Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Paul Tipler and Gene Mosca

[Astronuc]

• Author: Paul A. Tipler, Gene Mosca
• Title: Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Standard Version [Hardcover]
• Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0716783398/?tag=pfamazon01-20
• Prerequisites: Calculus
• Level: Undergraduate

Table of Contents

Mechanics, Fluids, Oscillations/Waves, Thermodynamics

Chapter 1: Measurement and Vectors
Chapter 2: Motion in One Dimension
Chapter 3: Motion in Two and Three Dimensions
Chapter 4: Newton's Laws
Chapter 5: Additional Applications of Newton's Laws
Chapter 6: Work and Kinetic Energy
Chapter 7: Conservation of Energy
Chapter 8: Conservation of Linear Momentum
Chapter 9: Rotation
Chapter 10: Angular Momentum
Chapter R: Special Relativity (Extended Version only)
Chapter 11: Gravity
Chapter 12: Static Equilibrium and Elasticity
Chapter 13: Fluids
Chapter 14: Oscillations
Chapter 15: Traveling Waves
Chapter 16: Superposition and Standing Waves
Chapter 17: Temperature and Kinetic Theory of Gases
Chapter 18: Heat and the First Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 19: The Second Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 20: Thermal Properties and Processes


Electricity & Magnetism (EM), Intro QM, Atoms & Molecules, Relativity, Nuclear

Chapter 21: The Electric Field I: Discrete Charge Distributions
Chapter 22: The Electric Field II: Continuous Charge Distributions
Chapter 23: Electric Potential
Chapter 24: Capacitance
Chapter 25: Electric Current and Direct-Current Circuits
Chapter 26: The Magnetic Field
Chapter 27: Sources of the Magnetic Field
Chapter 28: Magnetic Induction
Chapter 29: Alternating-Current Circuits
Chapter 30: Maxwell's Equations and Electromagnetic Waves
Chapter 31: Properties of Light
Chapter 32: Optical Images
Chapter 33: Interference and Diffractions
Chapter 34: Wave-Particle Duality and Quantum Physics
Chapter 35: Applications of the Schrödinger Equation
Chapter 36: Atoms
Chapter 37: Molecules
Chapter 38: Solids
Chapter 39: Relativity
Chapter 40: Nuclear Physics
Chapter 41: Elementary Particles and the Beginning of the Universe

 

[Snicker]

What got me into physics was reading Tipler in middle school, so I admit my review may be bit biased.

However, all of the canonical "AP Physics" books aren't worth their price, Tipler included. When comparing the Tipler etc. texts with those of Feynmann, JJ Thomson/Poynting, Maxwell, or even with the specialized texts (Kleppner, Purcell etc.), it is difficult to recommend the Tipler etc. texts to any budding physicist.

In terms of the problems, I think that Tipler is somewhat more difficult than its competitors, so I'd recommend it above Halliday, Serway, etc. The examples are non-trivial too. Overall, it is an okay book for an AP Physics class, but only because of the pathetically low bar set by collegeboard.

 

[Mmm_Pasta]

This is my favourite introductory physics text. It is playful as one can tell from some of the problems: a monkey falling from a tree, grabbing a dollar from under a block, riding a skateboard and a block on an incline, etc. If you enjoy a text that isn't too serious and a nice collection of problems to choose from, use this text.