Feynman vs Resnick & Halliday: Mechanics for 11th Grade

AI Thread Summary
Feynman's Lectures on Physics, particularly Volume One, are highly regarded as a resource for teachers and professors, but they may not be the best choice for first-time physics students. Resnick & Halliday's 7th edition is recommended for 11th-grade students studying mechanics, as it provides a more standard approach suitable for beginners. While Feynman's work is praised for making physics engaging and meaningful, it is suggested to use it as a supplementary resource after gaining foundational knowledge. Exercises from Resnick & Halliday are emphasized as essential for understanding basic concepts and problem-solving skills. Overall, combining both resources can enhance the learning experience.
dx
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Hey, I am currently in 11th grade. Were studying Mechanics from Resnick & Halliday 7th edition. I'd like to know If Feynman does a better job with mechanics? (Volume one). Next year , were going to study electromagnetism, and I was planning on reading Feynman Vol II in the summer, should I or should I just read from Resnick. Basically, I want to know if Feynman's books are better than Resnick & Halliday.
 
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Read through the "Feyman's Lectures" thread (right there on the first page of this forum). In short: Feyman is THE rescource for teachers, and professors of elementary physics. THis is not really the ideal textbook for "first time" physics students. IT is a book that anyone could come back to at any time in their physics carreer, and it wouldn't hurt you at all to use this as well as H & R.
 
As an undergraduate I remember Resnick and Halliday as the book that made physics seem ugly and unappealing, the problem solutuons full of unmotivated assumptions and frustrating unjustified claims.

I hated physics for years afterwards until I read some works by Wheeler, Feynman, Pauli, Einstein, Planck, and de Broglie.

Feynman is to me the one that makes it seem fun, and exciting, and meaningful forever.
 
Hi! dx
As Chi Meson said that Feyman is THE rescource for teachers, and professors of elementary physics. At your grade, a more standard textbook like Mechanics from Resnick & Halliday 7th edition would be OK!
And remember excersises are good for your understanding of some basic concepts and your ability of solving problems!
 
I just started reading the Feynman lectures, and I think they are awesome so far and make physics exciting. I think they are a good supplement for reading after you have taken some physics courses.
 
By looking around, it seems like Dr. Hassani's books are great for studying "mathematical methods for the physicist/engineer." One is for the beginner physicist [Mathematical Methods: For Students of Physics and Related Fields] and the other is [Mathematical Physics: A Modern Introduction to Its Foundations] for the advanced undergraduate / grad student. I'm a sophomore undergrad and I have taken up the standard calculus sequence (~3sems) and ODEs. I want to self study ahead in mathematics...

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