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Library | Item Barcode | Call Number | Material Type | Item Category 1 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... | 30000010105529 | QC123 B34 2005 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
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Summary
Summary
The pendulum: a case study in physics is a unique book in several ways. Firstly, it is a comprehensive quantitative study of one physical system, the pendulum, from the viewpoint of elementary and more advanced classical physics, modern chaotic dynamics, and quantum mechanics. In addition, coupled pendulums and pendulum analogs of superconducting devices are also discussed. Secondly, this book treats the physics of the pendulum within a historical and cultural context, showing, for example, that the pendulum has been intimately connected with studies of the earth's density, the earth's motion, and timekeeping. While primarily a physics book, the work provides significant added interest through the use of relevant cultural and historical vignettes. This approach offers an alternative to the usual modern physics courses. The text is amply illustrated and augmented by exercises at the end of each chapter.
Author Notes
Gregory L. Baker was born and educated in Toronto receiving his B.Sc. in mathematics and physics from the University of Toronto, and his M.Sc and Ph.D. in physics, also from the University of Toronto. He has taught physics and mathematics at Bryn Athyn College since 1970, retiring from fulltime involvement in 2007. His scholarly interests have included stochastic processes (as a consultant), chaotic dynamics, and the relationship between religion and science. He has authored or co-authored more than sixty publications, many of which have appeared in peer reviewed journals. His books include the best selling Chaotic Dynamics: an Introduction, a technical/cultural book on the pendulum The Pendulum: a case study in physics, and Religion and Science: from Swedenborg to chaotic dynamics. Baker is a member of the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers, and is a recipient of the Glencairn award for scholarship at Bryn Athyn College.James A. Blackburn is Professor of Physics at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada.
Reviews 1
Choice Review
Pendulums simple, compound, chaotic, and quantum are described and analyzed in this concise book by Baker (Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, PA) and Blackburn (Wilfred Laurier Univ., Ontario). Setting the tone, the small amplitude oscillations of a simple pendulum with no friction are modeled with differential equations. Time series graphs and phase plane diagrams are introduced for the simple pendulum and used later in the book for more complicated pendulums, especially the chaotic pendulum. Good historical and cultural backgrounds enliven the book, as do detailed drawings of historically significant apparatus such as the torsion pendulums used by Cavendish for his experiments on Earth's gravity and by Coulomb for his experiments on the fundamental electrostatic force. Chapters on modern topics such as the chaotic pendulum, the quantum pendulum, superconductivity, and the Josephson junction are supported with excellent use of graphs, diagrams, historical background, and differential equations. The history of the pendulum clock is described, from Galileo and Huygens to the Shortt clock of 1921. Fascinating aspects of the Foucault pendulum, Newton's Cradle, and other well-known pendulums are provided. Chapter exercises. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty M. Dickinson Maine Maritime Academy
Table of Contents
| 1 Introduction |
| 2 Pendulums somewhat simple |
| 3 Pendulums less simple |
| 4 The Foucault pendulum |
| 5 The torsion pendulum |
| 6 The chaotic pendulum |
| 7 Coupled pendulums |
| 8 The quantum pendulum |
| 9 Superconductivity and the pendulum |
| 10 The pendulum clock |
| A Pendulum Q |
| B The inverted pendulum |
| C The double pendulum |
| D The cradle pendulum |
| E The long now clock |
| F The Blackburn pendulum |
