Can you skip some material in a physics book?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the challenges of learning electronics without a strong physics background, particularly regarding the book "Electronics for Scientists," which requires physics knowledge. The user is considering skipping to the electricity and magnetism section of "Fundamentals of Physics" to gather necessary information for a project involving CCD or CMOS sensors in cellphones. Participants suggest that skipping sections is acceptable, especially since thermodynamics and wave mechanics may not be crucial for understanding semiconductors and transistors. A recommended resource for image sensors is a book on digital cameras, which the user is encouraged to check at their library due to its high cost. Overall, the consensus is that foundational knowledge in wave mechanics is beneficial but not essential for the user's immediate needs in electronics.
andrewkg
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There is a book that I would like to read "Electronics for scientists" but it has physics as a prerequisite and I will not be able to take a physics course till next year (I would just take the one at my high school but the teacher is not very good and I would rather start with a calculus based approach). I am 5 chapters into "Fundamentals of Physics Halliday & Resnick", but I will have to read several hundred pages until I arrive at the electricity and magnetism section. Would it be alright if I just skipped to that section? It looks like it would be, but I would rather take your guy's advice. And I will be doing the rest next year anyways. I just need the information on circuits and components for a project I have in mind. Or if you guys know of any good resources on semiconductors, transistors, and sensors. Well the project involves using the CCD or CMOS sensors contained within cellphones. In fact if anyone just know where the is a book about has any suggestion on how the digital camera works in and out software to hardware that would be great. Thanks!
 
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Really? No one has any suggestions? It seems pretty simple. Do you need to read the thermodynamics and wave & light sections to understand the electromagnetism section?
 
For electronics? I can't recall ever needing to use either thermodynamics or wave mechanics to understand semiconductors, transistors, op amps, and the like. To understand electromagnetism in general, on the other hand, I would certainly recommend learning wave mechanics. Mind you, there are only certain topics where wave physics comes into play any substantial amount, and even then I would imagine it's not necessary to go through the entire section on waves.

But again, for electronics, I can't recall either topics ever being useful.
 
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Thank you both! I will definitely look into that book as well.
 

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