What is Textbook: Definition and 998 Discussions

A textbook is a book containing a comprehensive compilation of content in a branch of study with the intention of explaining it. Textbook are produced to meet the needs of educators, usually at educational institutions. Schoolbooks are textbooks and other books used in schools. Today, many textbooks are published in both print and digital formats.

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  1. M

    Foundations How to effectively study a mathematics textbook?

    Hello I am looking to find advice on the most optimal and efficient way to properly and deeply study a mathematics textbook, such that I completely understand everything and thus giving me good foundations for future study of more advanced mathematics. However, I want to change my ways of...
  2. S

    Classical Textbook or other resource with comprehensive challenging problems?

    Hi all, can you recommend a textbook or other resource with comprehensive (meaning spanning multiple subjects) and challenging physics problems and also the solutions? I have already worked through Giancoli (no-calculus), Ohanian (calc based) and the two dummies workbooks. I have been working...
  3. SJay16

    Relativity Textbook for "Intro" course in GR

    I was just looking for recommendations for textbooks for an Undergraduate (Senior) Level course in General Relativity. I want to prepare for this "Intro" GR course i'll be taking in January by self-learning what i can beforehand in summer, does anyone have any good, first hand recommendations...
  4. E

    Quantum Textbook recommendations for self-studying QM

    I have a Physics degree, 1970, Durham University, England. I am semi- retired and have been re-studying using a modern text: Sears and Zemansky's University Physics updated by Young & Freedman. This has been brilliant. Plenty examples, questions and answers , ideal for self-study. I want to move...
  5. M

    Classical Which resources should I use to prepare for the F=ma contest and USAPhO?

    What textbook should I go through to be prepared for the F=MA contest and advance to USAPhO? Is Khan Academy AP Physics Enough? I have started HRK Physics but it seems to me to be quite boring, and out of ~50 practice problems at the end of each chapter I would say ~4-5 of them are interesting...
  6. A

    Atomic High School Chemistry Textbook Recommendation

    Can someone please tell me what high school chemistry textbook that studying about octet rule is best for an idiot like me?
  7. S

    Textbook says V=E/w but units don't match

    In my textbook, it is talking about the Hall Effect on a flat conductor with width w carrying a current i in a uniform magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of the strip. It says that this will create a potential difference of V=E/w where E is the induces electric field from the electrons...
  8. M

    Calculus Where can I find detailed answers for Keisler calc textbook?

    Following the advice here https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/self-study-calculus/ I started with "Elementary Calculus – An infinitesimal approach" by Keisler, and it is fine but it only has final answers for half of the problems. I wonder if there are answers for all the problems and also...
  9. M

    Studying Learning calculus with a digital copy of a textbook

    Hi, I'm in 12 grade, and I always was a decent student but recently I became more fascinated by learning and I want to learn some math and physics beyond high school level. One or two weeks ago I started the calculus course on mit ocw (18.01sc) (at session 17 right now, right before lecture 7)...
  10. K

    Chemistry Chemistry textbook for Physicists

    Hello Being a professional physicist(Quantum field theory and HS theory) I'd like to learn chemistry for some reasons. I've already tried to find a nice Chemistry textbook but failed to find physicist friendly one. My last class on chemistry was in high school like 11 years ago already, so my...
  11. Geofleur

    Quantum Thoughts on Albrecht Lindner's A Complete Course on Theoretical Physics?

    Has anyone had experience with Albrecht Lindner's book, A Complete Course on Theoretical Physics? https://www.springer.com/la/book/9783030043599 It looks like it covers a lot of material, and I'm wondering what people here think of it, especially the chapters on quantum theory.
  12. MatthewNITX

    Relativity Suggestions for a Physics Textbook on Special & General Relativity

    Hey my fellow physics-students/physicists. I'd like to ask if you guys could suggest me a textbook/s that sufficient for integrated course of "special" and "general relativity". More precisely, That contain about: Introduction about the birth of relativity and principle, and the transformation...
  13. D

    Textbook Recommendations: Complex Analysis

    Hello, I was interested in learning more about complex analysis. Also, very interested in analytic continuation. Can anyone recommend a good text that focuses on complex analysis. Also, is there a good textbook on number theory that anyone recommends? Thanks! <mentor - edit thread title>>
  14. B

    Textbook for calculus of variations? Hamiltonian mechanics?

    I need to learn about Hamiltonian mechanics involving functional and functional derivative... Also, I need to learn about generalized real and imaginary Hamiltonian... I only learned the basics of Hamiltonian mechanics during undergrad and now those papers I read show very generalized version...
  15. Savian

    Intro Physics Recommendation of a textbook about Introduction to Physics

    Can someone recommend me a textbook about Introduction to Physics (college level)? I would thank a lot.
  16. W

    Other Using Michael Artin's "Algebra" for Group Theory

    Hi all, I have stumbled upon Artin's book "Algebra" and was wondering if I could use it to do some self-study on Group Theory. Some background: I am a physics undergraduate who has some competence in elementary logic, proofs and linear algebra. It seemed to me that ideas related to Group...
  17. S

    Am I looking at the right Physics textbook?

