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08-23-2006
|  | Explaining | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Republic of Ireland
Posts: 625
| | | Physics Textbook.
I was thinking of doing a degree primarily based on Experimental Physics, however, I don't have any formal grounding in this area, but I have an interest in it. Is there any physics textbook that fulfils the following criteria:
1. Usable for beginners who have never studied physics before.
2. Broad enough to cover most topics in reasonable but understandable for the beginners detail.
3. I have never done maths involving physics before.
Also do you have to read the mathematical parts of the text, are they important. Is there any book that fulfils this criteria?
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08-23-2006
|  | - | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 8,360
| | | Re: Physics Textbook.
I would avoid textbooks and go to regular books by authors with a background in physics. Isaac Asimov, Kip Thorne, John Gribben. There are surely hundreds, those are just three that came to my mind immediately.
Best of luck. 
__________________ Remember, we cannot see everything even when it is there right in front of us. "We succeeded in taking that picture [from deep space], and, if you look at it, you see a dot. That's here. That's home. That's us." - YouTube: Pale Blue Dot (Photo of Earth, February 1990 - Voyager 1: Distance of Pluto) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
InfiniteNow |
08-23-2006
|  | Suspended | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 1,587
| | | Re: Physics Textbook.
Search the forums. A couple of us have recommended the motion mountain free online physics textbook.
motionmountain.org
While I haven't looked it over completely yet, it seems to be pretty good for any and all levels of physics.
Otherwise the most commonly used on is written by Serway, Physics for Scientists and Engineers (not sure what version they are on now.)
Check out half.com for used ones. http://product.half.ebay.com/Physics...17926QQtgZinfo |
08-23-2006
|  | son et lumire | | Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In Dark Trees
Posts: 2,078
| | | Re: Physics Textbook.
the best thing i ever did with an intrest in physics is get "a breif history of time" by stephen hawking. that book really got me started on the basic concepts. other than that, Brian Greene is a good author, too. by Greene i would suggest "the Eligant Universe" and "the Fabric of the Cosmos". have fun, Prolo,
__________________ -tarantism 
Last edited by Tarantism; 08-23-2006 at 01:59 PM.
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08-23-2006
| | Suspended | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 1,587
| | | Re: Physics Textbook.
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Tarantism the best thing i ever did with an intrest in physics is get "a breif history of time" by stephen hawking. other than that, Brian Greene is a good author, too. | It is available on the web. You don't have to buy it. I have the address somewhere, but I got to run. |
08-24-2006
| | Explaining | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Republic of Ireland
Posts: 625
| | | Re: Physics Textbook.
Although I do have the motion mountain book from ages ago, I find the maths part of it dificult to follow, will it always be this way reading for the first time?
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I don't need to convince you to become an Atheist, because even if you call yourself Religious, you still believe in Nothing!
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08-24-2006
| | Suspended | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 1,587
| | | Re: Physics Textbook.
Probably. There are additional books that discuss math for physicists. There is also a physics math for dummies book out there that I'm sure explains pretty well.
Perhaps first you need to find a good math text that will teach advanced algebra, trig and calc, series, fourier analysis, ... |
08-28-2006
|  | Thinking | | Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 76
| | | Re: Physics Textbook.
I would suggest you read Bill Bryson's book "A Short History Of Nearly Everything".  |
08-29-2006
|  | Explaining | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Carolina
Posts: 660
| | | Re: Physics Textbook.
I am partial to the demystified series! Their book Physics Demystified is a great book. It begins by going over math and that you need to be familiar with. Then it takes you step by step through physics.
Another great book is " Great Ideas in Physics" by Alan Lightman. It breaks down the law of conservation of energy, The second law of thermodynamics, the theory of relativity, and quantum mechanics.
__________________ psalms 23 The difference between genius and stupidity... genius has its limits. |
08-30-2006
| | Explaining | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Republic of Ireland
Posts: 625
| | | Re: Physics Textbook.
Is the level of math and Physics too high for a beginner?
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