Intro Physics What are some textbooks and problem sets I can use to learn physics?

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For those seeking rigorous pre-calculus physics textbooks with problem sets, it's emphasized that a solid understanding of calculus is essential for grasping physics concepts effectively. Instead of limiting oneself to pre-calculus materials, it's recommended to begin learning calculus concurrently with physics. This approach avoids the pitfalls of trying to understand physics without the necessary mathematical foundation. A suggested starting point for calculus is "Thomas Calculus With Analytic Geometry" (3rd edition), which is crucial for building the required skills. After gaining some calculus knowledge, "Alonso and Finn: Fundamental University Physics" is recommended for further study in physics.
vadimuha
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I'm looking to pre-calculus physics textbooks with problems sets. I need something as rigorous as possible. Problem sets can be separate from textbooks
 
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If I may ask: what is your reason for studying physics. If you really want to understand you will need to know the calculus and so that is where one should start, along with calculus based physics.
 
Indeed, instead of struggling with "pre-calculus physics" rather start learning calculus, which you can also do in parallel by learning physics. Restricting yourself to non-calculus math makes it rather much more difficult than simpler to understand and communicate about physics. It's an unfortunate wrong track by some physics didacts to avoid the adequate math. It's in fact a lie to students to claim you could understand physics without calculus.
 
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A simple calculus book to get you started in learning Calculus is Thomas Calculus With Analytic Geometry 3rd edition. Make sure it is the 3rd edition. Higher number editions are entirely different books.

Once you learn a bit of calculus, have a look at Alonso and Finn: Fundamental University Physics.
 

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