How Mechanics Shaped the Modern World: A Contextual Introduction to Concepts and Applications

This updated and augmented second edition covers the history of mechanics in an engaging and accessible manner, with chapters on relativity, quantum/nanomechanics, and biomechanics. It retains its coverage of classical mechanics and provides historic insights and explanations of attending concepts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This second edition of the book, which has been completely revised and expanded, delves into the rich history of mechanics, illuminating how this fundamental discipline has profoundly impacted our world. Similar to its predecessor, Dr. Allen presents the material in an engaging and accessible style, offering numerous historical insights and comprehensive explanations of complex concepts. While retaining its focus on classical mechanics, primarily Newtonian mechanics, the text expands its coverage by introducing chapters on three additional topics that extend beyond the realm of classical mechanics: relativity, quantum/nanomechanics, and biomechanics.

The book begins by tracing the historical development of mechanics, from its ancient origins to the modern era. It explores the contributions of key figures such as Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein, who revolutionized our understanding of motion, gravity, and energy. The text also delves into the philosophical and mathematical foundations of mechanics, discussing concepts such as force, momentum, and angular momentum.

In the subsequent chapters, the book provides a comprehensive overview of classical mechanics, covering topics such as kinematics, dynamics, and thermodynamics. It explains how the laws of motion and the principles of thermodynamics govern the behavior of objects and systems in the physical world. The text also introduces students to the concept of conservation laws, which play a crucial role in understanding the dynamics of complex systems.

The book's expanded coverage of relativity, quantum/nanomechanics, and biomechanics provides a deeper understanding of the underlying principles and applications of these fields. It discusses the principles of relativity, including special relativity and general relativity, and how they explain the behavior of objects at high speeds and in extreme gravitational fields. The text also explores the quantum world, including quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, and quantum computing, and how these theories describe the behavior of subatomic particles and the nature of matter and energy.

Furthermore, the book includes numerous examples and applications of mechanics in various fields, such as engineering, physics, biology, and medicine. It demonstrates how mechanics is used to design and analyze complex systems, such as airplanes, cars, and robots, and how it is applied to solve problems in fields such as astrophysics, cosmology, and materials science.

In conclusion, this second edition of the book is an essential resource for students, researchers, and professionals interested in the history, principles, and applications of mechanics. It provides a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the field, covering classical mechanics, relativity, quantum/nanomechanics, and biomechanics. With its engaging and accessible style, the text is suitable for students at all levels, from undergraduate to graduate. By delving into the rich history of mechanics, this book offers valuable insights into how this fundamental discipline has shaped our world and continues to inspire innovation and discovery in many fields.

Weight: 893g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031277481
Edition number: 2nd ed. 2023