En -daniel kleppner robert kolenkow an introduction

Preface

There is good reasonfor the tradition that students of science and

engineeringstart college physics with the study of mechanics:

mechanics is the cornerstoneof pure and applied science. The

concept of energy, for example, is essential for the study of the

evolution of the universe, the properties of elementary particles,

and the mechanisms of biochemical reactions. The concept of

energy is also essential to the design of a cardiac pacemaker and

to the analysis of the limits of growth of industrial society. However,

there are difficulties in presenting an introd uctory course in

mechanics which is both exciting and intellectually rewarding.

Mechanics is a mature science and a satisfying discussion of its

principles is easily lost in a superficial treatment. At the other

extreme, attempts to \"enrich\" the subject by emphasizing

advanced topics can produce a false sophistication which emphasizes

techniq ue rather than understanding.

This text was developed from a first-year course which we taught

for a number of years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

and, earlier, at Harvard University. We have tried to present

mechanicsin an engaging form which offers a strong base for

future work in pure and applied science. Our approach departs

from tradition more in depth and style than in the choice of topics;

nevertheless, it reflects a view of mechanics held by twentiethcentury

physicists.

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