Digital library
Textbooks, references and open learning resources.

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Aerodynamics and Aircraft Performance
James Marchman III · Virginia Tech Libraries · 2004
Aerodynamics and Aircraft Performance, 3rd edition is a college undergraduate-level introduction to aircraft aerodynamics and performance. This text is designed for a course in Aircraft Performance that is taught before the students have had any course in fluid mechanics, fluid dynamics, or aerodynamics. The text is meant to provide the essential information from these types of courses that is needed for teaching basic subsonic aircraft performance, and it is assumed that the students will learn the full story of aerodynamics in other, later courses. The text assumes that the students will have had a university level Physics sequence in which they will have been introduced to the most fundamental concepts of statics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, and basic conservation laws that are needed to understand the coverage that follows. It is also assumed that students will have completed first year university level calculus sequence plus a course in multi-variable calculus. Separate courses in engineering statics and dynamics are helpful but not necessary. Any student who takes a course using this text after completing courses in aerodynamics or fluid dynamics should find the chapters of this book covering those subjects an interesting review of the material. The 236-page text was created specifically for use by undergraduate students in Aerospace Engineering and was based on Professor Marchman’s many years of experience teaching related subject matter as well as his numerous wind tunnel research projects related to aircraft aerodynamics and his personal experience as the owner and pilot of a general aviation airplane. It has been used at Virginia Tech and other universities. Instructors reviewing, adopting, or adapting parts or the whole of the text are requested to register their interest at: https://bit.ly/aerodynamics_interest.

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Stability of Ships and Other Bodies
Genick Bar-Meir · Potto Project · 2021
This book, Stability of Ships and Other Bodies, describes the fundamentals when and why floating bodies are stable. In addition, it describes steps that transforms un–stable bodies to stable. This book is designed to replace all the other books and inseminate that recent developed technology and advances. The material in standard books is so entrenched, old, and outdated material that one can be only amazed. For example, concept like potential stability is not discussed or even mentioned in any of all the books that this author review. This book written from physical point of view rather then construction point of view like all the books review by this author on stability. It is hoped that the book could be used as a reference book for people who have at least some basics knowledge of science areas such as algebra, basic physics, etc. Even without deep understating the graphs in this book can be used to find necessarily quantities needed to understand if to fix your vessel.

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Electromagnetics
Steven Ellingson · Virginia Tech Publishing · 2020
Electromagnetics, volume 2 by Steven W. Ellingson is a 216-page peer-reviewed open textbook designed especially for electrical engineering students in the third year of a bachelor of science degree program. It is intended as the primary textbook for the second semester of a two-semester undergraduate engineering electromagnetics sequence. The book addresses magnetic force and the Biot-Savart law; general and lossy media; parallel plate and rectangular waveguides; parallel wire, microstrip, and coaxial transmission lines; AC current flow and skin depth; reflection and transmission at planar boundaries; fields in parallel plate, parallel wire, and microstrip transmission lines; optical fiber; and radiation and antennas. To express your interest in this book or series, please visit http://bit.ly/vtpublishing-updates Additional resources Problem sets and the corresponding solution manuals; Slides of figures used in and created for the book; LaTeX sourcefiles; Errata for Volume 2; Collaborator portal for the Electromagnetics series; Faculty listserv for the Electromagnetics series. An accessible version will be available in January 2020. The Open Electromagnetics Project Led by Steven W. Ellingson at Virginia Tech, the goal of the Open Electromagnetics Project is to create no-cost openly-licensed content for courses in engineering electromagnetics. The project is motivated by two things: lowering learning material costs for students and giving faculty the freedom to adopt, modify, and improve their educational resources. Books in this Series Electromagnetics, Volume 1 https://doi.org/10.21061/electromagnetics-vol-1 Electromagnetics, Volume 2 https://doi.org/10.21061/electromagnetics-vol-2

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Introduction to Aerospace Structures and Materials
René Alderliesten · TU Delft Open · 2018
This book provides an introduction to the discipline of aerospace structures and materials. It is the first book to date that includes all relevant aspects of this discipline within a single monologue. These aspects range from materials, manufacturing and processing techniques, to structures, design principles and structural performance, including aspects like durability and safety. With the purpose of introducing students into the basics of the entire discipline, the book presents the subjects broadly and loosely connected, adopting either a formal description or an informal walk around type of presentation. A key lessons conveyed within this book is the interplay between the exact science and engineering topics, like solid material physics and structural analysis, and the soft topics that are not easily captured by equations and formulas. Safety, manufacturability, availability and costing are some of these topics that are presented in this book to explain decisions and design solutions within this discipline.

