Best Physics Books for College Students Struggling with Calculus-Based Course?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for physics textbooks suitable for college students struggling with calculus-based physics courses. Participants explore various resources and approaches to understanding the material better, focusing on both textbooks and supplementary online resources.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks recommendations for a textbook that simplifies topics in a calculus-based physics course.
  • Another participant requests more details about the course content and the current textbook being used.
  • The original poster clarifies that they are using "Fundamentals of Physics" by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker, indicating they are struggling with the material.
  • One suggestion is made to consider "Sears and Zemansky" as an alternative textbook.
  • Another participant mentions that while "Sears and Zemansky" is good, "Halliday and Resnick" is considered basic, and they provide links to online resources like Glenbrook and Hyperphysics for additional explanations.
  • There is a discussion about the inadequacy of simplified books like "Physics for Dummies," emphasizing the importance of rigor and mathematical understanding in physics.
  • It is noted that a solid grasp of calculus is essential for expressing physical phenomena mathematically.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the effectiveness of different textbooks and resources. There is no consensus on a single best book, and the discussion reflects multiple viewpoints on the importance of mathematical rigor in understanding physics.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the need for a textbook that effectively integrates mathematical concepts with physical theories, indicating that the choice of resources may depend on individual learning preferences and the specific challenges faced in the course.

Llama77
Messages
113
Reaction score
0
I'm taking a college physics course which is calculus based, I am doing awful in it can anybody recommend a good book that can break the topics down for me.


any help would be appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
give us more information. Is it a basic general course that covers Newtonian mechanics, thermodynamics, and electricity and magnetism?

what textbook are you using for the course? (author and title)
 
Sorry about that Sir

It is a General Physics 1 class with Calculus for science majors. we use the book,

Fundamentals of Physics
7th edition by Halliday, Resnick and Walker:

ISBN: 0-471-98009-9 Its a custom edition for my school, but the same with just some stuff ripped out.


I am just having a lot of trouble
 
Try sears and Zemansky.
 
Sears and Zemanksy is good, but I would think Halliday and Resnick is pretty basic.

There are a number of good websites with fairly good explanations of concepts -

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/CLASS/BBoard.html

More detailed is Hyperphsycis (I even bought the CD :approve: , which came with a very nice letter from Rod Nave. He's a really nice guy!) -

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html

There is also the PF Tutorials sections with a broad range of Introductory and Advanced Physics tutorials which Greg and others have posted.
https://www.physicsforums.com/private.php?folderid=0

Please make use of the Homework sections.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
thank you so much, so the books like physics for dummies are a waste, at least i know that that one is/
 
Llama77 said:
thank you so much, so the books like physics for dummies are a waste, at least i know that that one is/
Physics is largely quantitative, in addition to the theory. Mathematics is the language of physics and it is necessary to have some amount of rigor. Finding a good book which goes through the math and relates the concepts and phenomena to the math is important. In the more advanced classes, understanding of calculus becomes important. It is essential that one be able to express a problem or phenomenon with the appropriate mathematical relationship, i.e. equation or set of equations.
 

Similar threads

Looking for Online Calculus-based Physics Courses with Lab Component
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Recommendations for study materials to prepare for undergrad Physics
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Courses Algebra or Calculus based physics to start with?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Why Is Calculus Personal for Me?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Will a D in AP Physics C First Semester Impact My College Acceptances?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Studying Good resources to learn physics?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Courses Transfer of community college/university course credits in physics
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Courses Similarities in College Physics 1301 and University Physics 2425
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Studying Is the suggestion for self-learning mathematics from books wrong?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Studying What books are good to learn the math in intro physics?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
5K