2008-10-19 Nearly a good reference - but basic errors in it

This book so very nearly could have been an excellent reference, but there are fundamental misprints in it. These should have been corrected by this, the 3rd edition. For example, on page 38 re: Water pressure. It states ...."the 1000Kg of water would weigh 1000x9.81 =
9810 newtons per square meter..." No it wouldn't - it would 'weigh' 1000Kg! (on earth). Strictly speaking, N/m2 are units of pressue, not weight. It would exert a PRESSURE of 9810 newtons per square metre.

Then it goes on to say in an example "... the pressure at the base of a 4m high container of water with a cross-sectional area of 1m square is 4x9.81 = 39.24 kN"

Wrong again - kN are units of FORCE, not pressure. This should be kN per square metre.

These are not the only examples of errors in this book. Somewhat confusing, and not adequately explained, so only 3 stars.