    Hi, I'm a college graduate, and I don't know if or when I'll ever get a graduate degree. But I wanted to try learn and get very knowledgeable in physics on my own at my own pace. Right now I am reading and doing the problems in Physics fundamentals 10th edition by walker, Holliday, and...
  18. MathematicalPhysicist

    Problem 11.1 from Ashcroft and Mermin's textbook

    Homework Statement Let ##\vec{r}## locate a point just within the boundary of a primitive cell ##C_0## and ##\vec{r}'## another point infinitesimally displaced from ##\vec{r}## just outside the same boundary. The continuity equations for ##\psi(\vec{r})## are: $$ (11.37) \lim_{r\to r'}...
  19. 1

    Quantum Textbook for Quantum Computing

    Hello, I am looking for a good textbook to learn quantum computing. My background is that I am a double major in math and computer science, and I pretty much don't know anything about quantum mechanics. I prefer something that is more computer science oriented, like quantum algorithms, rather...
  20. P

    Studying Textbook suggestions for LiDAR/Radar/RF Telemetry

    Previously I made this post, and soon after realized how woefully unprepared I am to approach such a topic. As stated in the post, I think my best use of time would be to gain background knowledge on the topic before attempting a project, but now I think I've found a better focus as to what...
  21. Quantumfied

    What if a modern physics textbook found itself back in time

    Okay guys, I’ve been wondering how different would the world be if something as simple as my calculus based physics textbook found itself back in time around 300 years ago. For the sake of the argument assume some rift opened up and swallowed my book sending it back to the year 1720. Let’s...
  22. Faizan Samad

    Statistical Mechanics And Thermodynamics Textbook.

    This is A very general question. I will be taking physics 112 at Cal (in the future) which is basically stat mech. Almost all professors use Kittel and Kroemer but I’ve heard it’s god awful (I can attest to this having read a little myself). Does anyone know of a secondary textbook that is of...
  23. Mahavir

    Intro Physics Physics textbook with metrology chapters

    Hi everyone, For my intro to Physics class, I'm looking for a resource that has a wide variety of metrology questions that I could use to practice. Does anyone happen to have a good one off the top of their head, please? I could look elsewhere but I'm hoping someone's personal experience can...
  24. YoungPhysicist

    A weird homework that requires everyone to answer

    Homework Statement If the following question is inappropriate,please tell me immediately,and I will delete it.[/B] I got a really weird math homework today:find out questions in math textbooks of other parts of the world look like,specifically,how many percent of: prove questions(questions...
  25. gibberingmouther

    I Subspaces in Axler's Famous Textbook

    Just started working through "Linear Algebra Done Right". There is something I don't understand. Given b ∈ F, then {(x1,x2,x3,x4) ∈ F4 : x3 = 5x4 + b} is a subspace of F4 *if and only if* b=0 I just flat out don't understand why b has to be 0 or even what is the point of bringing this up...
  26. T

    What does “Media Upgrade” mean in Thomas' Calculus textbook?

    What is the difference between: THOMAS' CALCULUS, media UPGRADE (11TH EDITION) [ISBN-13 9780321489876] and THOMAS' CALCULUS (11TH EDITION) [ISBN-13 9780321185587]? could you provide detailed answer please? what does the title-addition "Media Upgrade" mean and what changes does it make on the...
  27. R

    Classical University Physics textbook topics

    Does anyone have the latest University Physics (Young) textbook and know if there is a discussion of "jerk" in it? THanks, JP
  28. YoungPhysicist

    Quantum Introduction to Quantum Chromodynamics: A Textbook

    Is there a good introduction textbook or pdf for quantum chromodynamics?
  29. Frimus

    Astronomy A free Modern Introduction to Astronomy textbook

    Recently I found a real gem for astronomy enthusiasts and junior undergraduate students. It has a plenty of pictures, diagrams, links to other resources and visualizations. You can access this excellent up-to-date Astronomy textbook (cca 1200 pages) for free in web view or PDF. I have included...
  30. J

    Applied Which maths textbook is better?

    Which one is better? Mathematical methods for Physicists by George B. Arfken and Hans J. Weber or Mathematical methods for physics and engineering by K. F. Riley M. P. Hobson and S. J. Bence P.s Is there a solution manual for the 4th edition of Mathematical methods for Physicists by George B...
  31. jamalkoiyess

    Studying How to study an advanced physics textbook effectively?

    Hello PF, This by no means the first time I inquire about the topic. I have read a lot on how to study from textbooks and I have practiced all methods and read extensively. Yet, I have never felt that I truly accomplished my purpose and mastered the given material. The thing is that while...
  32. Mahavir

    Intro Physics Physics textbook with lots of medicine-related examples

    Hello everyone, So, I'm about to start a medical degree and one of the core courses involves Physics with a very heavy focus on medicine-related coursework. There isn't a core textbook as of yet but I'm trying to find a textbook that is primarily focused on the basics of Physics (mostly...
  33. E

    Opinions on I.A. Maron's Mathematical Analysis textbook?

