An Introduction to Mechanics

Authors: D. Kleppner & R. Kolenkow

Introduction to Mechanics
- Scope of mechanics – Click Here
- Newton’s laws of motion – Click Here
- Dimensional analysis and units – Click Here
Kinematics
- Motion in one dimension – Click Here
- Vector analysis and motion in two dimensions – Click Here
- Relative velocity and reference frames
Newton’s Laws
- Concept of force
- Applications of Newton’s second law
- Examples of forces: gravitational, normal, tension, friction
Work and Energy
- Work done by a force
- Kinetic energy and the work-energy theorem
- Potential energy and conservative forces
- Energy conservation principles
Momentum
- Linear momentum and impulse
- Conservation of momentum
- Collisions: elastic and inelastic
- Center of mass and motion of a system of particles

Rotational Motion
- Angular velocity and angular acceleration
- Rotational kinematics and dynamics
- Moment of inertia and torque
- Conservation of angular momentum
Gravitation
- Newton’s law of gravitation
- Gravitational potential energy
- Orbital mechanics: Kepler’s laws and satellite motion
Oscillations
- Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
- Energy in SHM
- Damped and driven oscillations
- Resonance phenomena
Non-inertial Reference Frames
- Accelerated reference frames
- Pseudo-forces (e.g., Coriolis force, centrifugal force)
- Applications in rotating frames of reference

Rigid Body Dynamics
- Rotational motion of rigid bodies
- Stability and toppling
- Precession and gyroscopic effects
Mechanics of Continuous Media
- Stress and strain
- Fluid mechanics basics
- Waves in elastic media
Relativity
- Einstein’s principle of relativity
- Lorentz transformations
- Relativistic energy and momentum