Classical Newtonian Gravity: A Comprehensive Introduction, with Examples and Exercises

Chapter 1.- Elements of Vector Calculus.- 1.1 Vector Functions of Real Variables.- 1.2 Limits of vector Functions.- 1.3 Derivatives of Vector Functions.- 1.3.1 Geometrie Interpretation.- 1.4 Integrals of Vector Functions.- 1.5 The Formal Operator Nabla, ∇.- 1.5.1 ∇ in Polar Coordinates.- 1.5.2 ∇ in Cylindrical Coordinates.- 1.6 The Divergence Operator.- 1.7 The Curl Operator.- 1.8 Divergence and Curl by Means of ∇.- 1.8.1 Spherical Polar Coordinates.- 1.8.2 Cylindrieal Coordinates.- 1.9 Vector Fields.- 1.9.1 Field Lines.- 1.10 Divergence Theorem.- 1.10.1 Velocity Fields.- 1.10.2 Continuity Equation.- 1.10.3 Field Lines of Solenoidal Fields.- Chapter 2 Potential Theory.- Discrete mass distributions.- 2.1 Single particle gravitational potential.- 2.2 The gravitating N body case.- 2.3 Mechanical Energy of the N bodies.- 2.4 The Scalar Virial Theorem.- 2.4.1 Consequenees of the Virial Theorem.- 2.5 Newtonian Gravitational Force and Potential.- 2.6 Gauss Theorem.- 2.7 Gravitational Potential Energy.- 2.8 Newton's Theorems.- Chapter 3.- Central Force Fields.- 3.1 Force and Potential of a Spherical Mass Distribution.- 3.2 Circular orbits.- 3.2 Potential of a Homogeneous Sphere.- 3.3.1 Quality of Motion.- 3.3.2 Particle Trajectories.- 3.4 Periods of Oscillations.- 3.4.1 Radial and Azimuthal Oscillations.- 3.4.2 Radial Oscillations in a Homogeneous Sphere.- 3.4.3 Radial Oscillations in a Point Mass Potential.- 3.5 The Isochrone Potential.- 3.6 The Inverse Problem in Spherical Distributions.- Chapter 4.- Potential Series Developments.- 4.1 Fundamental Solution of Laplace'sChapter 1.- Elements of Vector Calculus.- 1.1 Vector Functions of Real Variables.- 1.2 Limits of vector Functions.- 1.3 Derivatives of Vector Functions.- 1.3.1 Geometrie Interpretation.- 1.4 Integrals of Vector Functions.- 1.5 The Formal Operator Nabla, ∇.- 1.5.1 ∇ in Polar Coordinates.- 1.5.2 ∇ in Cylindrical Coordinates.- 1.6 The Divergence Operator.- 1.7 The Curl Operator.- 1.8 Divergence and Curl by Means of ∇.- 1.8.1 Spherical Polar Coordinates.- 1.8.2 Cylindrieal Coordinates.- 1.9 Vector Fields.- 1.9.1 Field Lines.- 1.10 Divergence Theorem.- 1.10.1 Velocity Fields.- 1.10.2 Continuity Equation.- 1.10.3 Field Lines of Solenoidal Fields.- Chapter 2 Potential Theory.- Discrete mass distributions.- 2.1 Single particle gravitational potential.- 2.2 The gravitating N body case.- 2.3 Mechanical Energy of the N bodies.- 2.4 The Scalar Virial Theorem.- 2.4.1 Consequenees of the Virial Theorem.- 2.5 Newtonian Gravitational Force and Potential.- 2.6 Gauss Theorem.- 2.7 Gravitational Potential Energy.- 2.8 Newton's Theorems.- Chapter 3.- Central Force Fields.- 3.1 Force and Potential of a Spherical Mass Distribution.- 3.2 Circular orbits.- 3.2 Potential of a Homogeneous Sphere.- 3.3.1 Quality of Motion.- 3.3.2 Particle Trajectories.- 3.4 Periods of Oscillations.- 3.4.1 Radial and Azimuthal Oscillations.- 3.4.2 Radial Oscillations in a Homogeneous Sphere.- 3.4.3 Radial Oscillations in a Point Mass Potential.- 3.5 The Isochrone Potential.- 3.6 The Inverse Problem in Spherical Distributions.- Chapter 4.- Potential Series Developments.- 4.1 Fundamental Solution of Laplace's Equation.- 4.2 Harmonic Functions.- 4.3 Legendre's Polynomials.- 4.4 Recursive Relations.- 4.4.1 First Recursive Relation.- 4.4.2 Second Recursive Relation.- 4.5 Legendre Differential Equation.- 4.6 Orthogonality of Legendre's Polynomials.- 4.7 Development in Series of Legendre's Polynomials.- 4.8 Rodrigues Formula Chapter 5.- Harmonic and Homogeneous Polynomials.- 5.1 Spherical Harmonics.- 5.2 Solution of the Differential equations for Sm(θ, ϕ).- 5.3 The Solution in ϕ.- 5.4 A note on the Associated Legendre Differential Equation.- 5.5 Zonal, Sectorial and Tesseral Spherical Harmonics.- 5.5.1Orthogonality Properties.- Chapter 6.- Series of Spherical Harmonics.- 6.1 Potential Developm