Stephen Thornton is Professor of Physics at the University of Virginia. He has over 120 research publications in
experimental nuclear physics and served as the initial Director of the Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics.
He has been a Fulbright fellow (twice) and a Max Planck fellow to do research in Germany. In recent years he has
become more involved in physics and science education, having served as Chair of AAPT's Committee on Science Education
for the Public and as President of the Virginia Association of Science Teachers. He has developed distance learning
physics and physical science courses for K-12 teachers and taught courses and workshops for thousands of K-12 teachers,
including many websites with hands-on activities. He has revitalized the lab/workshop taken by engineering students.
He is the author of three physics textbooks, including CLASSICAL DYNAMICS with Jerry Marion and MODERN PHYSICS
with Andrew Rex, both published by Thomson - Brooks/Cole.
Marion, Jerry B. : Late of University of Maryland
Summary
This best-selling classical mechanics text, written for the advanced undergraduate one- or two-semester course,
provides a complete account of the classical mechanics of particles, systems of particles, and rigid bodies. Vector
calculus is used extensively to explore topics. The Lagrangian formulation of mechanics is introduced early to
show its powerful problem solving ability.. Modern notation and terminology are used throughout in support of the
text's objective: to facilitate students' transition to advanced physics and the mathematical formalism needed
for the quantum theory of physics. CLASSICAL DYNAMICS OF PARTICLES AND SYSTEMS can easily be used for a one-or
two-semester course, depending on the instructor's choice of topics.
New to the Edition
- New problems and examples have been added to provide students with ample opportunity to master the material.
- The Fifth Edition features a classic and accessible design to engage today's visually oriented students.
- To reinforce and enhance the connection between important content points and supporting visuals, new FIGURE
CAPTIONS accompany the text art.
Features
- Written for maximum flexibility, this best-selling junior level mechanics text is easily adaptable to any
length-one-or two-semester-or focus of course.
- LAGRANGIAN and HAMILTONIAN DYNAMICS are introduced early in the text.
- This text has an entire chapter on NONLINEAR METHODS.
- NUMERICAL METHODS PROBLEMS are included for students to solve using a computer.
Table of Contents
1. Matrices, Vectors, and Vector Calculus.
2. Newtonian Mechanics--Single Particle.
3. Oscillations.
4. Nonlinear Oscillations and Chaos.
5. Gravitation.
6. Some Methods in the Calculus of Variations.
7. Hamilton's Principle--Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics.
8. Central-Force Motion.
9. Dynamics of a System of Particles.
10. Motion in a Noninertial Reference Frame.
11. Dynamics of Rigid Bodies.
12. Coupled Oscillations.
13. Continuous Systems: Waves.
14. The Special Theory of Relativity.
Appendices.
Selected References.
Bibliography.
Answers to Even-Numbered Problems.
