Electricity and Magnetism

More about the book

The study of mechanics plays a central role in physics for a variety of reasons. It was one of the earliest quantitative sciences, with immediate practical applications ranging from the motion of projectiles in warfare to the motion of the planets, predicting the seasons and eclipses. Although superseded on the very small scale by quantum theory and on the very large scale by the theory of relativity, Newton's mechanics remains adequate for addressing a wide spectrum of problems, from the kinetic theory of gases to the motion of space vehicles. Furthermore, mechanics is regarded by many as the epitome of a good scientific theory and is studied by philosophers and social scientists as an exemplar of the scientific method. The book begins with a brief historical outline of the development of mechanics, mentioning the names and dates of the main contributors and summarizing their contributions.