This innovative physics textbook develops classical mechanics from a historical perspective while introducing new concepts.

Steven C. Frautschi joined the California Institute of Technology faculty in 1962 and became professor emeritus in 2006. His publication list includes 80 research papers on the theory of high energy physics, and the book 'Regge Poles and S- Matrix Theory'. He has served as Master of Student Houses and has won three student teaching awards.

Preface; 1. Introduction to the mechanical universe; 2. The law of falling bodies; 3. The language of nature: derivatives and integrals; 4. Inertia; 5. Vectors; 6. Newton's laws and equilibrium; 7. Universal gravitation and circular motion; 8. Forces; 9. Forces in accelerating reference frames; 10. Energy: conservation and conversion; 11. The conservation of momentum; 12. Oscillatory motion; 13. Angular momentum; 14. Rotational dynamics for rigid bodies; 15. Gyroscopes; 16. Kepler's laws and the conic sections; 17. Solving the Kepler problem; 18. Navigating in space; 19. Temperatures and the gas laws; 20. The engine of nature; 21. Entropy; 22. The quest for low temperature; Appendix A. The international system of units; Appendix B. Conversion factors; Appendix C. Formulas from algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; Appendix D. Astronomical data; Appendix E. Physical constraints; Selected bibliography; Index.