Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around finding appropriate physics textbooks for college-level study, specifically in mechanics, thermodynamics, and electricity and magnetism. Participants share their experiences and recommendations while addressing the challenges faced by the original poster (OP) regarding access to resources and guidance from their instructor.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Homework-related
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- The OP expresses a desire for textbooks that include animated drawings, which some participants argue is not typical of traditional textbooks.
- Some participants recommend specific textbooks, including "University Physics" by Young and Freedman and "Fundamentals of Physics" by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker.
- There is a concern about the lack of guidance from the OP's instructor, with some participants questioning the instructor's silence on textbook recommendations.
- Some participants suggest that the OP's instructor may have valid reasons for not sharing resources, such as the potential presence of sensitive materials on the USB drive.
- Uncertainty exists regarding whether the physics course is calculus-based, algebra-based, or conceptual, which complicates the recommendations.
- Some participants express skepticism about the OP's situation, with one suggesting it may be a troll thread.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the best textbooks to recommend due to the ambiguity surrounding the course type and the instructor's behavior. Multiple competing views regarding the appropriateness of online resources versus traditional textbooks are present.
Contextual Notes
The discussion highlights limitations in understanding the OP's specific course requirements and the nature of the instructor's resources. There is also a lack of clarity regarding the OP's intentions and the legitimacy of their claims.