Suggest a physics textbook for me

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for physics textbooks suitable for students preparing for engineering entrance exams in India, specifically at the +2 level. Participants share their experiences and suggest various textbooks that cover topics such as Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Quantum Mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions having purchased "Concepts of Physics" by H.C. Verma and "Physics" by Halliday and Resnick, along with "Problems in General Physics" by I.E. Irodov, and seeks feedback on these choices.
  • Some participants affirm that Halliday and Resnick is a solid choice for foundational physics, while others suggest that it may not be the best for specific topics like optics.
  • There is a discussion about the difficulty of Irodov's problems, with some participants questioning their necessity for IIT-JEE preparation.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the newer editions of Halliday and Resnick, suggesting that the 1967 edition may be superior due to perceived biases in the newer editions.
  • Several participants recommend additional resources, including "University Physics" by Sears and Zemansky and problem books from Arihant, while others caution about the quality of some suggested texts.
  • Concerns are raised about the adequacy of the electromagnetism content in the recommended books for IIT-JEE preparation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that Halliday and Resnick, along with H.C. Verma, are good choices for physics preparation. However, there is disagreement regarding the necessity and usefulness of Irodov's problems, as well as the quality of newer editions of Halliday and Resnick. Multiple competing views on the best resources remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the discussion is influenced by personal experiences with different editions of textbooks and the varying levels of difficulty in problem sets. There is also mention of the specific requirements for IIT-JEE preparation, which may not align with the content of all suggested texts.

  • #31
loom91 said:
He specifically said that the 1967 edition was far better than the current Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resick and Walker.

Hey, can you tell me from where did you get the 1967 edition? I currently use 8th edition of the book, and would like to check if I find the 1967 one better.
 

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