Recommended Textbooks for AP Physics 1/2: Non-Calculus Based Options

[WILL ZHANG]

I'm currently in high school and I'm looking to buy/rent a textbook so I can prepare myself for next year's AP Physics 1/2 class and so I can do well on the AP test. I'm pretty sure the course isn't calculus based. I know for sure my physics class will cover: mechanics, kinetic theory and thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and modern physics. Any recommendations for a good textbook?

So far I'm interested in these textbooks:
1) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321568095/?tag=pfamazon01-20

2)https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0990724301/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[Irene Kaminkowa]

It's quite usual to read 2-4 books to understand the subject.
So, get both of the books, Will )
And be ready for more.

Also, don't forget about MOOCs (khan academy, edx, coursera, udacity) and other youtube videos.
In Physics, it's often better to see than to hear.

 

[Calaver]

I assisted (minimally) in choosing the textbook for the AP Physics 1 class for my school, and I believe that my recommendation and the one that the teacher decided on was https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321625927/?tag=pfamazon01-20(it could have also been https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321879724/?tag=pfamazon01-20 as I don't remember exactly, but I'm pretty sure it was Giancoli. Sorry - I know that's not helpful!). I remember looking at the introduction of Newton's laws in it, and it actually gave fairly good (and in some ways rigorous) explanations, in my opinion, for an algebra based physics text.

 

[MidgetDwarf]

Get a college level calculus based physics book. Any would do, i.e., Giancoli,Resnick, Serway etc.

 

[smodak]

Get a college level calculus based physics book. Any would do, i.e., Giancoli,Resnick, Serway etc.

I do not believe AP Physics 1 is calculus based.

 

[MidgetDwarf]

I do not believe AP Physics 1 is calculus based.

That is great to know. I was under the assumption. :)