From classical mechanics to general relativity, the key principles in all areas of physics are surveyed in this one handy volume. Here Alan Tribble addresses the needs of students and practicing physicists alike. He starts with a review of mathematical methods and then summarizes the most widely used concepts in physics, detailing derivations and applications. With its mix of theory, application, and solved problems, "Advanced Physics" enables a student to grasp quickly the fundamentals of the field while providing physicists, engineers, and mathematicians with an ideal reference for locating critical formulas or reviewing mathematical details.

One of Tribble's goals is to help students, particularly those preparing for comprehensive examinations, to develop and retain a broad base of knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the fundamental physical principles. Until now, reaching this goal has been a time-consuming and difficult task for the student, partly because so many texts have omitted key steps in crucial derivations or have assigned these derivations as exercises. By gathering widespread information into one highly accessible format, "Advanced Physics "will become an invaluable study aid, will serve readily as a text in a review course or as a supplemental text in higher-level courses, and will make for an indispensable reference for professionals throughout their careers.

The breakup of the Space Shuttle Columbia as it reentered Earth's atmosphere on February 1, 2003, reminded the public--and NASA--of the grave risks posed to spacecraft by everything from insulating foam to space debris. Here, Alan Tribble presents a singular, up-to-date account of a wide range of less conspicuous but no less consequential environmental effects that can damage or cause poor performance of orbiting spacecraft. Conveying a wealth of insight into the nature of the space environment and how spacecraft interact with it, he covers design modifications aimed at eliminating or reducing such environmental effects as solar absorptance increases caused by self-contamination, materials erosion by atomic oxygen, electrical discharges due to spacecraft charging, degradation of electrical circuits by radiation, and bombardment by micrometeorites. This book is unique in that it bridges the gap between studies of the space environment as performed by space physicists and spacecraft design engineering as practiced by aerospace engineers.