Physics textbook recommendation?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the search for a suitable physics textbook for a university student completing their first semester. The student is looking for a resource to aid their understanding, particularly as they begin to encounter integrals and prepare for their second semester. Recommendations include Kleppner, which is praised for its depth but noted to require a solid understanding of calculus concepts. Other suggested texts are Resnick, Giancoli, and Serway, which are more introductory but less rigorous. The student expresses a need for a personal textbook since their course does not provide one, and they plan to consult professors for additional recommendations. It is advised that the student wait until after completing Calculus 2 to ensure they have the necessary mathematical foundation before tackling more advanced physics texts. Additionally, the possibility of accessing free online textbooks is mentioned as an alternative.
David04161997
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I'm finishing my first semester in my university and I'm going to need a good physics textbook to help me out at home. I'm starting to see integrals so I guess I can defend myself a little math wise, by the time I start my second semester (that's when I'll really need the book) I'm going to know a little bit more, sooo, what physics textbook do you guys recommend? My profesor recommended me that tippens book but I thinck it's no going to be enough for what I'm going to have to learn. What do you guys think about Zemanskys, Halliday and Resnick, and Klepper (the books obviously). I can't really by any really uncommon books since they are almost imposible to buy here where I live.
 
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David04161997 said:
I'm going to need a good physics textbook to help me out at home.

This depends a lot on what you want to get stronger in. If you want to get ahead for the second semester, I would recommend checking out the planned course literature for the courses you are going to take and read ahead.

David04161997 said:
I can't really by any really uncommon books since they are almost imposible to buy here where I live.

Now, I do not know where you live, but many online bookstores will deliver by post.
 
Kleppner is really good!
You need to specify some topics! It will be easier to suggest then!
 
shre said:
Kleppner is really good!
You need to specify some topics! It will be easier to suggest then!
I need a little bit of everything. I'm hoping I can use the books as a guide while I'm studying.
 
Orodruin said:
This depends a lot on what you want to get stronger in. If you want to get ahead for the second semester, I would recommend checking out the planned course literature for the courses you are going to take and read ahead.

I'm going to talk to some profesor and ask them what books are worth buying. Thanks man!
 
Kleppner is a good book. However if you have not seen integration (by parts, u sub, partial fraction, trig substitution), polar coordinates, or other material covered in a course calculus 2 in America. Then the book will be out of your understanding. Resnick, Giancoli, and Serway can be found cheap and introduce people to physics. However, they are not rigorous by any means. So a book such as Kleppner should be used after to get a stronger foundation.
 
Are you going to take a physics course next semester? What's wrong with the textbook assigned to it?

There are some free textbooks for intro physics available online. Have you checked into those?
 
vela said:
Are you going to take a physics course next semester? What's wrong with the textbook assigned to it?

There are some free textbooks for intro physics available online. Have you checked into those?

Yes I am, I'm taking Fundamental Physics I, but we don't get any textbooks, although they do recommend us books to check in the library. I wanted to have a book that I could have so I don't have to depend on the availability of the books in the library.
 
MidgetDwarf said:
Kleppner is a good book. However if you have not seen integration (by parts, u sub, partial fraction, trig substitution), polar coordinates, or other material covered in a course calculus 2 in America. Then the book will be out of your understanding. Resnick, Giancoli, and Serway can be found cheap and introduce people to physics. However, they are not rigorous by any means. So a book such as Kleppner should be used after to get a stronger foundation.

Well, I'm taking calculus 2 in two months so I guess I should wait a little until I have a stronger foundation in math.
 
  • #10
Wait till after calculus 2
 

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