1st Edition

Physics from Planet Earth - An Introduction to Mechanics

By Joseph C. Amato, Enrique J. Galvez Copyright 2015
    612 Pages 546 Color Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Expose Your Students to the Elegant World of Physics in an Enticing Way

    Physics from Planet Earth - An Introduction to Mechanics provides a one-semester, calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics for first-year undergraduate students studying physics, chemistry, astronomy, or engineering. Developed from classroom-tested materials refined and updated for over ten years at Colgate University, the book guides students on a journey beyond standard approaches that use blocks, projectiles, and inclined planes to grander themes involving interplanetary travel, exoplanets, asteroid collisions, and dark matter.

    Beginning students are often bewildered by the rapid-fire presentation of physical concepts, mathematics, and problem-solving strategies in traditional introductory textbooks. In contrast, this text:

    • Introduces the three conservation laws (momentum, energy, and angular momentum) as fundamental laws of nature from which secondary concepts, such as force and torque, are derived
    • Organizes topics around the conservation laws, avoiding the typical "math overload" that confronts students at the start of standard courses
    • Motivates and illustrates many topics through real, contemporary applications in astronomy, planetary science, and space travel

    After reviewing the basic mathematical tools needed to study mechanics, the text addresses the conservation of momentum and applications, such as gravity-assisted space travel and rocket propulsion. It next discusses Newton’s Laws and numerous space- and astronomy-based applications. The text then presents evidence for a second conservation principle, energy, which allows us to describe motion as a function of position rather than time. The book also explores the conservation of angular momentum and a variety of applications, including pulsars, orbital eccentricity, and gyroscopes. The text concludes with a discussion of dark matter, dark energy, and the ultimate fate of the universe.

    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