Describing Motion: The Physical World provides the quantitative description of a variety of physically important motions. Starting with simple examples of motion along a line, the book introduces key concepts, such as position, velocity, and acceleration, using the fundamental rules of differential calculus. Topics include the free-fall motion of micro-gravity test vehicles, the trajectories of long-jumpers, and the orbital motion of satellites and space probes. The book also covers several essential mathematical tools.

Predicting Motion presents the core ideas of Newtonian mechanics, starting from Newton's laws and the idea that changes in motion are predictable given the forces that cause them. Richly illustrated with questions and answers for self-assessment, it carefully introduces concepts, such as kinetics and potential energy, linear momentum, torque (the rotational analogue of force), and angular momentum, and explains their role in predicting motion. Although no prior knowledge of this topic is required, the book focuses on the significance of differential equations in making such predictions. It...