Intended for undergraduate non-science majors, satisfying a general education requirement or seeking an elective in natural science, this is a physics text, but with the emphasis on topics and applications in astronomy. The perspective is thus different from most undergraduate astronomy courses: rather than discussing what is known about the heavens, this text develops the principles of physics so as to illuminate what we see in the heavens. The fundamental principles governing the behaviour of matter and energy are thus used to study the solar system, the structure and evolution of stars, and the early universe. The first part of the book develops Newtonian mechanics towards an understanding of celestial mechanics, while chapters on electromagnetism and elementary quantum theory lay the foundation of the modern theory of the structure of matter and the role of radiation in the constitution of stars. Kinetic theory and nuclear physics provide the basis for a discussion of stellar structure and evolution, and an examination of red shifts and other observational data provide a basis for discussions of cosmology and cosmogony.

Mathematics is playing an ever more important role in the physical and biological sciences, provoking a blurring of boundaries between scientific disciplines and a resurgence of interest in the modern as well as the clas sical techniques of applied mathematics. This renewal of interest, both in research and teaching, has led to the establishment of the series: Texts in Applied Mathematics (TAM). The development of new courses is a natural consequence of a high level of excitement on the research frontier as newer techniques, such as numerical and symbolic computer systems, dynamical systems, and chaos, mix with and reinforce the traditional methods of applied mathematics. Thus, the purpose of this textbook series is to meet the current and future needs of these advances and encourage the teaching of new courses. TAM will publish textbooks suitable for use in advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate courses, and will complement the Applied Mathe matical Sciences (AMS) series, which will focus on advanced textbooks and research level monographs. Preface A wide range of problems exists in classical and quantum physics, engi neering, and applied mathematics in which special functions arise. The procedure followed in most texts on these topics (e. g., quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, modern physics, classical mechanics, etc. ) is to formu late the problem as a differential equation that is related to one of several special differential equations (Hermite's, Bessel's, Laguerre's, Legendre's, etc. )."

This book is intended to provide a bridge from courses in general physics to the intermediate -level courses in classical mechanics, electrodynamics and quantum mechanics. It begins with a short review of some topics in physics that are then used throughout the book to provide the physical contexts for the mathematical methods that are developed: electrostatics, electric currents, magnetic flux, simple harmonic motion, and the rigid rotor. The next chapters treat vector algebra and vector calculus; the concept of magnetic flux serves to give physical meaning to the integral theorems. A short chapter on complex numbers provides the needed background for the remainder of the text. Ordinary differential equations arise in may physical contexts; the simple harmonic oscillator serves as the illustrative example. Examples from both classical and quantum physics illustrate the chapters on partial differential equations and eigenvalue problems: the quantum harmonic oscillator and a particle in a box, a conducting sphere in a uniform field and a vibrating drum head. The eigenvalue problem leads naturally to a discussion of orthogonal functions, which again use the quantum harmonic oscillator to provide the physical insight, and to matrices, where coupled oscillators and the principal axes of a rotating rigid body provide the physical context. The text concludes with a brief discussion of variational methods and the Euler-Lagrange equation. Problems at the end of each chapter give the student experience in applying mathematical methods to the solution of physical problems. Illustrative exercises throughout provide guidance. Many of the exercises call for graphical representations, and some are particularly amenable to the use of numerical methods.

This book is intended to provide a bridge from courses in general physics to the intermediate -level courses in classical mechanics, electrodynamics and quantum mechanics. It begins with a short review of some topics in physics that are then used throughout the book to provide the physical contexts for the mathematical methods that are developed: electrostatics, electric currents, magnetic flux, simple harmonic motion, and the rigid rotor. The next chapters treat vector algebra and vector calculus; the concept of magnetic flux serves to give physical meaning to the integral theorems. A short chapter on complex numbers provides the needed background for the remainder of the text. Ordinary differential equations arise in may physical contexts; the simple harmonic oscillator serves as the illustrative example. Examples from both classical and quantum physics illustrate the chapters on partial differential equations and eigenvalue problems: the quantum harmonic oscillator and a particle in a box, a conducting sphere in a uniform field and a vibrating drum head. The eigenvalue problem leads naturally to a discussion of orthogonal functions, which again use the quantum harmonic oscillator to provide the physical insight, and to matrices, where coupled oscillators and the principal axes of a rotating rigid body provide the physical context. The text concludes with a brief discussion of variational methods and the Euler-Lagrange equation. Problems at the end of each chapter give the student experience in applying mathematical methods to the solution of physical problems. Illustrative exercises throughout provide guidance. Many of the exercises call for graphical representations, and some are particularly amenable to the use of numerical methods.

Mathematics is playing an ever more important role in the physical and biological sciences, provoking a blurring of boundaries between scientific disciplines and a resurgence of interest in the modern as well as the clas sical techniques of applied mathematics. This renewal of interest, both in research and teaching, has led to the establishment of the series: Texts in Applied Mathematics (TAM). The development of new courses is a natural consequence of a high level of excitement on the research frontier as newer techniques, such as numerical and symbolic computer systems, dynamical systems, and chaos, mix with and reinforce the traditional methods of applied mathematics. Thus, the purpose of this textbook series is to meet the current and future needs of these advances and encourage the teaching of new courses. TAM will publish textbooks suitable for use in advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate courses, and will complement the Applied Mathe matical Sciences (AMS) series, which will focus on advanced textbooks and research level monographs. Preface A wide range of problems exists in classical and quantum physics, engi neering, and applied mathematics in which special functions arise. The procedure followed in most texts on these topics (e. g., quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, modern physics, classical mechanics, etc. ) is to formu late the problem as a differential equation that is related to one of several special differential equations (Hermite's, Bessel's, Laguerre's, Legendre's, etc. )."

Intended for undergraduate non-science majors, satisfying a general education requirement or seeking an elective in natural science, this is a physics text, but with the emphasis on topics and applications in astronomy. The perspective is thus different from most undergraduate astronomy courses: rather than discussing what is known about the heavens, this text develops the principles of physics so as to illuminate what we see in the heavens. The fundamental principles governing the behaviour of matter and energy are thus used to study the solar system, the structure and evolution of stars, and the early universe. The first part of the book develops Newtonian mechanics towards an understanding of celestial mechanics, while chapters on electromagnetism and elementary quantum theory lay the foundation of the modern theory of the structure of matter and the role of radiation in the constitution of stars. Kinetic theory and nuclear physics provide the basis for a discussion of stellar structure and evolution, and an examination of red shifts and other observational data provide a basis for discussions of cosmology and cosmogony.

On visits to his bank, Mark becomes attracted to a recently-hired teller. He works up the courage to invite her out for dinner and learns that it is not a good idea because of a long-standing difficulty between their fathers. He begins to ask questions of others in his Christian association who might help him understand why events from years past now impinge on his own life. His father is sorely displeased with the opening of old wounds and rebukes him sharply for his pursuit of "forbidden fruit." The story-with overtones from the houses of Montague and Capulet-evolves from here.