Intro Physics I need help to pick a physics book

[jo_rdz]

I am an improving junior wanting to pass AP Physics 1, algebra based, and see if I want to pursue physics in the future. I am stuck between 2 books, Giancoli Physics and College physics by knight. I heard they are both good but I want to know if any one had experience with either. Additionally, I want to do well in UIL Physics, if anyone know what that is....

 

[jedishrfu]

There's also the Tsokos book for AP and IB physics courses:

https://www.amazon.com/Physics-Diploma-Coursebook-Digital-Access/dp/1009071882?tag=pfamazon01-20

It's better to have multiple resources when self-studying a topic. In your case, Khan Academy videos would be helpful, as would the Tsokos book.

For physics, studying without the backing of Calculus will severely limit your knowledge. With Calculus, you can derive equations and work with more interesting problems. It will also prepare you for college-level physics.

 

[robotkid786]

I'm not sure if it's applicable to american curriculum, but i'm finding Tom Kibble's Classical Mechanics a very good textbook. Hope this might help a little, good luck with your studies

 

[apostolosdt]

Giancoli; I have used it in several AP-level classes and it was well absorbed by the students. I guess you are aware of the calculus-based book by the same author, too.

 

[TensorCalculus]

I'm quite a big Young and freedman fan, but it might not be suitable for the AP physics syllabus, I don't know... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_Physics

good luck! :)

 

[Muu9]

I am an improving junior wanting to pass AP Physics 1, algebra based, and see if I want to pursue physics in the future. I am stuck between 2 books, Giancoli Physics and College physics by knight. I heard they are both good but I want to know if any one had experience with either. Additionally, I want to do well in UIL Physics, if anyone know what that is....

I think Knight is more beginner friendly of the two

 

[WWGD]

You may want to consider too, non-academic prep books , designed to help you pass, from the likes of Barrons and others.

 

[Homelilly]

Our first kid had Giancoli, and did not have a warm relationship with it, Ap Physics 1 was 4. Next year he had HRK and loved it, had 5 on both exams, though it was more self paced. He did not had any exams/assignments etc like in his calculus class.
Now, our second is learning Physics 1 with Serway. Will see how it will go, but it's better than Giancoli.

 

[DavidW]

I've taught from both. Knight is the type of book that teachers love, but not students. He clearly and intuitively explains in depth many things that other books overlook or treat superficially (such as electric current in circuits, for example). However, students tend not to like Knight because he is overly verbose. He will take ten pages to describe a page of content. It makes it difficult to learn from. Giancoli is concise and well-written. The exercises in Giancoli are also just the right level of difficulty. Just enough complexity that you can't just hunt down a formula, but without going overboard.

However, the AP Physics 1 exam was clearly written around Knight. Because it is all part of the physics education research circle. If you want exercises on motion diagrams, bar charts, changing representations, interpreting graphs, analyzing lab data, deriving and interpreting symbolic expressions, etc, you need Knight. The standard textbook exercises that Giancoli and other traditional books use just don't map to the current exam. And the "AP Physics" edition of the book doesn't change that. It just astericks sections that are not on either exam.