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Classical Newtonian Gravity and Potential Theory: A Comprehensive Introduction, with Examples and Exercises Second Edition 2026 Edition
Author(s): Roberto A. Capuzzo Dolcetta (Author)
- Publisher: Springer
- Publication Date: June 2, 2026
- Edition: Second Edition 2026
- Language: English
- Print length: 259 pages
- ISBN-10: 3032130352
- ISBN-13: 9783032130358
Book Description
This book offers a readily comprehensible introduction to classical Newtonian gravitation and potential theory, which are fundamental for understanding classical mechanics and particularly relevant to astrophysics. This enlarged and updated second edition introduces two new chapters, various newly developed exercises, and a comprehensive index. The opening chapter reviews essential elements of vector calculus and analysis, providing the formalism used in subsequent chapters. In Chapter 2, the theory of classical Newtonian gravity for a single point mass and a generic number N of point masses is presented and discussed, extending naturally to the continuous case. Chapter 3 addresses the paradigmatic case of spherical symmetry in mass density distribution (central force), introducing the useful tool of qualitative motion analysis. Chapter 4 deals with astrophysical applications, like, for instance the Jeans’ theory of gravitational instability. The following chapter discusses the general case of non-symmetric mass density distribution and develop classical potential theory, incorporating elements of harmonic theory, which is essential for understanding the series development of the gravitational potential. Finally, Chapter 6 discusses some relevant differences between Newtonian and relativistic gravitation. Examples and exercises throughout the book clarify various aspects of the theory presented in the book.
The book is aimed at those progressing beyond an initial bachelor’s degree toward a master’s degree and a Ph.D. It is also a valuable resource for postgraduates and active researchers in the field.
Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
This book offers a readily comprehensible introduction to classical Newtonian gravitation and potential theory, which are fundamental for understanding classical mechanics and particularly relevant to astrophysics. This enlarged and updated second edition introduces two new chapters, various newly developed exercises, and a comprehensive index. The opening chapter reviews essential elements of vector calculus and analysis, providing the formalism used in subsequent chapters. In Chapter 2, the theory of classical Newtonian gravity for a single point mass and a generic number N of point masses is presented and discussed, extending naturally to the continuous case. Chapter 3 addresses the paradigmatic case of spherical symmetry in mass density distribution (central force), introducing the useful tool of qualitative motion analysis. Chapter 4 deals with astrophysical applications, like, for instance the Jeans’ theory of gravitational instability. The following chapter discusses the general case of non-symmetric mass density distribution and develop classical potential theory, incorporating elements of harmonic theory, which is essential for understanding the series development of the gravitational potential. Finally, Chapter 6 discusses some relevant differences between Newtonian and relativistic gravitation. Examples and exercises throughout the book clarify various aspects of the theory presented in the book.
The book is aimed at those progressing beyond an initial bachelor’s degree toward a master’s degree and a Ph.D. It is also a valuable resource for postgraduates and active researchers in the field.
About the Author
Roberto A. Capuzzo Dolcetta has spent the longest part of his scientific and teaching activity as a professor of Theoretical Astrophysics and Fluid Dynamics at the University of Rome La Sapienza. He spent much time abroad (UW in Seattle (USA), Boston University (USA), University of Moscow (Russia), University of Heidelberg (Germany), Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic), etc.). He wrote more than 260 papers in scientific journals of Astrophysics, Physics, Mathematics and Computational Physics. Supercomputing Research Allocation (ISCRA) at CINECA and the leader of the Universe Science panel of the Access Committee of PRACE (the European infrastructure for supercomputing). He is also an experienced science communicator, both for TV broadcasting and in books. He is author of two books of the United for Physics series of Springer Nature (Classical Newtonian Gravity and Physics of Fluids).
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