Classical Physics book with explanations instead of definitions?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around a student seeking a more approachable physics textbook, as their current resource, "Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach" by Knight, feels overly formal. The student is looking for a book that explains concepts in a friendlier manner while still providing the depth necessary for college-level understanding, particularly in electromagnetism and flux. Suggestions include the Feynman Lectures, which are available online and are praised for their engaging style. The conversation emphasizes the importance of finding accessible educational resources that still meet academic requirements.
Cole
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Hello everyone, I am taking my third term of physics right now, and we are talking about flux at the moment. This terms is supposed to be a lot about E&M.

Though I find that our textbook (Physics for scientists and engineers a strategic approach 4/e) is very textbooky. I was wondering if there is such thing as a physics book that is written less formally and would be written more like a friend was explaining the concepts to me instead of a dictionary. But it would of course also have to do into the depth I need in order to do well in a college class.

Does such a thing exist? The closes thing I have found is khan academy, but they don't have videos on everything we are talking about.

Let me know if you have any suggestions!
 
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Tip: most people refer to physics and math textbooks by the name(s) of their author(s) because the titles are so similar. You're using Knight's book, right? (a fairly well known calculus-based first-year university intro physics book)

You might look at the Feynman lectures, which are (legally) available online:

http://www.feynmanlectures.info/

Click on "Read" in the menu at the left side of the page.
 
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jtbell said:
Tip: most people refer to physics and math textbooks by the name(s) of their author(s) because the titles are so similar. You're using Knight's book, right? (a fairly well known calculus-based first-year university intro physics book)

You might look at the Feynman lectures, which are (legally) available online:

http://www.feynmanlectures.info/

Click on "Read" in the menu at the left side of the page.
Wow thank you this looks really helpful!
 
jtbell said:
Tip: most people refer to physics and math textbooks by the name(s) of their author(s) because the titles are so similar. You're using Knight's book, right? (a fairly well known calculus-based first-year university intro physics book)

You might look at the Feynman lectures, which are (legally) available online:

http://www.feynmanlectures.info/

Click on "Read" in the menu at the left side of the page.
And yes you're right this is Knight's book.
 
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I’ve heard that in some countries (for example, Argentina), the curriculum is structured differently from the typical American program. In the U.S., students usually take a general physics course first, then move on to a textbook like Griffiths, and only encounter Jackson at the graduate level. In contrast, in those countries students go through a general physics course (such as Resnick-Halliday) and then proceed directly to Jackson. If the slower, more gradual approach is considered...

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