A Unified Approach to Physics
Noel C. Little · American Journal of Physics · 1951
The general elementary course is unified on a basis of underlying theory. Part I introduces seriatim five fundamental concepts to serve a dimensional analysis for the whole of physics. Selected topics make the nature of these concepts clear, e.g., (1) geometric optics for length, (2) kinematics for time, (3) statics of a rigid body for force, (4) electrolysis for electricity, and (5) thermometry and calorimetry for temperature. Part II contains five sections which cut horizontally across the conventional subdivisions of physics. (1) Energetics, in which dynamics, thermodynamics, and the relativity mass-energy relation find a place; (2) Flow Phenomena stress the parallelisms between fluids, heat, and electricity; (3) Field Phenomena apply the inverse square law to gravitation, electro- and magnetostatics, photometry, and radiation; (4) Periodic Phenomena, starting with circular and simple harmonic motions, end with waves of all kinds; and (5) Quantum Phenomena deal with the elemental particles and the indeterminancy principle.