Fundamentals of Mechanics is Volume 1 of six-volume Calculus-based University Physics series, designed to meet the requirements of a two-semester course sequence of introductory physics for physics, chemistry, and engineering majors. The present volume focuses on building a good foundation in kinematics and dynamics. The emphasis is placed on understanding basic concepts of kinematics and equilibrium conditions of forces well before handling more difficult subject of dynamics. Concepts and ideas are developed starting from fundamental principles whenever possible and illustrated by numerical and symbolic problems. Detailed guided exercises and challenging problems help students develop their problem solving skills. The complete University Physics series (Volumes 1-6) covers topics in Mechanics, Gravitation, Waves, Sound, Fluids, Thermodynamics, Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics. Appropriate volumes can be selected to provide students a solid foundation of introductory physics and make their transition into advanced courses easier. Volume 1: Fundamentals of Mechanics - Vectors, Kinematics, Newton's Laws of Motion, Impulse, Energy, Rotation, Physics in Non-inertial Frames. Volume 2: Applications of Mechanics - Newton's Law of Gravitation, Simple Harmonic Motion, Mechanical Waves, Sound, Stress and Strain in Materials, Fluid Pressure, Fluid Dynamics. Volume 3: Thermodynamics - Heat, Temperature, Specific Heat, Thermal Expansion, Ideal Gas Law, First Law of Thermodynamics, Work by Gas, Second Law of Thermodynamics, Heat Engine, Carnot Cycle, Entropy, Kinetic Theory, Maxwell's Velocity Distribution. Volume 4: Electricity and Magnetism - Static Electricity, Coulomb's Law, Electric Field, Gauss's Law, Electric Potential, Metals and Dielectrics, Magnets, Magnetic Force, Steady Current, Magnetic Field, Ampere's Law, Kirchhoff's Rules, Electrodynamics, Faraday's Law, Maxwell's Equations, AC Circuits. Volume 5: Optics - Law of Reflection, Snell's Law of Refraction, Optical Elements, Optical Instruments, Wave Optics, Interference, Young's Double Slit, Michelson Interferometer, Fabry-Perot Interferometer, Huygens-Fresnel Principle, Diffraction. Volume 6: Modern Physics - Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, Material Science, Nuclear Physics, Fundamental Particles, Gravity, and Cosmology.
About the Author: Samuel J. Ling has taught introductory and advanced physics for 26 years at Truman State University, where he is currently Professor of Physics. Dr. Ling has two Ph.D.'s, one in Chemistry and the other in Physics, both from Boston University. Dr. Ling has considerable experience with research in Physics Education and has been recognized for innovative teaching methods. Dr. Ling's research interests in physics have spanned from Cosmology to Solid State Physics and Nonlinear Optics.