University Physics by Young & Freedman - Self Study

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the suitability of the Young and Freedman physics text for self-study in preparation for a physics degree. Participants explore concerns about the text's difficulty level compared to their calculus background and the expectations of university-level physics courses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern that the Young and Freedman text feels too basic compared to their experience with calculus, questioning if it will adequately prepare them for university-level physics.
  • Another participant inquires about the original poster's background and plans for starting in an introductory mechanics class, suggesting that course structure may vary by institution.
  • A participant notes that most freshman physics texts assume concurrent calculus knowledge and start gently, implying that the Young and Freedman text will become more challenging as the course progresses.
  • One participant shares their own experience with calculus-based physics, indicating they want to review various topics, including optics and relativity, to avoid being unprepared for more complex material at a new school.
  • A suggestion is made to contact a professor or undergraduate department for reassurance about the text's appropriateness.
  • A participant references the use of the Young and Freedman text in MIT's freshman physics class, suggesting that if the original poster's school is not significantly more difficult, they should be fine with their current choice of text.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the adequacy of the Young and Freedman text for preparation, with some feeling it may be too basic while others believe it is appropriate for introductory courses. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to self-study and preparation for university-level physics.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention varying backgrounds in physics and calculus, which may influence their perspectives on the text's difficulty. There is also an acknowledgment of different course structures across institutions that could affect the relevance of the text.

truman
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Am I being lulled by a basic text?

I am re-studying basic physics and calculus for a run at a physics degree. I am using the Stewart text for calculus and I find it challenging.

I am using the Young and Freedman physics text, and I find the calculus-based portions incredibly basic. I am afraid if I am not using a challenging enough text, I will be hit with a brick wall when I re-enroll at university.

Am I on the right course with this text?
 
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Do you plan to start out in the intro mechanics class? What is your background?
 
xdrgnh said:
Do you plan to start out in the intro mechanics class? What is your background?

This. I think most schools start the core classes after calc based physics 2 (e&m / waves, opticks, motion).
 
I've only had calc based phyics, I&II. We did not do optics or relativity, just mechanics and some e&m, and motion.

I wanted to review those subjects, do optics and (basic) relativity, basically this whole text. I just don't want to get to a new school and instead of deriving a very basic formula, they're integrating some huge formula with CAS. I can figure that out, I just want to be prepared.
 
truman said:
I've only had calc based phyics, I&II. We did not do optics or relativity, just mechanics and some e&m, and motion.

I wanted to review those subjects, do optics and (basic) relativity, basically this whole text. I just don't want to get to a new school and instead of deriving a very basic formula, they're integrating some huge formula with CAS. I can figure that out, I just want to be prepared.

you'll be fine, email a professor or someone in the undergrad dept to be safe.
 
Most freshman physics texts are written with the expectation that students are taking calculus concurrently, i.e. they don't know much calculus the first few weeks. They start out very gently with the math, but it will ramp up.

If you go here
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-01-physics-i-fall-2003/syllabus/
you will see that Young and Freedman was used in the freshman physics class at MIT not very long ago. So assuming your school isn't a lot harder than MIT, you should be fine.

That site should also give you some good practice exams, and it also has video lectures (based on a different text, I think).
 
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