1st Edition
Physics from Planet Earth - An Introduction to Mechanics
MATHEMATICAL TOOLBOX
Surveying the Skies
Vectors
Using Vectors to Describe Motion
CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM
The First Conservation Law: Mass, Momentum, and Rocketry
Collisions and the Center of Mass
Acceleration, Force, and Newton’s Laws
Circular Motion, Simple Harmonic Motion, and Time
Kepler’s Laws and Newton’s Discovery of Universal Gravitation
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
The Second Conservation Law: Energy
Gravitational Potential Energy and Orbital Motion
CONSERVATION OF ANGULAR MOMENTUM
Rotations and the Third Conservation Law: Angular Momentum
Angular Momentum and Its Conservation
Torque, Angular Momentum, and the Earth–Moon System
GOING BEYOND
Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe
Appendix A: Physical Units
Appendix B: Astrophysical Data
Appendix C: Physical Constants
Index
Biography
Joseph C. Amato retired from Colgate University in 2009 as the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Physics. He earned a PhD in experimental solid state physics from Rutgers University. He has conducted research in low-temperature physics, accelerator physics, granular materials, and physics education, including the design of novel laboratory apparatus and exercises for introductory physics courses.
Enrique J. Galvez is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Colgate University. He earned a PhD in physics from the University of Notre Dame. His research interests focus on atomic and optical physics, such as experimental atomic physics with Rydberg atoms, geometric phases in optics, and photon entanglement, as well as physics education, including the development of new quantum mechanics laboratories.
"Reading this book makes me want to teach intro physics right away!"
—James Battat, Wellesley College"… a special and unique text for teaching basic mechanics. … the authors are excellent writers, possessing literary acuity and sensitivity in unusual measure."
—Dr. Lyle Roelofs, President, Berea College"Astronomy is overflowing with exciting discoveries, ranging from Earth-planets orbiting other stars to exotic phenomena such as black holes and neutron stars. This book brilliantly leverages these topics to entice students to a deeper study of classical mechanics."
—David Charbonneau, Professor of Astronomy, Harvard University"A refreshing departure from mainstream textbooks on classical mechanics that any ingenuous and inquisitive student will love."
—Stefano Moretti, Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southampton