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Direct Energy
Andrea Mitofsky · Andrea M. Mitofsky · 2018
Direct Energy Conversion discusses both the physics behind energy conversion processes and a wide variety of energy conversion devices. A direct energy conversion process converts one form of energy to another through a single process. The first half of this book surveys multiple devices that convert to or from electricity including piezoelectric devices, antennas, solar cells, light emitting diodes, lasers, thermoelectric devices, and batteries. In these chapters, physical effects are discussed, terminology used by engineers in the discipline is introduced, and insights into material selection is studied. The second part of this book puts concepts of energy conversion in a more abstract framework. These chapters introduce the idea of calculus of variations and illuminate relationships between energy conversion processes.

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Electromagnetics
Steven Ellingson · Virginia Tech Libraries · 2018
Electromagnetics Volume 1 by Steven W. Ellingson is a 238-page, peer-reviewed open educational resource intended for electrical engineering students in the third year of a bachelor of science degree program. It is intended as a primary textbook for a one-semester first course in undergraduate engineering electromagnetics. The book employs the “transmission lines first” approach in which transmission lines are introduced using a lumped-element equivalent circuit model for a differential length of transmission line, leading to one-dimensional wage equations for voltage and current. Additional ResourcesProblem sets and the corresponding solution manual are also available.

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Introduction to Probability
Charles Grinstead; J. Laurie Snell · American Mathematical Society · 2006
Probability theory began in seventeenth century France when the two great French mathematicians, Blaise Pascal and Pierre de Fermat, corresponded over two problems from games of chance. Problems like those Pascal and Fermat solved continuedto influence such early researchers as Huygens, Bernoulli, and DeMoivre in establishing a mathematical theory of probability. Today, probability theory is a wellestablished branch of mathematics that finds applications in every area of scholarlyactivity from music to physics, and in daily experience from weather prediction topredicting the risks of new medical treatments. This text is designed for an introductory probability course taken by sophomores,juniors, and seniors in mathematics, the physical and social sciences, engineering,and computer science. It presents a thorough treatment of probability ideas andtechniques necessary for a form understanding of the subject. The text can be usedin a variety of course lengths, levels, and areas of emphasis. For use in a standard one-term course, in which both discrete and continuousprobability is covered, students should have taken as a prerequisite two terms ofcalculus, including an introduction to multiple integrals. In order to cover Chapter 11, which contains material on Markov chains, some knowledge of matrix theoryis necessary. The text can also be used in a discrete probability course. The material has beenorganized in such a way that the discrete and continuous probability discussions arepresented in a separate, but parallel, manner. This organization dispels an overlyrigorous or formal view of probability and o?ers some strong pedagogical valuein that the discrete discussions can sometimes serve to motivate the more abstractcontinuous probability discussions. For use in a discrete probability course, studentsshould have taken one term of calculus as a prerequisite. Very little computing background is assumed or necessary in order to obtain fullbenefits from the use of the comp

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Exploring Physical Phenomena
Emily van Zee; Elizabeth Gire · Oregon State University · 2019
This course is intended for prospective and practicing elementary and middle school teachers. By exploring physical phenomena in class, you will learn science in ways in which you are expected to teach science in schools or in informal settings such as afterschool programs, youth group meetings, and museum workshops. This course also is appropriate for general science students and others interested in exploring some of the physical phenomena underlying global climate change. The theme for the course is: What happens when light from the Sun shines on the Earth? The emphasis is on questioning, predicting, exploring, observing, discussing, reading, and writing about what one thinks and why. This first unit focuses on exploring the nature of light phenomena. Among the unit’s many goals are two primary ones: to learn about light phenomena and to learn about ways to foster science learning for yourself and others such as your family, friends, and students.

