Explains the fundamental concepts of Newtonian mechanics special relativity waves fluids thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Provides an introduction for college-level students of physics chemistry and engineering for AP Physics students and for general readers interested in advances in the sciences. 1. The structure of mechanics Kinematics and dynamics ; Average and instantaneous quantities ; Motion at constant acceleration -- 2. Motion in higher dimensions Vectors in d=2 ; Unit vectors ; Choice of axes and basis vectors ; Derivatives of the position vector r ; Application to circular motion ; Projectile motion -- 3. Newton's laws I Introduction to Newton's laws of motion ; Newton's second law ; Two halves of the second law ; Newton's third law ; Weight and weightlessness -- 4. Newton's laws II A solved example ; Never the whole story ; Motion in d=2 ; Friction static and kinetic ; Inclined plane ; Coupled masses ; Circular motion loop-the-loop -- 5. Law of conservation of energy Introduction to energy ; The work-energy theorem and power ; Friction and the work-energy theorem -- 6. Conservation of energy in d=2 Calculus review ; Work done in d+2 ; Work done in d=2 and the dot product ; Conservative and non-conservative forces ; Conservative forces ; Application to gravitational potential energy -- 7. The Kepler problem Kepler's laws ; The law of universal gravity ; Details of the orbits ; Law of conservation of energy far from the earth ; Choosing the constant in U -- 8. Multi-particle dynamics The two-body problem ; The center of mass ; Law of conservation of momentum ; Rocket science ; Elastic and inelastic collisions ; Scattering in higher dimensions -- 9. Rotational dynamics I Introduction to rigid bodies ; Angle of rotation the radian ; Rotation at constant angular acceleration ; Rotational inertia momentum and energy ; Torque and the work-energy theorem ; Calculating the moment of inertia -- 10. Rotational dynamics II The parallel axis theorem ; Kinetic energy for a general N-body system ; Simultaneous translations and rotations ; Conservation of energy ; Advanced rotations ; Conservation of angular momentum ; Angular momentum of the figure skater -- 11. Rotational dynamics III Static equilibrium ; The seesaw ; A hanging sign ; The leaning ladder ; Rigid-body dynamics in 3d ; The gyroscope -- 12. Special relativity I the Lorentz transformation Galilean and Newtonian relativity ; Proof of Galilean relativity ; Enter Einstein ; The postulates ; The Lorentz transformation -- 13. Special relativity II some consequences Summary of the Lorentz transformation ; The velocity transformation law ; Relativity of simultaneity ; Time dilation ; More paradox -- 14. Special relativity III past present and future Past present and future in relativity ; Geometry of spacetime ; Rapidity ; Four-vectors ; Proper time -- 15. Four-momentum Relativistic scattering -- 16. Mathematical methods Taylor series of a function ; Examples and issues with the Taylor series ; Taylor series of some popular functions ; Trigonometric and exponential functions ; Properties of complex numbers ; Polar form of complex numbers -- 17. Simple harmonic motion More examples of oscillations ; Superposition of solutions ; Conditions on solutions to the harmonic oscillator ; Exponential functions as generic solutions ; Damped oscillations a classification ; Driven oscillator -- 18. Waves I The wave equation ; Solutions of the wave equation ; Frequency and period -- 19. Waves II Wave energy and power transmitted ; Doppler effect ; Superposition of waves ; Interference double-slit experiment ; Standing waves and musical instruments -- 20. Fluids Introduction to fluid dynamics and statics ; The hydraulic press ; Archimedes' principle ; Bernoulli's equation ; Applications of Bernoulli's equation -- 21. Heat Equilibrium and the zeroth law temperature ; Calibrating temperature ; Absolute zero and the Kelvin scale ; Heat and specific heat ; Phase change ; Radiation convection and conduction ; Heat as molecular kinetic energy -- 22. Thermodynamics I Boltzmann's constant and Avogadro's number ; Microscopic definition of absolute temperature ; Statistical properties of matter and radiation ; Thermodynamic processes ; Quasi-static processes ; The first law of thermodynamics -- 23. Thermodynamics II Cycles and state variables ; Adiabatic processes ; The second law of thermodynamics ; The Carnot engine -- 24. Entropy and irreversibility Entropy ; The second law law of increasing entropy ; Statistical mechanics and entropy ; Entropy of an ideal gas full microscopic analysis ; Maximum entropy principle illustrated ; The Gibbs formalism ; The third law of thermodynamics.

Shankar Ramamurti R Shankar

Fundamentals of physics.