of linear algebra and differential geometry necessary for the remainder of the book. Topics covered include tensor algebra, Euclidean and symplectic vector spaces, differential manifolds, and absolute differential calculus. The second part of the book applies these topics to kinematics, rigid body dynamics, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, Hamilton–Jacobi theory, completely integrable systems, statistical mechanics of equilibrium, and impulsive dynamics, among others.  This new edition has been completely revised and updated and now includes almost 200 exercises, as well as new chapters on celestial mechanics, one-dimensional continuous systems, and variational calculus with applications.  Several Mathematica® notebooks are available to download that will further aid students in their understanding of some of the more difficult material.

Unique in its scope of coverage and method of approach, Classical Mechanics with Mathematica® will be useful resource for graduate students and advanced undergraduates in applied mathematics and physics who hope to gain a deeper understanding of mechanics. 

Authors and Affiliations

  • Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Antonio Romano

  • Dipartimento di Matematica e Applicazioni “Renato Caccioppoli”, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Addolorata Marasco

About the authors

Antonio Romano is Professor Emeritus at the Universitá degli Studi di Napoli Federico II in Naples, Italy.

Addolorata Morasco is a Researcher in mathematical physics at the Universitá degli Studi di Napoli Federico II in Naples, Italy.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 29.99 USD 49.99
40% discount Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 39.99 USD 64.99
38% discount Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 49.99 USD 89.99
44% discount Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access