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Elementary Earth and Space Science Methods
Ted Neal · University of Iowa · 2019
We created this book to help you as both a college student and a future teacher. Dr. Ted Neal asked us to help him create this resource from the perspective of students who have taken Science Methods II–what would we want in a textbook for this course? With this in mind, we have gathered and created resources to help you better understand science and feel confident in your abilities as a future teacher. This book is divided into five parts which align with the Science Methods II course: Physics Space Science Earth Science Climate Science Course Materials and Pedagogy Within each part, the material is broken down into smaller chapters. Here you will find written explanations, video links, glossary terms, key takeaways, and practice quizzes to help you understand the material. This book is designed to be a flexible resource; use it as much or as little as you need throughout the course.

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Think Complexity: Exploring Complexity Science with Python
Allen Downey · Green Tea Press · 2018
Complexity science uses computation to explore the physical and social sciences. In Think Complexity, you'll use graphs, cellular automata, and agent-based models to study topics in physics, biology, and economics. Whether you're an intermediate-level Python programmer or a student of computational modeling, you'll delve into examples of complex systems through a series of worked examples, exercises, case studies, and easy-to-understand explanations. In this updated second edition, you will: Work with NumPy arrays and SciPy methods, including basic signal processing and Fast Fourier Transform Study abstract models of complex physical systems, including power laws, fractals and pink noise, and Turing machines Get Jupyter notebooks filled with starter code and solutions to help you re-implement and extend original experiments in complexity; and models of computation like Turmites, Turing machines, and cellular automata Explore the philosophy of science, including the nature of scientific laws, theory choice, and realism and instrumentalism Ideal as a text for a course on computational modeling in Python, Think Complexity also helps self-learners gain valuable experience with topics and ideas they might not encounter otherwise.
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Introduction to Philosophy
Nathan Smith; Gregory Browne; Parish Conkling; Naomi Friedman · OpenStax, Rice University
Designed to meet the scope and sequence of your course, Introduction to Philosophy surveys logic, metaphysics, epistemology, theories of value, and history of philosophy thematically. To provide a strong foundation in global philosophical discourse, diverse primary sources and examples are central to the design, and the text emphasizes engaged reading, critical thinking, research, and analytical skill-building through guided activities.

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Fysische Transportverschijnselen - Denken in Balansen
Harrie Akker; Robert Mudde · TU Delft Open · 2026
De transport- en overdrachtsprocessen van warmte, massa en impuls worden naar hun analogie behandeld. De processen worden beschreven met behulp van macro- en microbalansen die in veel gevallen leiden tot differentiaalvergelijkingen. Ook veel aspecten van stromingsleer komen op deze manier aan de orde en zo bereidt het boek ook voor op moderne Computational Fluid Dynamics technieken. Het doel van het boek is ook studenten te trainen in het oplossen van problemen waarbij transportverschijnselen centraal staan. Daartoe bevat het boek bijna 100 uitgewerkte vraagstukken.

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Fizyka dla szkół wyższych
William Moebs; Samuel Ling; Jeff Sanny · OpenStax · 2017
Fizyka dla szkół wyższych. Tom 3 dopasowana jest pod względem zakresu i układu treści do typowych kursów wprowadzających z fizyki ogólnej opartych na analizie matematycznej. Podręcznik kładzie nacisk na powiązania między teorią a praktycznymi zastosowaniami, wyjaśniając zagadnienia fizyczne w ciekawy i zrozumiały sposób, lecz z zachowaniem niezbędnego rygoru matematycznego. Liczne, dobrze dobrane przykłady pokazują, jak podejść do zadania, jak wykorzystać wzory i wreszcie jak sprawdzić i uogólnić wynik.

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Fizyka dla szkół wyższych
William Moebs; Samuel Ling; Jeff Sanny · OpenStax · 2017
Fizyka dla szkół wyższych. Tom 1 dopasowana jest pod względem zakresu i układu treści do typowych kursów wprowadzających z fizyki ogólnej opartych na analizie matematycznej. Podręcznik kładzie nacisk na powiązania między teorią a praktycznymi zastosowaniami, wyjaśniając zagadnienia fizyczne w ciekawy i zrozumiały sposób, lecz z zachowaniem niezbędnego rygoru matematycznego. Liczne, dobrze dobrane przykłady pokazują, jak podejść do zadania, jak wykorzystać wzory i wreszcie jak sprawdzić i uogólnić wynik.