    Anyone completed IA Maron Mathematical Analysis? Anyone like it?
  34. G

    Other List of Books to use for self-study before AP classes

    I plan on taking a multitude of AP classes next year. I would like some books that I should buy for good study.
  35. M

    Can anyone Recommend a good quantum gravity textbook?

    I'm currently doing my thesis in QG and there's a distinct gap between where QFT and GR left off and QG begins, and as I'm sure most of you know, in a thesis you're sort of just thrown right into the deep end. As such, I was hoping someone could recommend a decent textbook that gives a solid...
  36. J

    My E&M textbook claims that fields are a form of matter

    I'm studying out of Classical Electrodynamics by Ohanian and in chapter 2 (Electrostatics) he makes the following claim while discussing the electric field: I'm a little confused by this, and I can't seem to find any sources that share this view. I'm even more confused because in the...
  37. V

    Calculus Best textbook to truly understand single variable calculus?

    I am currently self learning high school level AP Calculus BC over the summer. From a mathematical perspective, I have heard that high school level calculus is just pure and shallow computational work. For this reason, I seek a deeper understanding in calculus. So far, the BC curriculum has been...
  38. MidgetDwarf

    Anyone familiar with this Mathematica textbook?

    I am wondering if any PF member is familiar with this textbook on Mathematica. Mathematica by Example, Fifth Edition, by Martha L.L. Abell. The amazon link is https://www.amazon.com/dp/0128124814/?tag=pfamazon01-20 The course description: MATH 2110 with grade C or better. Introduction to...
  39. FourEyedRaven

    Quantum What's wrong with the Messiah "Quantum Mechanics" textbook?

    Hi. I bought Messiah's "Quantum Mechanics" because it was at an excelent price from Dover. But, even though it was considered a Bible of quantum mechanics until recently, people consider it outdated now. Is it no longer comprehensive? I intend to read on relativistic quantum mechanics and...
  40. H

    Quantum QED textbook that covers QED cavity and Purcell effect

    Dear all, I am looking for an introductory QED textbook (or quantum optics if not) that also covers QED cavity and Purcell effect in one of its chapters. I am not planning to extensively understand every single detail about QED cavity and Purcell effect since I am not a physicist and I don't...
  41. gibberingmouther

    Foundations Anyone Heard of This Textbook?

    The book is called "Analytical Combinatorics". I have read a description of some of its subject matter and it sounds super interesting. Here is the pdf: http://algo.inria.fr/flajolet/Publications/book.pdf It sounds really interesting but I don't think I'll have the time to read the whole...
  42. StoneTemplePython

    I A question I have about my L.A. textbook (2)

    your second question seems like an excellent introduction to Vandermonde Matrices. I wouldn't recommend solving this 5x5 matrix by hand. With some cleverness you can get it down to a 4x4 matrix but still a lot of work to do by hand. A good computer exercise. It would be worth learning to...
  43. gibberingmouther

    I Two Questions I Have About My L.A. Textbook

    My first question is about a formula for the y intercept of a linear equation, given you know two points that the line goes through. I Googled but no luck - it's hard to type a formula into Google. The formula is: b = (y1*x2 - y2*x1)/(x2 - x1) The textbook author left this as an "exercise"...
  44. T dawg

    Studying Can self-studying be fulfilling and effective?

    I'm about to transfer from a community college over to a university this semester for physics. I've completed all lower division physics and math courses and of course, I missed the deadline to apply for vast majority of physics related internships I could get. Add to that the fact that there...
  45. Z

    Derivation of the energy principle from Gregory Classical Mechanics textbook

    I'm working through Gregory's Classical Mechanics and came across his derivation of energy conservation for a system of N particles that is unconstrained. We get to assume all the external forces are conservative, so we can write them as the gradient of a potential energy. There's a step he...
  46. stevencarlover

    Induced Current Problem from the professor not in our textbook

    Homework Statement A long straight solenoid of cross-sectional area 400 cm^2 is wound with 10 turns of wire per centimeter, and the winding carry a current in the direction shown (downward). A small ring of radius 5.00 cm and resistance 0.300 ohms is placed at the center of the solenoid. If the...
  47. Phylosopher

    Foundations Logic in philosophy and mathematics Textbook

    Hello,Lately, I have been interested in philosophy and in particular the branches of philosophy where there is a tie with mathematics and physics. From this point, I think the best branch to start studying would be the most robust one for scientists. i.e Logic. But I am having a problem finding...
  48. isukatphysics69

    Need help following my textbook (series)

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I am not following what is going on here, how are they getting that part that is circled. i am just completely lost here
  49. Mohrcircle

    Where to find answers for "Mechanical Vibration" textbook (Haym Baneroya)?

    I really liked this book but the problems don't have answers at all (not even numerical one's at the back of the book). There is not even a solution manual to download or buy online. How am I supposed to use this book otherwise?
  50. Greg Bernhardt

    Insights Ask the Advisors: What's Your Most Memorable Textbook? - Comments

    Greg Bernhardt submitted a new PF Insights post Ask the Advisors: What's Your Most Memorable Textbook? Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
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