What is Physics book: Definition and 183 Discussions

Physics (from Ancient Greek: φυσική (ἐπιστήμη), romanized: physikḗ (epistḗmē), lit. 'knowledge of nature', from φύσις phýsis 'nature') is the natural science that studies matter, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, and its main goal is to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines and, through its inclusion of astronomy, perhaps the oldest. Over much of the past two millennia, physics, chemistry, biology, and certain branches of mathematics were a part of natural philosophy, but during the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century these natural sciences emerged as unique research endeavors in their own right. Physics intersects with many interdisciplinary areas of research, such as biophysics and quantum chemistry, and the boundaries of physics are not rigidly defined. New ideas in physics often explain the fundamental mechanisms studied by other sciences and suggest new avenues of research in academic disciplines such as mathematics and philosophy.
Advances in physics often enable advances in new technologies. For example, advances in the understanding of electromagnetism, solid-state physics, and nuclear physics led directly to the development of new products that have dramatically transformed modern-day society, such as television, computers, domestic appliances, and nuclear weapons; advances in thermodynamics led to the development of industrialization; and advances in mechanics inspired the development of calculus.

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  1. colemi4117

    General Relativity Made Approachable: A Step by Step Guide by Michael Cole

    Hi, my name is Michael Cole. I am a lifelong physics and mathematics enthusiast. I started an undergraduate degree in physics at UCLA in the 80s. Quite school, got a job yada yada. Went back to school for a degree in pure mathematics at CSUN. I spent 40 plus years in a career in IT. Rose...
  2. M

    Physics Book Recommendations for Self-Study at Undergraduate Level?

    TL;DR Summary: Physics book recommendation Hi everyone, I just found this site and I'm thankful for that. I want to study Physics as a pure science but in my city there is no bachelors degree, so I want to study by myself if it's possible. I just don't know where to start or what books should...
  3. Viona

    Best Solid State Physics Book for Beginners

    TL;DR Summary: Gerald Burns's book: Solid State Physics: is it good for begginers or there are best books? Hello, I am looking for the best book to study solid state physics for begginers. Some one recommended Gerald Burns's book: Solid State Physics. So, what is your opinions about this book...
  4. A

    Classical Which problem book to do for Physics Olympiad?

    Hi there, I know this question has been asked a million times but I need some help. Essentially, I am studying for F=MA/UsaPhO with the goal to make camp or IPhO(?) this year. I have begun studying with University Physics with Modern Physics, and yesterday read the first chapter of the E&M...
  5. M

    Electron Trajectory: Stuck on a difficult problem....

    I am very confused on how to go about with this question. The only thing I've tried so far is drawing the fbd of the electron and because of the plates the force applied would cancel which makes it centered between the two plates. As of now that is the only thing I understand, I am not sure how...
  6. rudransh verma

    Classical What Are Some General Physics Books to Complement Resnick and Halliday?

    I am currently reading some introductory physics. I am following resnik and Halliday. Can anyone suggest me some good general books on physics which would go comfortably with my resnik book. I need to read some general material not something technical. If possible on classical mechanics and...
  7. XCodeX

    Cosmology What are some recommended books for studying mathematical physics?

    Hi All. It is my first post here. I am PhD student studying algebraic/complex geometry. I am very interested in mathematical physics. I am currently enrolled in two courses in coursera electrodynamics and thermodynamics. Can someone suggest what courses I should enrol in or study plus books ? I...
  8. A

    Intro Physics Basic Physics Book Question

    Can someone please tell me what basic physics book that has many examples especially on below subjects and has good illustrations? Kinematics in one dimension Kinematics in two dimensions Dynamics: Newton's Laws of motion Circular motion Gravitation Work and energy Linear momentum Rotational...
  9. H

    Quantum Elements of Modern Physics book recommendations?

    Hello, undergrad Physics student here. I have a course called "Elements of Modern Physics" this semester. Looking for some good book recommendations. Note that I need a book for self-study as I have decided to skip out on lectures because they are online right now and combined with a bad prof...
  10. cutecat

    Quantum Do you have a quantum physics book? Can I borrow it?

    Homework Statement:: I need a quantum physics book because I am learning it Relevant Equations:: Quantum physics I can borrow a pdf one
  11. AndreasC

    Difficulty with Lagrange multipliers in Kardar's Statistical Physics book

    Alright, so I did some progress and then I got stuck. After some time I went to check the solution. Up to some point, it's all well and good: I understand everything that is happening up to the point where he takes the partial derivative of S wrt ρ(Γ). I don't understand how he gets the...
  12. M

    The nostalgic popular physics book that I can't remember its name

    Hi there I am looking for this very interesting book that I once (about 14 years ago) borrowed from some library, but I can't remember the title or author. It was about relativity, the big bang, and the history of modern physics (I guess). But the catch is, it had a tone of interesting...
  13. R

    Anyone know a reactor physics book better than Duderstadt and Hamilton?

    I really like the book for how much it covers. There's not a single topic that's missed that is relevant to nuclear reactor design/analysis. Often other books can miss a topic or two. It's just that the style is not to the point and often time is wasted talking about things that are irrelevant...
  14. A

    Intro Physics What Is the Basic Physics Book for Learning About Organ Pipes?

