This primer on physics written in 1877 by the most eminent physicist of the19th century is intended as a brief introduction to Newtonian mechanics forstudents a... » 

This primer on physics written in 1877 by the most eminent physicist of the19th century is intended as a brief introduction to Newtonian mechanics forstudents and educated lay readers. Though by modern standards this small workcovers no new ground it attests to the logical rigor and powers of elucidationof a scientific genius whose insights into electromagnetism and the chemistryof gases were pivotal to the great discoveries in physics during the 20thcentury. Einstein described Maxwells influence on the scientific understandingof the physical universe as the most profound and the most fruitful thatphysics has experienced since the time of Newton. Maxwells ideas also laidthe groundwork for Max Plancks subsequent development of the quantumhypothesis.In seven concise and lucidly written chapters Maxwell covers all the basicconcepts of physics time space matter mass force momentum velocityacceleration laws of motion work energy gravitation and many other ideas.This edition also includes a chapter on equations of motion from Maxwellsclassic Electricity and Magnetism plus two appendices one on the relativityof motion and the other on the Principle of Least Action.Complete with many useful illustrations to clarify the concepts discussed inthe text this accessible work is well suited for history of science courses oras a stillrelevant introduction to basic physics for the average reader. «