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Υπολογιστική Φυσική: Ένα βιβλίο του Κωνσταντίνου Αναγνωστόπουλου
Κωνσταντίνος Αναγνωστόπουλος · National Technical University of Athens · 2016
Το βιβλίο αυτό είναι μια εισαγωγή στις υπολογιστικές μεθόδους που χρησιμοποιούνται στη φυσική και άλλα επιστημονικά πεδία. Απευθύνεται σε κοινό που έχει ήδη εκτεθεί σε μαθήματα γενικής φυσικής που διδάσκονται στα δύο πρώτα έτη πανεπιστημιακών τμημάτων θετικών επιστημών και επιστημών του μηχανικού. Δεν υποθέτει κανένα υπόβαθρο αριθμητικής ανάλυσης, προγραμματισμού ή χρήσης υπολογιστή και παρουσιάζει ό,τι είναι απαραίτητο για την επίλυση των προβλημάτων που παρουσιάζονται στο βιβλίο. Μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί ως κύριο σύγγραμμα σε εισαγωγικά μαθήματα υπολογιστικής φυσικής και επιστημονικού προγραμματισμού. Το βιβλίο ξεκινάει με πολύ απλά προβλήματα πάνω στην κίνηση σωματιδίου και ολοκληρώνεται με μία εις βάθος συζήτηση προχωρημένων μεθόδων προσομοίωσης Μόντε Κάρλο στη στατιστική φυσική. Το επίπεδο διδασκαλίας είναι διαβαθμισμένο ως προς τη δυσκολία του, παρουσιάζοντας προβλήματα όπως η εξίσωση διάχυσης, δυναμικά συστήματα, ηλεκτροστατική στο επίπεδο, κβαντομηχανική και οι τυχαίες διαδρομές. Όλο το υλικό που παρουσιάζεται στο βιβλίο μπορεί να διαδαχθεί άνετα σε δύο εξάμηνα. Με κατάλληλη επιλογή θεμάτων, μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί και σε ένα πλήρες μάθημα ενός εξαμήνου. Το βιβλίο αποσκοπεί να δώσει στους φοιτητές το υπόβαθρο και την εμπειρία που απαιτείται ώστε να προχωρήσουν σε προγράμματα υπολογισμών υψηλής απόδοσης. Δίνει έμφαση στον εμπειρικό προγραμματισμό αριθμητικών προγραμμάτων, αλλά και στην παραγωγή, ανάλυση και φυσική ερμηνεία των δεδομένων. Επίσης γίνεται προσπάθεια να διατηρηθεί το ενδιαφέρον του αναγνώστη μέσα από την παρουσίαση της αριθμητικής επίλυσης γνωστών και ενδιαφέροντων προβλημάτων φυσικής, οπως χαοτικών συστημάτων, κβαντομηχανικής, ειδικής θεωρίας της σχετικότητας και της φυσικής των μεταβάσεων φάσης. Το βιβλίο και το συνοδευτικό λογισμικό δίνονται ελεύθερα, αδειοδοτούμενα υπό Creative Commons License/GNU public License.

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Geometrische Optica
Joseph Braat; Aurèle Adam · TU Delft Open · 2025
The book provides the scientific basis of geometrical optics, ray tracing, and aberration theory. It applies this knowledge to optical systems and their imaging performance and establishes the link between ray optics and wave optics.

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Physical Science for Educators Volume 1
Timothy Evans, Kylee Ford, Kenneth Henry, Yogita Kumari, Claude Mona & Suzanne Wakim · Coalinga College
In the contents: 01: Elemental Beginnings- Foundations of Physics and Chemistry · 1.02: Chemistry and Physics in Context

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An Introduction to Philosophy
Russ W. Payne · Bellevue College
In the contents: 1.02: Metaphysics

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Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Daniel Arovas · UC San Diego
In the contents: 6.04: Liquid State Physics

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ENVS C100: Environmental Science
Tanya Hoerer · Coastline College
In the contents: 2.2.2.09: Water Physics