Which Physics Textbooks Are Used in US and UK High Schools?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the physics textbooks used in high schools in the US and UK, particularly those provided in public schools for students aged 10 to 18. Participants explore the availability, selection, and nature of these textbooks across different educational stages.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that in the UK, textbooks vary by educational stage: Key Stage 2 and 3 for ages 10 to 14, GCSE for ages 15 to 16, and A Level for ages 17 to 18.
  • One participant requests specific textbook names or links to download them, emphasizing the need for official school textbooks.
  • Another participant clarifies that textbooks are typically loaned to students rather than given for free, challenging the assumption that they are free resources.
  • Some participants express concern about how students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, manage without permanent access to textbooks.
  • It is mentioned that schools have the autonomy to choose which textbooks to use, and there is no universally required book for any subject.
  • One participant suggests that students can rely on their notes for revision after returning textbooks at the end of the school year.
  • Another participant points out that there are free resources available under Creative Commons licenses, which some schools have adopted.
  • Several participants emphasize the lack of a commonly used textbook, indicating that choices depend on individual schools.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there is no single textbook used across schools, and that the selection is determined by individual schools. However, there is disagreement regarding the availability and nature of textbooks, particularly concerning whether they are free or loaned.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the variability in textbook selection across different schools and educational systems, as well as the lack of clarity on the specific titles used in public schools.

rita3
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hello,
I m looking for physics textbooks for high school. specifically the books that students taught at public school (age 10-18). especially from US or UK or any other English speaking country.
thank for your help
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Well in the UK, ages 10 to 18 can be quite a range. The books get more 'in depth' on the subject further on in education.

For ages 10 to 14 you'd be looking for books for Key Stage 2 and 3. For 15 to 16 you'll be looking for GCSE books and 17 to 18 is A Level.

Any search for those terms and the subjects will give you the required books specific to the UK.
 
thank you, i want the exact name of the books or maybe a link to download them.
i need the books that students have in public school.
 
rita3 said:
thank you, i want the exact name of the books or maybe a link to download them.
i need the books that students have in public school.

Why do you want the names? It doesn't matter which book you get as long as it's at the relevant level as I pointed out. That way you know it follows the syllabus.

We will not provide you links to download them. That is illegal.
 
sorry. i need these school textbooks (not any similar book but the free given books) because i make a study for the public schools all over the world
 
rita3 said:
sorry. i need these school textbooks (not any similar book but the free given books) because i make a study for the public schools all over the world

Well the books aren't free. They aren't given out free. They are loaned to the students - who in some cases may purchase them if they want, but this is rare.

I don't know why you believe they are free.
 
anyway, i have no problem to purchase them. in some countries books are free and you can download them from the ministry's of education site
 
The books used are down to the school to decide on.

The government (or exam board for those 16+) simply provides a syllabus which must be covered. How the school teaches that is down to them.

There are no set books for any subject.
 
i didn't know that. that means that students give them back, by the end of school year; how can poor students deal with this; both in UK OR USA; at least can someone suggest the most popular;
 
  • #10
rita3 said:
i didn't know that. that means that students give them back, by the end of school year; how can poor students deal with this;

It works great for poor students. It means that regardless of whether or not you can afford them, you get the required books. You get different books each year / stage so you don't need the old ones.
both in UK OR USA; at least can someone suggest the most popular;

Again, there isn't really a "most popular". It's all about the schools choice.

Most subjects in my school didn't have any books, only handouts from the teachers.
 
  • #11
yes, but if you give back your book, how can you make a revision if you have to;
anyway i suppose that all these books follow a certain curriculum, so can you suggest me the books that you teach;
 
  • #12
rita3 said:
yes, but if you give back your book, how can you make a revision if you have to;

You give the books back once you finish the school year / stage. The next year / stage you get a different book - so during the times you need the books, you have the required materials. If you find the need to look back you have your notes to go through.
anyway i suppose that all these books follow a certain curriculum, so can you suggest me the books that you teach;

Do a Google search as per my first post. That will give you relevant materials.
 
  • #13
i've already done this, but i can't understand much from the cover.
anyway thank you for the advise, i hope that some other teacher will suggest me a specific and common used book for each grade.
 
  • #14
rita3 said:
i've already done this, but i can't understand much from the cover.
anyway thank you for the advise, i hope that some other teacher will suggest me a specific and common used book for each grade.

You're obviously not grasping the whole "there isn't a commonly used book" concept.

Now, if you do the Google as I recommend, that will lead you to places where you can buy the books - again, no illegal links will be given here.

My school used these books for science: http://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/pages/productList.asp?list=ks3_science

I'm sure plenty of other schools do too, but as you can see from the site it isn't a required text and it's purely down to the schools choice.

That site has plenty of school style textbooks, all relevant to what is taught. I don't understand why you couldn't find this yourself, it only took a few words in Google - "key stage 3 science book" - as per previous instruction.
 
  • #15
Rita,
There are some books that you would have to buy, either a digital version or a hard copy, or there are some books which are made to download for free provided under the Creative Commons License. One such site is this:

http://www.lightandmatter.com/books.html

Based on that website, there are some Colleges and High schools that have adopted the use of these free resources (pay if you want a hard copy).

As for a "commonly used book", Jared has hit the point that its up to the school to decide which book to utilize. However, no matter what book you get, it should still cont most if not all of the material of the other textbooks. There is huge pool of books on different subjects, just pull one out of the pool and start reading and practicing.

Good luck :)
 
Last edited:
  • #16
Ivan you are great.
 

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