College Physics with Calculus help book suggestions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for books to assist with studying College Physics with Calculus. Participants share their preferences and experiences with various texts, focusing on the clarity of explanations and the availability of example problems with detailed analyses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests Shankar's "Fundamentals of Physics" for its explanations, while also mentioning a long-standing preference for Halliday and Resnick.
  • Another participant lists several books including Verma's "Concept of Physics," Shankar's volumes, Halliday Resnick Krane, and Morin's book for mechanics problems, emphasizing their usefulness.
  • There is a repeated mention of Verma's books, with one participant expressing confusion about their limited use in universities despite their quality.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the potential reasons for Verma's lesser-known status, including its publication in India and possible marketing issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the quality of the recommended books but express differing opinions on the reasons for Verma's limited recognition in academic settings. No consensus is reached on the underlying causes.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the availability and marketing of certain books may influence their popularity and usage in university courses.

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Hello everyone,

Im currently taking my first semester of College Physics with Calculus and i need a good book to help me study concepts and maybe have example problems that have step by step analysis.

Any Suggestions?
 
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I like the explanations in Shankar's recently released Fundamentals of Physics. I've been a fan of Halliday and Resnick for decades, and you can get older used copies of that for very little money. Susskind's Theoretical Minimum makes an enlightening companion book for any good physics text, too.
 
I would recommend the following books (not in any specific order)

1. Verma - Concept of Physics vol 1 and vol 2 (not very well known but is fantastic.)
http://www.abebooks.com/products/isbn/9788177091878
http://www.abebooks.com/products/isbn/9788177092325

2. Shankar Volume 1- and Volume 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300192207/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300212364/?tag=pfamazon01-20
Here are the corresponding course pages with links to video lectures and course material
http://oyc.yale.edu/physics/phys-200
http://oyc.yale.edu/physics/phys-201

5. Haliday Resnick Krane Volume 1 and Volume 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471320579/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471401943/?tag=pfamazon01-20
The third edition (the one I have) of Haliday Resnick is also very good
https://www.amazon.com/dp/047134530X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

7. Savov (I really like this one but it just has calculus and mechanics)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0992001005/?tag=pfamazon01-20

8. You should also look at the Feynman Lectures available for free here.

9. For problems in Mechanics with solution strategies and steps, look no further than Morin
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NA8QPEY/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
Last edited by a moderator:
smodak said:
I would recommend the following books (not in any specific order)

1. Verma - Concept of Physics vol 1 and vol 2 (not very well known but is fantastic.)
http://www.abebooks.com/products/isbn/9788177091878
http://www.abebooks.com/products/isbn/9788177092325

2. Shankar Volume 1- and Volume 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300192207/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300212364/?tag=pfamazon01-20
Here are the corresponding course pages with links to video lectures and course material
http://oyc.yale.edu/physics/phys-200
http://oyc.yale.edu/physics/phys-201

5. Haliday Resnick Krane Volume 1 and Volume 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471320579/?tag=pfamazon01-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471401943/?tag=pfamazon01-20
The third edition (the one I have) of Haliday Resnick is also very good
https://www.amazon.com/dp/047134530X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

7. Savov (I really like this one but it just has calculus and mechanics)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0992001005/?tag=pfamazon01-20

8. You should also look at the Feynman Lectures available for free here.

9. For problems in Mechanics with solution strategies and steps, look no further than Morin
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NA8QPEY/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I also know the book by Verma and I feel that it is straight to the point and really good, so why is it not used more in universities and not that well known compared to the standard books?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Figaro said:
I also know the book by Verma and I feel that it is straight to the point and really good, so why is it not used more in universities and not that well known compared to the standard books?
Not sure really - probably because it is published only in India? Lack of marketing? Who knows? I am just glad that I found it.
 
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