Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around recommendations for textbooks suitable for high school students preparing for the AP Physics 1/2 classes, specifically focusing on non-calculus based options. Participants share their experiences and suggestions regarding various textbooks and resources that cover topics such as mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, waves, and modern physics.
Discussion Character
- Homework-related
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant seeks recommendations for textbooks that are not calculus based for AP Physics 1/2, listing two specific books they are considering.
- Another participant suggests that reading multiple books (2-4) is common for understanding the subject and encourages exploring MOOCs and video resources for better comprehension.
- A participant mentions their involvement in selecting a textbook for AP Physics 1, recommending a specific book they believe offers good explanations of Newton's laws, although they are uncertain about the exact title.
- Some participants advocate for using college-level calculus based physics books, asserting that any of them would suffice, while also noting that AP Physics 1 is not calculus based.
- Another participant expresses surprise at the clarification that AP Physics 1 is not calculus based, indicating a prior misunderstanding.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
There is a disagreement regarding the appropriateness of calculus based textbooks for AP Physics 1, with some participants recommending them while others emphasize the non-calculus nature of the course. The discussion remains unresolved on which specific textbooks are best suited for the course.
Contextual Notes
Participants express varying levels of certainty about the textbooks and their suitability for the AP Physics 1/2 curriculum, with some recommendations being based on personal experience and others on assumptions about the course content.