    Can someone please tell me what basic physics textbook that teach organ pipe? Thanks
  15. aspodkfpo

    Basic geometry question in a physics book

    I can guess this question, by seeing that the surface area of the curved part must be in the form pi r l. Don't know how to get to this formula though. Answer is A
  16. M

    Studying How does one read a Physics book effectively?

    I'm currently in my third year of medical physics and have problems when it comes down to reading. If I'm not taking notes of what I'm reading, I tend to lose attention and give up. The problem is that it takes A LOT of time to read and write, in my opinion. If we have about 10-15 pages of pure...
  17. N

    B Julius Caesar Problem from a SpaceTime Physics book

    I've been trying to understand the following very interesting problem: "Julius Ceasar was murdered on March 15 in the year 44 B.C. at the age of 55 approximately 2000 years ago. Is there some way we can use the laws of relativity to save his life? Let Caesar's death be the reference event...
  18. patric44

    Quantum What is the most suitable Quantum Mechanics book for these questions?

    i want to know what is the most suitable quantum mechanics that will enables me after studying it to answer these specific questions ? i mean based on the hardness of these questions ( what book would you suggest to study these subjects ) . and by the way what is the level of these QM questions...
  19. J

    Can I "inspire myself" in a physics book in a podcast/video?

    Let us imagine I want to create a podcast or a video, and I believe there is a book which is really spot on what I want to say. Can I "inspire myself" in the book? Of course, in no circumstances I would use pictures of the book, or paragraphs from the book. All my words would be mine, so I...
  20. pallab

    Advanced condensed matter physics book

    what are the good books on advanced condensed matter physics with detail notation explained?
  21. A

    About Resnick-Halliday's Physics book

    Which one of these--->>: (Resnick-Halliday-Walker) and (Resnick-Halliday-Krane) has coloured illustrations? or both of these 2 books are black and white ? I've uploaded pics of these 2 different books. Please state the key differences between the 2 editions of original Resnick-Halliday by walker...
  22. topologyfreak

    Studying Should I start with a basic physics book without calculus?

    Hi, I want to start learning physics as I have never studied it in my life but have now taken an interest towards it. I have quite literally zero knowledge on physics, so assume I haven’t taken middle school or high school courses on physics, as I haven’t. I’m 17 currently, but that shouldn’t...
  23. W

    Quantum Most accurate modern physics book

    I have been plagued by modern physics and quantum mechanics books before that employ the traditional approach where they start from Photoelectric effect, Blackbody radiation, etc. (This is really not an issue but in fact illuminating since it shows how old QM developed) until you read about...
  24. archaic

    Classical In search of a very detailed physics book

    Hello everyone, I've been watching the Khan Academy physics lectures and although they're nice (does anyone know a better one?) I'd like to get much deeper into the details of everything. So please if any of you knows a book, preferably available for free, which is really detailed and of an...
  25. L

    Particle The need for getting another particle physics book

    Hi there, my name is Leon and I am a physics undergraduate. Recently I decided to dig into the field of particle physics by getting some related books. I definitely will get some books on quantum field theory (Peskin, Scrednick, mandl and shaw...etc), since qft is a framework of particle...
  26. M

    Intro Physics Suggestions for a 1st Year Physics Book/Program for Small ND School

    I am in a small school in North Dakota and will have four students in the class next year. I have been here two years after retiring from another state. Two years ago they took an online physical science class and from what I can figure out they learned very little to use for background. They...
  27. A

    Other A good general intro physics book or a book for each physics subject?

    Many have recommended me Resnick for intro physics book, however I already have Kleppner for mechanics, so should I continue just getting a book for thermodynamics and then for EM when I need them or should I get sth like Halliday Resnick? I have noticed, that separate books per subject tend to...
  28. S

    Looking for a good physics book for an 8th grader

    My son, who had been into biology and paleontology throughout middle school, is now veering suddenly towards physics. I've been bombarded with questions like "why do hot objects radiate light" and "what is electromagnetic radiation" and so on. Being an electrical engineer, I can handle most of...
  29. R

    Solid State Good Solid State Physics book for Undergrads

    I need a book that explains the physics of pn-junction diodes. Really any reference that can help me characterize or model a diode slightly better than the ideal case.
  30. lawlieto

    Quantum Best book for quantum physics?

    I'd like to be a quantum physicist in the future, so I'd like to do quantum properly, but there are so many books out there, and it's a bit hard to choose. I've already completed 1 year of undergraduate physics, so I think I know enough classical mechanics. I've also covered calculus...
  31. T

    Other Math equivelent of Tipler physics book

    Hi guys, I was just wondering if there was a maths book the equivalent of tippler physics book. I just like the way the layout is with the questions ect and was just wondering of any pure maths book like it out there. If so could someone recommend one please.
  32. E

    Looking for physics book recommendations after HS

    Hello I'm new here. I don't know if doing this here is right or not but can someone please recommend good physics books to read? I've completed high school but I want to learn about interesting theories. My recent interests are astrophysics and quantum. If some can please recommend some amazing...
  33. Mzzed

    Nuclear Nuclear Physics Book Recommendations?

