Fundamentals of physics by David Halliday

[Philip Robotic]

Hey everyone!

I have a course-book related question. I hope this is the correct thread. If not, please let me know.

I want to prepare myself for our national physics olimpiad and I heard about a very useful book named Fundamentals of physics by David Halliday. We have the extended 5th edition at library, but there's a new one (10th ed) available for purchase online.

So my question is, as now there's the 10th edition available should I just rent the one from our library, or should I buy a new, updated (but not extended) version myself? I mean, has much changed since the 5th ed? And has anyone actually read it? Is it any good?

Philip

 

[Wrichik Basu]

I don't know what changes have been brought about in the newest editions, but if you don't want to buy, you can safely go with the one in your library.

However, the book is primarily meant to serve as a book for introductory courses. It does not have the type of questions that comes in Olympiads. You can read the topics from Halliday the first time for a thorough understanding, but ultimately you'll have to practice from books meant only for Olympiads.

 

[Philip Robotic]

Alright, thanks for the tip. That's the book I was looking for, just to get a good picture of the basics of physics. After that I will proceed to more advanced olimpiad-oriented stuff.

 

[Wrichik Basu]

Alright, thanks for the tip. That's the book I was looking for, just to get a good picture of the basics of physics. After that I will proceed to more advanced olimpiad-oriented stuff.

For basics, Halliday is very good. You can safely proceed with that.