Any recommendations for a comprehensive physics reference book?

[SDutra]

Hey, I'm a high school student who is currently taking college level physics. Does anybody know of a good reference book that covers all of the basics and some more advanced topics. I would like it to be able to help with most of my curriculem this year and also explain more advanced topics just because I am interested. During my search I came across the "Handbook Of Physics" (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=Qe0SOLwBF9&isbn=0387952691&itm=4). Has anyone used this book. Any guidance to a solid book would help. Thanks a lot.

 

[James Jackson]

The Feynman lectures are excellent, but expensive.

 

[Rainbow]

Does anybody know of a good reference book that covers all of the basics and some more advanced topics. I would like it to be able to help with most of my curriculem this year and also explain more advanced topics just because I am interested.

I would recommend you to use 'FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS' by David Halliday, Robert Resnick and Jearl Walker.

Please let me know of any Physics Reference book you think is good.

 

[Claude Bile]

"University Physics" by Young and Freedman was my first year text, despite the name of the book, a solid portion of it is actually of a high school level, and covers classical mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics and selected topics on modern physics such as special relativity and quantum mechanics.

This book tackles topics from a very conceptual level, and is very light on the mathematics.

Claude.

 

[SDutra]

I decided to go with "Sears and Zemansky's University Physics With Modern Physics". I got the tenth edition used off of amazon for $10. Seems like a really good deal for 1500 pages. 150 pages per doaller that is a lot better than most books lol. Has anyone used this book or have any opinions about it?

 

[James Jackson]

Thinking about it, Physics for Scientists and Engineers by P.A. Tipler would be a good first reference - less 'in at the deep end' feel than Feynman's lectures.

 

[Rainbow]

Seems like a really good deal for 1500 pages. 150 pages per doaller that is a lot better than most books lol.

i appreciate your choice, but I strictly suggest you to not buy a book just because it fetches you more pages per dollar. Because it is the quality that matters, not the size.

 

[Daminc]

Because it is the quality that matters, not the size.

Try explaining that to the women

 

[SDutra]

FYI: I didn't just buy it because it was cheap lol. I read some reviews and decided to get it because (according to some reviews) it explains how theories and formulas were arrived at instead of just stating them. And it seems I ended up with a good book even though it may be hard to understand at first. Thanks for all the help.

PS: Does anyone know of a book/site that explains the differences between the basic engineering fields. I read the sticky in the engineering foruma and am looking for a more in depth source to help me decide on a major later on.