Recommend me an introductory physics textbook that is more theoretical?

[zeion]

Hi there,

I've started working through Spivak Calculus, and was wondering if there is an introductory physics textbook that is of similar level of difficulty?

I have Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Knight but it's a little slow.

Thanks.

 

[atyy]

Kleppner and Kolenkow http://books.google.com/books?id=Hmqvhu7s4foC&dq=kleppner&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Fettrer and Walecka http://books.google.com/books?id=olMpStYOlnoC&dq=fetter+and+walecka&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Also the first volume of Feynman's lectures.

 

[robphy]

Second vote for Kleppner...
However, Fetter & Walecka is not an introductory physics text... It's more like a graduate-level text.

Interesting alternatives to the standard intro texts:

Moore, http://www.physics.pomona.edu/sixideas/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0072291524/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Chabay & Sherwood, http://matterandinteractions.org/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471354910/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Rex & Jackson, http://www.math.ups.edu/~martinj/calcphys/calcphys.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0201473968/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Alonso & Finn,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0201565188/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[qspeechc]

Interesting alternatives to the standard intro texts:

Alonso & Finn,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0201565188/?tag=pfamazon01-20

According to the review by Peltio the second editions ('revised' edition) has been watered down from the first, as often happens with great textbooks. I have the first edition of Alonso & Finn and I agree it is a very good book. I have not seen the 2nd edition but I would be surprised if it has indeed been watered down as Peltio says, in which case it is probably like all the other books out there.

If you can find a cheap copy of the 1st edition I say buy it, otherwise don't bother with this new edition ('revised' as they call it). I see all the 1st edition copies are hideously expensive, so maybe look elsewhere.

 

[robphy]

Possibly interesting reading:
http://www.math.uga.edu/~shifrin/Spivak_physics.pdf

 

[qspeechc]

Possibly interesting reading:
http://www.math.uga.edu/~shifrin/Spivak_physics.pdf

The book is already out:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0914098322/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Reading the reviews it sounds much too advanced for a beginner.

 

[Snicker]

Matter and Motion by James C. Maxwell. This really is one of the best books available. It is is in public domain (obviously) so you can probably download/view it free somewhere. If you prefer print, Dover sells it for like $10.

 

[zeion]

Thanks for all the recommendations I will check them out.

 

[radium]

For electromagnetism, I recommend Edward Purcell.

 

[Astronuc]

If one feels adventuresome, try the Course of Theoretical Physics by L. D. LANDAU & E. M. LIFSHITZ.

The first in the series is Mechanics - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0750628960/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[qspeechc]

Ya, Landau and Lifgarbagez is a graduate level book, and even they find it difficult! Definitely not for beginners. If you want a graduate level, or advanced undergrad, book try Goldstein. But that's still a bad idea for a beginner.

 

[robphy]

The book is already out:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0914098322/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Reading the reviews it sounds much too advanced for a beginner.

Yes, I bought it when it came out.
Although it is probably too advanced for a beginner,
[parts of] it might be interesting for the OP since Spivak's Calculus was mentioned.