
Analytical Mechanics
An Introduction
Oxford University Press
Published on 6. April 2006
Book
Hardback
788 pages
978-0-19-850802-1 (ISBN)
Description
Analytical Mechanics is the investigation of motion with the rigorous tools of mathematics. Rooted in the works of Lagrange, Euler, Poincare (to mention just a few), it is a very classical subject with fascinating developments and still rich of open problems. It addresses such fundamental questions as: Is the solar system stable? Is there a unifying 'economy' principle in mechanics? How can a point mass be described as a 'wave'? And has remarkable applications to many branches of physics (Astronomy, Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics).
This book was written to fill a gap between elementary expositions and more advanced (and clearly more stimulating) material. It takes up the challenge to explain the most relevant ideas (generally highly non-trivial) and to show the most important applications using a plain language and 'simple' mathematics, often through an original approach. Basic calculus is enough for the reader to proceed through the book. New mathematical concepts are fully introduced and illustrated in a simple, student-friendly language. More advanced chapters can be omitted while still following the main ideas. Anybody wishing to go deeper in some direction will find at least the flavour of recent developments and many bibliographical references. The theory is always accompanied by examples. Many problems are suggested and some are completely worked out at the end of each chapter. The book may effectively be used (and has been used at several Italian Universities) for undergraduate as well as for PhD courses in Physics and Mathematics at various levels.
This book was written to fill a gap between elementary expositions and more advanced (and clearly more stimulating) material. It takes up the challenge to explain the most relevant ideas (generally highly non-trivial) and to show the most important applications using a plain language and 'simple' mathematics, often through an original approach. Basic calculus is enough for the reader to proceed through the book. New mathematical concepts are fully introduced and illustrated in a simple, student-friendly language. More advanced chapters can be omitted while still following the main ideas. Anybody wishing to go deeper in some direction will find at least the flavour of recent developments and many bibliographical references. The theory is always accompanied by examples. Many problems are suggested and some are completely worked out at the end of each chapter. The book may effectively be used (and has been used at several Italian Universities) for undergraduate as well as for PhD courses in Physics and Mathematics at various levels.
Reviews / Votes
Pleasantly presented. * K. Lindsay, University of Glasgow *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Advanced undergraduate and graduate students of applied mathematics, theoretical physics, and mechanical engineering.
Illustrations
123 Zeichnungen
123 line drawings
Dimensions
Height: 250 mm
Width: 175 mm
Thickness: 46 mm
Weight
1517 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-850802-1 (9780198508021)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
08/2013
Oxford University Press
€82.94
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
Professor Antonio Fasano
Dipartimento di Matematica "U. Dini"
Universita di Firenze
Viale Morgagni 67A
50134 Firenze
Italy
Professor Stefano Marmi
Scuola Normale Superiore
Piazza dei Cavalieri 7
56126 Pisa
Italy
Dipartimento di Matematica "U. Dini"
Universita di Firenze
Viale Morgagni 67A
50134 Firenze
Italy
Professor Stefano Marmi
Scuola Normale Superiore
Piazza dei Cavalieri 7
56126 Pisa
Italy
Author
Dipartimento di Matematica, Universita di Firenze
Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa
Translation
Department of Mathematics, University of Reading
Content
1. Geometric and Kinematic Foundations of Lagrangian Mechanics ; 2. Dynamics: General Laws and the Dynamics of a Point Particle ; 3. One-dimensional Motion ; 4. The Dynamics of Discrete Systems. Lagrangian Formalism ; 5. Motion in a Central Field ; 6. Rigid Bodies: Geometry and Kinematics ; 7. The Mechanics of Rigid Bodies: Dynamics ; 8. Analytical Mechanics: Hamiltonian Formalism ; 9. Analytical Mechanics: Variational Principles ; 10. Analytical Mechanics: Canonical Formalism ; 11. Analytical Mechanics: Hamilton-Jacobi Theory and Integrability ; 12. Analytical Mechanics: Canonical Perturbation Theory ; 13. Analytical Mechanics: An Introduction to Ergodic Theory and to Chaotic Motion ; 14. Statistical Mechanics: Kinetic Theory ; 15. Statistical Mechanics: Gibbs Sets ; 16. langrangian Formalism in Continuum Mechanics ; Appendices