Honors Classical Mechanics

From Special Relativity to Newtonian Mechanics

A modern introduction to classical mechanics that allows students to develop confidence, a broad mathematical tool kit, and a correct physical intuition while working in a collaborative and supportive environment

Undergraduate physics students must often unlearn aspects of classical mechanics as they progress through college and graduate school. This book, by introducing classical mechanics as the limiting case in special relativity of an infinite speed of light, eliminates the need for such backtracking. Starting with time/space and energy/momentum, the book allows students to solve problems addressing modern topics of research in astronomy, cosmology, and particle physics. The text then derives Newtonian mechanics, and covers the full syllabus of a conventional introductory course, but at a deeper level of mathematical sophistication for topics such as rigid body and planeta