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I am working on a project involving a simulation of the motion of a projectile (in 3D) aimed at a moving target. The way projectile motion is analyzed in most introductory physics books is not accurate enough for this project. I would like to know what other influences on the motion of a projectile, including air resistance and spin, I need to take into account. What is a good book on this subject?

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As a book recommendation I think this is already covered by the linked question, which lists suggested books on Newtonian physics. – David Zaslavsky♦ Oct 18 '11 at 17:58
@David: this is about video game physics, the motion of general rigid bodies with friction, and it isn't covered in classical mechanics books. – Ron Maimon Oct 18 '11 at 23:51
I figured that instead of saying the question needed to be edited, I might as well go ahead and edit it. I did make a pretty significant change, so Creative, please look over this and see if it matches what you wanted to ask. If not, go ahead and change it so that it does. – David Zaslavsky♦ Oct 19 '11 at 2:16

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If you have time to read a book, I strongly recommend Richard Feynman Lecture on Physics:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Feynman_Lectures_on_Physics

It is everything you want from a book:

  • fun to read
  • never boring
  • it will change the way you see the world
  • everyone can read it

In your case, I would focus on the first volume, Mechanics I, particularly from chapter 8.

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Feynman doesn't cover general rigid bodies, beyong remarking that you need a tensor of inertia. – Ron Maimon Oct 18 '11 at 23:53
@Ron, Ok got it. But the other textbooks I have about this are in french. I also have the "Classical mechanics" from Goldstein, but it might be not very introductory... – Jean-Yves Oct 19 '11 at 18:53

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