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Theoretical mechanics
Book Reviews additional observations are interesting insights on the problems and unknowns about heat pipes. That such matters are under intensive study is amply indicated by the inclusion of an appendix which surveys some additional results which have appeared since the review was written. In “Film Cooling”, R. J. Goldstein, of the University of Minnesota, considers the protection of surfaces from hot gas streams. The survey is restricted to the concentrated upstream introduction of a cooler gas, this is called fihn cooling. The downstream boundary lctyer is assumed turbulent. Film cooling may find an important application, in contrast to ablation end transpiration, in flows of long duration and in which porous surfaces are not sufficiently strong or might become clogged in use. Analysis is first considered via several different models and methods of injection. Experimental results are next summarized in tabular form for the some 40 specific injection geometries, velocities and temperature conditions, etc. which have been studied. Variable mainstream velocity has been found to cause a relatively small change in film cooling effectiveness, for attached flows. The effects of injection slot geometry and large temperature differences are briefly considered, as are the effects of compressibility. In balance, this is an interesting and valuable collection of summaries. It would be of general end reference value to many active researchers in heat transfer. BENJAMIN GEBHART Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Cornell University Ithaca, New York
THEORETICAL MECHILNICS, by Eugene J. Saletan and Alan H. Cromer. 376 pages, diagrams, 6 x 9 in. New York, John Wiley, 1971. Price $15.95 (approx. $6.10). Several graduate-level classics,1 mechanics texts are presently available, and an addition to the “standard” list is there-
Vol.296,No.4,October1973
fore an unusual and noteworthy event. It is therefore a pleasure to report that Saletan and Cromer’s Theoretical Mechanics deserves recognition as a new standard textbook for graduate mechanics courses. The authors present the standard topics of nonrelativistic particle mechanics carefully and straightforwardly, as well as incorporating many nonstandard items. The text plus the many problems (211 in all, with almost none of the “plug-m” variety) not only gives the student a firm grounding in classical mechanics, but also provides an excellent introduction to the techniques of quantum mechanics and field theory. The authors have wisely adopted an unpretentious style of writing, e, welcome psychologic&l assistance for the instructor as well as the student. The overall organization of the book is fairly standard. The first chapter is a review of the Newtonian formulation of mechanics, with the basic principles explicitly set forth. Here and in all subsequent chapters, each basic principle and theorem is followed by 8 discussion of its implications and limitations, and every chapter concludes with a section on examples, applications and extensions which should be only less useful for the student than the problems themselves. The second chapter presents the Lagrangian formulation of mechanics and Hamilton’s principle. An unusual feature here is the euthors’ avoidance of variational notation for Hamilton’s principle, which is presented in terms of extremizing an action function of a path parameter in configuration space. For once, Kepler’s laws have been relegated to the problems. Next, the author discusses the intimate link between symmetries and conservation laws. This excellent chapter sets the tone for the remainder of the book by stressing the importance of analyzing the transformation properties of a physical system. Chapter Four is basically a review of vector spaoes aimed at providing the mathematical machinery used in the remainder of the book. Of particular interest is the discussion of the variational principle for nonholonomic constraints, based on recent work by the
301
Book Reviews . authors themselves. The discussion on rigid body motion is an extended application of the techniques introduced in the preceding chapter. The most important chapters in the book, in the opinion of the reviewer, develop the theory through the Hamiltonian formulation, canonical transformations and the Hamilton-Jacobi equation. The coverage of canonical transformations and their classification is outstanding, as is the treatment of the HamiltonJacobi equation. The discussion of solutions of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation is particularly illuminating. Canonical perturbation theory and adiabatic invariance are handled expertly and completely. The final two chapters, on classical field theory and the group theoretical approach to classical mechanics, introduce the student to methods which carry over directly into quantum mechanics and are also of current research interest in mechanics itself. Theoretical Mechanics is recommended without reservation as a text and as a reference for physicists who want to know the truth about classical mechanics. LLOYD C. KANNENBER~ Department of Physics Lowell Technological Inetitute Lowe& Massachuaett8
PHOTOELECTRONIC IMAGING DEVICES, Vol. I, by Lucien M. Biberman and Sol Nudelman. 430 pages, diagrams, 6 x 9 in. New York, Plenum Press, 1971. The material covered in this volume subtitled “Physical Processes and Methods of Analysis” forms practically a complete
302
