Many problems in classical mechanics can now be readily solved using computers. This text integrates Maple, a general-purpose symbolic computation program, into the traditional sophomore- or junior-level mechanics course. Intended primarily as a supplement to a standard text, it discusses all the topics usually covered in the course and shows how to solve problems using Maple and how to display solutions graphically to gain further insight. The text is self-contained and can also be used for self-study or as the primary text in a mechanics course.

This is a standalone, but the recipes are correlated with topics found in standard texts, and make use of MAPLE (Release 7). As a reference text, or self-study guide this book is useful for science professionals and engineers.; Good for the classroom correlates with topics found in standard classical mechanics texts.; This book makes use of the powerful computer algebra system MAPLE (Release 7) but no prior knowledge of MAPLE is presumed.; The relevant command structures are explained on a need-to-know basis as the recipes are developed, thus making this a standalone text.

Developments in both computer hardware and Perhaps the greatest impact has been felt by the software over the decades have fundamentally education community. Today, it is nearly changed the way people solve problems. impossible to find a college or university that has Technical professionals have greatly benefited not introduced mathematical computation in from new tools and techniques that have allowed some form, into the curriculum. Students now them to be more efficient, accurate, and creative have regular access to the amount of in their work. computational power that were available to a very exclusive set of researchers five years ago. This Maple V and the new generation of mathematical has produced tremendous pedagogical computation systems have the potential of challenges and opportunities. having the same kind of revolutionary impact as high-level general purpose programming Comparisons to the calculator revolution of the languages (e.g. FORTRAN, BASIC, C), 70's are inescapable. Calculators have application software (e.g. spreadsheets, extended the average person's ability to solve Computer Aided Design - CAD), and even common problems more efficiently, and calculators have had. Maple V has amplified our arguably, in better ways. Today, one needs at mathematical abilities: we can solve more least a calculator to deal with standard problems problems more accurately, and more often. In in life -budgets, mortgages, gas mileage, etc. specific disciplines, this amplification has taken For business people or professionals, the excitingly different forms.

Written by an experienced physicist who is active in applying computer algebra to relativistic astrophysics and education, this is the resource for mathematical methods in physics using MapleTM and MathematicaTM. Through in-depth problems from core courses in the physics curriculum, the author guides students to apply analytical and numerical techniques in mathematical physics, and present the results in interactive graphics. Around 180 simulating exercises are included to facilitate learning by examples. This book is a must-have for students of physics, electrical and mechanical engineering, materials scientists, lecturers in physics, and university libraries. * Free online MapleTM material at http://www.wiley-vch.de/templates/pdf/maplephysics.zip * Free online MathematicaTM material at http://www.wiley-vch.de/templates/pdf/physicswithmathematica.zip * Solutions manual for lecturers available at www.wiley-vch.de/supplements/

Philosophy of the Text This text presents an introductory survey of the basic concepts and applied mathematical methods of nonlinear science as well as an introduction to some simple related nonlinear experimental activities. Students in engineering, phys ics, chemistry, mathematics, computing science, and biology should be able to successfully use this book. In an effort to provide the reader with a cutting edge approach to one of the most dynamic, often subtle, complex, and still rapidly evolving, areas of modern research-nonlinear physics-we have made extensive use of the symbolic, numeric, and plotting capabilities of the Maple software sys tem applied to examples from these disciplines. No prior knowledge of Maple or computer programming is assumed, the reader being gently introduced to Maple as an auxiliary tool as the concepts of nonlinear science are developed. The CD-ROM provided with this book gives a wide variety of illustrative non linear examples solved with Maple. In addition, numerous annotated examples are sprinkled throughout the text and also placed on the CD. An accompanying set of experimental activities keyed to the theory developed in Part I of the book is given in Part II. These activities allow the student the option of "hands on" experience in exploring nonlinear phenomena in the REAL world. Although the experiments are easy to perform, they give rise to experimental and theoretical complexities which are not to be underestimated.

Annotation The proceedings of the August 1996 conference, arranged in two volumes, focus on the physics baccalaureate as passport to the workplace; physics courses in service of students in other sciences and engineering; and the physics department's responsibility in pre- and in-service education of teachers. Issues include the changing goals of physics courses, the impact of physics education research on instruction, and applications of modern technologies. Volume 1 contains the presentations and poster papers; volume 2 contains description of 18 sample classes. No index. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

This unique book provides a streamlined, self-contained and modern text for a one-semester mathematical methods course with an emphasis on concepts important from the application point of view. Part I of this book follows the "paper and pencil" presentation of mathematical methods that emphasizes fundamental understanding and geometrical intuition. In addition to a complete list of standard subjects, it introduces important, contemporary topics like nonlinear differential equations, chaos and solitons. Part II employs the Maple software to cover the same topics as in Part I in a computer oriented approach to instruction. Using Maple liberates students from laborious tasks while helping them to concentrate entirely on concepts and on better visualizing the mathematical content. The focus of the text is on key ideas and basic technical and geometric insights presented in a way that closely reflects how physicists and engineers actually think about mathematics.