Intro Physics Most thorough physics refresher?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous User
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physics
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on finding suitable physics textbooks for someone with a background in undergraduate physics but who has been out of practice for several years. Recommendations include the 11th edition of College Physics and Alonso and Finn's "Fundamental University Physics," which is noted for its clear derivations and challenging exercises. Participants emphasize the importance of a solid math foundation for tackling physics problems and suggest that approaching the subject as if learning it for the first time may be beneficial. There is a consensus that many commonly used textbooks may not be the best fit, and the choice should align with the learner's specific goals, whether for personal enrichment or academic preparation. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for targeted resources that cater to varying levels of physics understanding.
Anonymous User
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hi, new here.
what textbook would be best to use? 11th edition College Physics? is there any books that have a lot of questions and problems and they walk you through it? what would be the best way to train to solve these physics problems in a short amount of time off the top of your head?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Depends, what is your physics background? If you have a PhD in physics who has taken a year off, the answer will be different than if you are a middle school student who wants to learn more.
 
  • Like
Likes Demystifier, Anonymous User and jtbell
Dishsoap said:
Depends, what is your physics background? If you have a PhD in physics who has taken a year off, the answer will be different than if you are a middle school student who wants to learn more.
about five years experience with all the undergrad lower division courses at non-university. then about five years no academics, memory faded.
original textbooks look familiar like newspaper but problems still hard to solve. I've copied a lot of the sections into my own words and going through a lot of the problems, but I cannot recall any of it. i know there are a lot of free mock classes dedicated to making ordinary online users physics literate.
I am looking for a book that is geared towards the newest physics curriculum of educating people, but I know just a Calculus based physics book does not cover the specifics with fields and deeper math approaches for everything.
 
If you can't do the elementary problems, you will not be able to do something with "deeper math approaches to everything". If afraid you are asking for something that doesn't exist to enable you to do something impossible.
 
  • Like
Likes Anonymous User
If you remember calculus, you maybe try Alonso and Finn: Fundamental University Physics. Topic explanations are brief, but well written. Exercises can be challenging. Almost everything is derived.

Going through the 3 book series will allow you to jump to upper division books with no problems.

What you are asking for is unrealistic. You may need to approach physics as if it was your first time.
 
  • Like
Likes Anonymous User
Anonymous User said:
Hi, new here.
what textbook would be best to use? 11th edition College Physics? is there any books that have a lot of questions and problems and they walk you through it? what would be the best way to train to solve these physics problems in a short amount of time off the top of your head?

Anonymous User said:
about five years experience with all the undergrad lower division courses at non-university. then about five years no academics, memory faded.
original textbooks look familiar like newspaper but problems still hard to solve. I've copied a lot of the sections into my own words and going through a lot of the problems, but I cannot recall any of it. i know there are a lot of free mock classes dedicated to making ordinary online users physics literate.
I am looking for a book that is geared towards the newest physics curriculum of educating people, but I know just a Calculus based physics book does not cover the specifics with fields and deeper math approaches for everything.

But what are you doing all of this for? There is a different approach if you are simply doing this for fun and for your own knowledge, versus doing this because you wish to be up to speed for some academic or employment purpose. The former doesn't require you to be properly prepared, whereas the latter does and will require us knowing the exact target that you are shooting for.

Zz.
 
  • Like
Likes Anonymous User
Thanks for the input. I think I am looking for the physics book that is being distributed and taught by the most schools currently. I hope this math book will be good to help with first impression pitfalls when looking at a physics problem. there is the science and building a math function out of a word problem scenario.
 
Anonymous User said:
Thanks for the input. I think I am looking for the physics book that is being distributed and taught by the most schools currently. I hope this math book will be good to help with first impression pitfalls when looking at a physics problem. there is the science and building a math function out of a word problem scenario.

Remember, most used does not usually mean the best.
Alonso and Finn are really good books that are not used anymore. I believe, its mostly do to students poor math background.
Really neat derivation. Everything is build from scratch.

If you want a decent calculus book...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GMPZBGA/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Very good book.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/053439339X/?tag=pfamazon01-20
This book is ok. Use it for problems... I would read the explanations in Thomas, then do problems in stewart.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000L3UO2A/?tag=pfamazon01-20
My favorite calculus book. A forgotten gem. Great balance between theory and applied. Really neat coverage of topics. Explains the Nested Interval Postulate, and how it is equivalent to some other mathematical statements.

This book may be a little hard, but you will become good at the application of calculus to physics problems.
 
  • #10
11 editions? If they can't get it right by the second edition, they should just give up.

There aren't 11 editions because of constant advances in pedagogy or great new discoveries in freshman physics, there are 11 editions to reduce competition from used book sales. Your original textbooks are just fine.
 

Similar threads

Replies
0
Views
701
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
32
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
4K
Back
Top