background for preparation those interested in the field of photoelectronic imaging devices. The level is such that a graduate student in any of the physical sciences, electrical or electronic engineering, would find the book suitable for obtaining a good up-to-the-minute grasp of most aspects of the field. Volume 1 is divided into four parts; “Radiometry, Radiance, and Vision” “Basic Functions”; “Analysis”; and “Introduction to Systems”. The material is covered in 17 chapters, written by 16 authors, all recognized authorities in their fields. Noteworthy are Chaps. 7 and 8 on photoemissive cathodes; the latter in particular gives much information concerning the new III-V compounds. Chapter 10, on electron optics, is at a level intermediate between the utterly simple and the highly advanced mathematical treatments generally found in the literature. Chapters 13 and 15 would be of interest to those wishing to learn about the optical transfer function and related subjects, but who find most sources so devoted to advanced discussion that a beginner finds himself baffled. This volume is appealing because of the intermediate level which, in the opinion of this reviewer, is fulfilled better here than in most books. Students and professional scientists and engineers who wish to obtain background knowledge in this field will find the book useful because of the completeness of the subject matter. This book forms a logical prelude to Volume 2, subtitled “Devices and their Evaluation”. GERALD E. KRON U.S. Naval Observatory Plagstaff, Arizona
Journal of The Franklin
Institute
THEORETICAL MECHILNICS, by Eugene J. Saletan and Alan H. Cromer. 376 pages, diagrams, 6 x 9 in. New York, John Wiley, 1971. Price $15.95 (approx. $6.10). Several graduate-level classics,1 mechanics texts are presently available, and an addition to the “standard” list is there-
Vol.296,No.4,October1973
fore an unusual and noteworthy event. It is therefore a pleasure to report that Saletan and Cromer’s Theoretical Mechanics deserves recognition as a new standard textbook for graduate mechanics courses. The authors present the standard topics of nonrelativistic particle mechanics carefully and straightforwardly, as well as incorporating many nonstandard items. The text plus the many problems (211 in all, with almost none of the “plug-m” variety) not only gives the student a firm grounding in classical mechanics, but also provides an excellent introduction to the techniques of quantum mechanics and field theory. The authors have wisely adopted an unpretentious style of writing, e, welcome psychologic&l assistance for the instructor as well as the student. The overall organization of the book is fairly standard. The first chapter is a review of the Newtonian formulation of mechanics, with the basic principles explicitly set forth. Here and in all subsequent chapters, each basic principle and theorem is followed by 8 discussion of its implications and limitations, and every chapter concludes with a section on examples, applications and extensions which should be only less useful for the student than the problems themselves. The second chapter presents the Lagrangian formulation of mechanics and Hamilton’s principle. An unusual feature here is the euthors’ avoidance of variational notation for Hamilton’s principle, which is presented in terms of extremizing an action function of a path parameter in configuration space. For once, Kepler’s laws have been relegated to the problems. Next, the author discusses the intimate link between symmetries and conservation laws. This excellent chapter sets the tone for the remainder of the book by stressing the importance of analyzing the transformation properties of a physical system. Chapter Four is basically a review of vector spaoes aimed at providing the mathematical machinery used in the remainder of the book. Of particular interest is the discussion of the variational principle for nonholonomic constraints, based on recent work by the
301
Book Reviews . authors themselves. The discussion on rigid body motion is an extended application of the techniques introduced in the preceding chapter. The most important chapters in the book, in the opinion of the reviewer, develop the theory through the Hamiltonian formulation, canonical transformations and the Hamilton-Jacobi equation. The coverage of canonical transformations and their classification is outstanding, as is the treatment of the HamiltonJacobi equation. The discussion of solutions of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation is particularly illuminating. Canonical perturbation theory and adiabatic invariance are handled expertly and completely. The final two chapters, on classical field theory and the group theoretical approach to classical mechanics, introduce the student to methods which carry over directly into quantum mechanics and are also of current research interest in mechanics itself. Theoretical Mechanics is recommended without reservation as a text and as a reference for physicists who want to know the truth about classical mechanics. LLOYD C. KANNENBER~ Department of Physics Lowell Technological Inetitute Lowe& Massachuaett8
PHOTOELECTRONIC IMAGING DEVICES, Vol. I, by Lucien M. Biberman and Sol Nudelman. 430 pages, diagrams, 6 x 9 in. New York, Plenum Press, 1971. The material covered in this volume subtitled “Physical Processes and Methods of Analysis” forms practically a complete
302
background for preparation those interested in the field of photoelectronic imaging devices. The level is such that a graduate student in any of the physical sciences, electrical or electronic engineering, would find the book suitable for obtaining a good up-to-the-minute grasp of most aspects of the field. Volume 1 is divided into four parts; “Radiometry, Radiance, and Vision” “Basic Functions”; “Analysis”; and “Introduction to Systems”. The material is covered in 17 chapters, written by 16 authors, all recognized authorities in their fields. Noteworthy are Chaps. 7 and 8 on photoemissive cathodes; the latter in particular gives much information concerning the new III-V compounds. Chapter 10, on electron optics, is at a level intermediate between the utterly simple and the highly advanced mathematical treatments generally found in the literature. Chapters 13 and 15 would be of interest to those wishing to learn about the optical transfer function and related subjects, but who find most sources so devoted to advanced discussion that a beginner finds himself baffled. This volume is appealing because of the intermediate level which, in the opinion of this reviewer, is fulfilled better here than in most books. Students and professional scientists and engineers who wish to obtain background knowledge in this field will find the book useful because of the completeness of the subject matter. This book forms a logical prelude to Volume 2, subtitled “Devices and their Evaluation”. GERALD E. KRON U.S. Naval Observatory Plagstaff, Arizona
Journal of The Franklin
Institute