Theoretical Mechanics | S. Targ

It treats of the basic methods of theoretical mechanics and their spheres of
application. It also briefly examines motion in a gravitational field (artificial satellites and elliptical trajectories), the motion of bodies with variable mass (e.g.. rockets), the elementary theory of gyroscopic motion, and other topics. These questions are of such importance today that no course of mechanics, even a short one. can neglect them altogether.

The organisation of this book is based on the profound conviction, borne out by many years of experience, that the best way of presenting study material, especially when it is contained in a short course, is to proceed from the particular to the general. Accordingly, in this book, plane statics comes before three-dimensional statics, particle dynamics before systems dynamics, rectilinear motion before curvilinear motion, etc. Such an arrangement helps the student to understand and digest the material belter and faster, and the teaching process itself is made more graphic and consistent.

Alongside of the geometrical and analytical inelliods of mechanics the book makes wide use of the vector method as one of the main generally accepted methods which, furthermore, possesses a number of indisputable advantages. As a rule, however. only tlio-e vector operations are used which are similar to corresponding operations with scalar quantities and which do not require additional acquaintance with many new concepts.

Considerable space-more than one-third of (he total volume of the book – is given to examples and worked problems. They were chosen with an eye to ensure a clear comprehension of the relevant mechanical phenomena, and they embrace all the main types of problems and methods of problem solution.

The problem solutions contain instructions designed to assist the student in his
independent-work on the course. In this respect, the book should prove useful
to students from many fields interested in advancing their knowledge of the
subject.