How good are the MIT introductory physics series?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the quality and relevance of the MIT introductory physics series, particularly in comparison to other textbooks like Halliday and Resnick. Participants express their opinions on specific texts within the series and their suitability for different educational contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the quality of the MIT introductory series compared to Halliday and Resnick, seeking opinions on its effectiveness.
  • Another participant mentions liking AP French's Newtonian Mechanics, describing it as decently written but overly wordy, suggesting it may not serve well as a primary textbook.
  • The same participant notes a lack of experience with other parts of the series, such as quantum mechanics, optics, or relativity, and mentions having heard that the series might be outdated.
  • There is a clarification regarding whether the discussion pertains to MIT OpenCourseWare or the textbooks authored by AP French.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the quality and relevance of the MIT series, with no consensus reached on its overall effectiveness compared to other textbooks.

Contextual Notes

Some participants indicate uncertainty regarding the current relevance of the series, with mentions of it being potentially outdated and varying opinions on its suitability as a main textbook.

Physicaa
Messages
53
Reaction score
1
I was wondering, are the MIT introductory series any good compared to, let's say, Halliday and Resnick ?

Any opninion ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
MIT opencourseware you mean?
 
I like AP French's Newtonian Mechanics, I think it's decently written, but it's quite wordy and probably wouldn't hold up as a main textbook when there are so many other good ones out there.

As for the others, I can't comment, I haven't taken QM, optics, or relativity yet. I've been told that the series is a little outdated.

http://books.wwnorton.com/books/book-template.aspx?ser=The+M.I.T.+Introductory+Physics+Series

I think you're referring to this series?
 
Mondayman said:
I like AP French's Newtonian Mechanics, I think it's decently written, but it's quite wordy and probably wouldn't hold up as a main textbook when there are so many other good ones out there.

As for the others, I can't comment, I haven't taken QM, optics, or relativity yet. I've been told that the series is a little outdated.

http://books.wwnorton.com/books/book-template.aspx?ser=The+M.I.T.+Introductory+Physics+Series

I think you're referring to this series?
Yes, these ones
 
micromass said:
MIT opencourseware you mean?
No, I mean the books written by AP French.
 

Similar threads

Classical Trying to pinpoint the name of an old mechanics textbook
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Intro Physics Looking for an Introductory Physics Book without Flashy Presentation?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
7K
Classical Calculus-based physics textbooks
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Good resources for learning basic surface tension
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Classical What Are Some General Physics Books to Complement Resnick and Halliday?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Self teaching Calculus for physics?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
Astronomy Good Book Recommendations on Solar Physics
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Intro Physics Physics Introduction book
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Classical What are the best intermediate Newtonian mechanics textbooks?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
7K
Solid State Which Introductory Solid State Physics Book from Springer is Best?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K