# What Physics C textbook is easiest to self-study?

1. Oct 3, 2007

### Farzan

Hello,

I am a student interested in learning AP Physics C material on my own because the class is not offered at my school.

My goals are
- 5 on the AP Physics C exam(s)
- Know calculus-based physics to compete in Science Olympiad

I have taken the Physics B exam and Calc AB/BC exams (5 on all of them), and I'm also taking Calculus 3 from a nearby college.

I would think a textbook on calculus based physics would be the best way to learn it. What would you recommend?

Thanks!

2. Oct 3, 2007

### bravernix

I don't think you can ever go wrong with Halliday & Resnick.

3. Oct 6, 2007

### maphco

That's the book my physics teacher gave me to use when I asked him if I could try for physics C, and he knows his stuff.

4. Oct 6, 2007

### bravernix

It really is a good book, although quite expensive. But, it may be possible to find an older version for less. Also, Serway (Physics for Scientists & Engineers) seems pretty nice too.

5. Oct 6, 2007

### maphco

Yah, he said that for the school to order it that it'd be about $140 -$150

6. Oct 6, 2007

### bravernix

I think what irks me most about the prices of basic physics textbooks is that the fundamentals do not really change very often. For example, there was a new version of H&R this year, but the last one just came out in 2004. I suppose the obvious thing is that textbook publishers and authors want more money. At my school (probably the same at most), H&R is used for the first three fundamental physics courses. I feel sorry for the people that are taking Physics 2 or 3 this semester and had to buy a new version of the same book.

7. Oct 6, 2007

### maphco

Oi! That's bloody cheap! I don't have the money to go out and buy new books for recreational studying. Hmm... I guess a good stratagy would be to look a few versions of the book back and buy that one :p

8. Nov 25, 2009

### Sakha

You can get some pretty cheap deals with used books at amazon. And most of them come just like new.

9. Nov 26, 2009

### johnnyies

Halliday / Resnick Fundamentals of Physics comes about $40-$50 on Amazon through independent sellers. Brand new.

10. Nov 26, 2009

### Staff: Mentor

If you're self-studying, you don't have to have the latest version of a textbook, unless you know you're going to need it for a course later. The H&R that I used as a college freshman in 1971 has pretty much the same physics as the current edition.