    Does anyone have some good recommendations for basic nuclear physics books? I'm not particularly fussed about the detailed maths at the moment but I'm mostly searching for books on neutron radiation and the interaction of different neutron temperatures with different materials. Also anything on...
  34. alv

    Charges in Magnetic Fields from Surfing Physics book

    I am a teacher and I can't work this one out. I am trying to answer (a). I have only included the further parts of the question (b, c and d) so you can see why some parts of the question are included. A single positively charged particle, mass 4.6 x 1027 kg, enters a 4.0 T magnetic field into...
  35. C

    Classical Physics book with explanations instead of definitions?

    Hello everyone, I am taking my third term of physics right now, and we are talking about flux at the moment. This terms is supposed to be a lot about E&M. Though I find that our textbook (Physics for scientists and engineers a strategic approach 4/e) is very textbooky. I was wondering if there...
  36. Faisal Moshiur

    Nuclear Nuclear Physics Book recommendations

    I'm a BS Hons (in Physics) student. We've a course named nuclear physics where we had taken help from book named Elements of Nuclear Physics. However, it seems insufficient to (not elaborately explained) read. So would you please help me with recommendations of books which has plethora of info...
  37. H

    Intro Physics Physics book suggestions to understand the concepts

    I'm studying 2nd year and I'm self studying some of the concepts in the physics,so I would be grateful if someone suggests me a book for the concept understanding
  38. RoboNerd

    Classical Good self study book for Electricity and Magnetism

    Hi people! I am a high school rising senior who is looking to self study electricity and magnetism over the summer. Particularly, my aim is to take the ap physics c electricity and magnetism exam as a result of this self study but also to realize if I want to work with hardware/electrical...
  39. J

    Intro Physics What are some good Algebra-based physics book for physics?

    I am in the 8th grade. I have a new found interest in physics, and would love to learn physics from the lowest level to the highest . However I do not know any good textbooks to start with. Can anyone maybe suggest some detailed algebra-based physics book for me? Thank you!
  40. CrunchBerries

    Intro Physics Physics Book to do along with Calc I through III?

    I am working through "Calculus with Analytic Geometry" by George Simmons, and he does touch on some physics problems, but I would like to expand on this and add the Physics to it. I do have high school physics as a base, but I would like a physics book(s) that covers Physics 1&2, then maybe...
  41. K

    Giancoli Physics Book -- confused at meaning of "test charge" polarity

    In the giancoli physics textbook for engineers and scientists, it says "E=F/q where E is the force on a small positive test charge at rest..." Then about one paragraph later it proceeds to say "If q is positive, F and E point in the same direction. If q is negative, F and E point in opposite...
  42. Suman Saha

    Solid State Advanced Solid State Physics Book: A Modern Alternative to Kittel and Ashcroft

    I found Kittel very complicated and Ashcroft outdated. I want something rather new, written in a advanced but familiar manner.
  43. K

    Derivatives in Halliday's physics book?

    (sorry my bad english). I was reading a Halliday's book of phyisics awhat I found is below. d(72t²)/dt = 144t why did the result was 144? It has anything to do with the deltas in the equation (d and dt)? and second I don't realize why the result of this another equation is this 4t²+2t+3 = 8t+2
  44. Rectifier

    Classical Recommended Physics Books for Beginners with Basic Mathematics Knowledge

    Hello there! I am searching for a good Physics book (or perhaps a combination of multiple) that does not jump over a lot of steps and explains everything (or at least a lot of it) from 0 up to University-level in easy language. Kudos if there is an e-book version free
  45. KimF

    Intro Physics What's a good first physics book for a math major?

    Dear forum members, This is my first post on Physics Forums. I'm very happy to have found this place and to be a member. My question isn't very complicated. I'm a math major with a reasonable grasp of the standard undergraduate analysis curriculum (including differential equations and complex...
  46. T

    Other A Physics Book for a beginner?

    I am really interested in physics but I am not every good at science. I am currently in year 9 and I want to go to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) recently I read on the website that international applicants need to sit a test from Physics, Chemistry or Biology. My high school hasn't...
  47. T

    A Physics Book for a beginner?

    I am really interested in physics but I am not every good at science. I am currently in year 9 and I want to go to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) recently I read on the website that international applicants need to sit a test from Physics, Chemistry or Biology. My high school hasn't...
  48. H

    Is This Theoretical Physics Book Easy to Learn?

    Hello everybody, I have see Theoretical Physics Book from amazon... This contain is easy to learn See the pic : https://www.amazon.com/dp/0486652270/?tag=pfamazon01-20 http://flgopics.science/10/o.png
  49. O

    Neutrino Physics Books: Free E-Books Available

    Could someone provide the e-books about neutrino physics? thanks.
  50. J

    Classical Looking for an acoustic physics book

    In particular, something focused on the acoustics of musical instruments and ideally with a bit of the physics behind playing techniques. In terms of my preparation, I've completed math up through linear algebra, ODEs and multivariable calculus. I've also completed all of the "core"...
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