A First Course in Mechanics

Aims to provide an understanding of Newtonian mechanics using the tools of modern algebra. Early chapters introduce the fundamentals of the motion of rigid bodies: Newton's laws, forces, linear and angular momentum, and the conservation of energy. The theory of Lagrangian mechanics is also covered.

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This textbook provides a simple introduction to mechanics for students coming to the subject for the first time. The text is based on courses given to first and second year undergraduates and has been written with this audience very much in mind. Prerequisites are only a basic familiarity with vectors, matrices and elementary calculus. The book aims to provide an understanding of Newtonian mechanics using the tools of modern algebra. The first chapters introduce the fundamentals of the motion of rigid bodies: Newton's laws, forces, linear and angular momentum, and the conservation of energy. In the later chapters the theory of Lagrangian mechanics is developed and extended to cover applications to impulsive forces.