Classical Mechanics

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring Classical mechanics is the science of how objects move: where they are, where they are going, and how they are being moved. The laws of classical mechanics can explain the motion of almost everything that we see move around us. Besides being able to explain how things move in nature, it is by understanding classical mechanics that humans have been able to invent machines that have enabled them to fly, go into space, discover life deep in the ocean, and conduct robot-assisted brain surgery. This Very Short Introduction gives a modern view of classical mechanics and enables the reader to see its relevance to today's science and technology, while covering the major concepts of the field. The book begins by focusing on the motion of a single point, introduces Newton's laws of motion, and explores Lagrangian mechanics as an energy approach toward understanding how objects move around us. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.