Is this coursebook good for a physics major student?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the suitability of a specific coursebook for a physics major's electromagnetism course. Participants evaluate the content of the book and compare it to other textbooks commonly used in physics education.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the relevance of the selected book, stating that none of its chapters deal with electromagnetism.
  • Another participant suggests that the original poster may be referring to a different volume that does cover electromagnetism, noting that it is a common textbook for introductory physics courses in the US.
  • Some participants recommend alternative textbooks, such as Alonso and Finn's "Fundamental University Physics," highlighting its clarity and mathematical rigor in discussing electricity and magnetism.
  • There is a mention of a potential confusion regarding the book's volume and content, with one participant indicating that they believe it is a combined book that includes mechanics and electromagnetism.
  • Several participants express skepticism about the choice of the book and suggest finding a different professor or school.
  • One participant reflects on their own experience with multiple physics books and the need to work through their problems before seeking further opinions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the appropriateness of the chosen textbook for the electromagnetism course. Multiple competing views exist about the book's content and its comparison to other texts, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are uncertainties regarding the specific volume of the textbook in question and its content coverage. Participants also note the commonality of certain textbooks in introductory physics courses, but do not reach a consensus on the best choice for the course.

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None of the twenty chapters of that book deals with electromagnetism.
 
I assume you really mean Vol. 2 which covers electromagnetism, or the combined book which includes mechanics, electromagnetism and some modern physics. This is a common textbook for calculus-based introductory (first year university) physics courses in the US. It's comparable to e.g. Halliday, Resnick & Walker's Fundamentals of Physics. I've never used it myself, but the major textbooks at that level are very much like each other in regard to topics covered.
 
I would try to get my hands on Alonso and Finn: Fundamental University Physics.

Book 2 deals with Electricity and Magnetism. Great book series that is between Halliday and Resnick and books like Kleppner/Purcell.

Alonso does not shy away from calculus. Connections between Physic ideas are shown, and derivations are clear and mathematically correct.
 
jtbell said:
I assume you really mean Vol. 2 which covers electromagnetism, or the combined book which includes mechanics, electromagnetism and some modern physics. This is a common textbook for calculus-based introductory (first year university) physics courses in the US. It's comparable to e.g. Halliday, Resnick & Walker's Fundamentals of Physics. I've never used it myself, but the major textbooks at that level are very much like each other in regard to topics covered.

I have Principle of Physics too (10 th edition) and our new professor gave us this book.I think its combined with mechanics and electromagneticisim,cause in cover there's no info about volume..

I guess Principle of Physics and this book are same in most sense as you said
 
smodak said:
Find a new school and a new professor.

  • BS: Physics Dept., METU (1989)
  • BS (double major): Mathematics Dept., METU (1989)
  • PhD: Physics Dept., University of California at Berkeley (1995)
Its his education,I think he is great
 
and I am in METU so...
 
MidgetDwarf said:
I would try to get my hands on Alonso and Finn: Fundamental University Physics.

Book 2 deals with Electricity and Magnetism. Great book series that is between Halliday and Resnick and books like Kleppner/Purcell.

Alonso does not shy away from calculus. Connections between Physic ideas are shown, and derivations are clear and mathematically correct.

I don't know I have two physics book...I have to solve their problems first :)
 
  • #10
dextercioby said:
None of the twenty chapters of that book deals with electromagnetism.

As Jtbell said ıts combined
 
  • #11
Arman777 said:
I don't know I have two physics book...I have to solve their problems first :)
Then why ask for our opinion?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: smodak
  • #12
MidgetDwarf said:
Then why ask for our opinion?
Opinions are always good :)
 

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