Physics Textbook.

[LJP07]

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?

[InfiniteNow]

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.

[cwes99_03]

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

[Tarantism]

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,

[cwes99_03]

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.

[LJP07]

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?

[cwes99_03]

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, ...

[jamongo]

I would suggest you read Bill Bryson's book "A Short History Of Nearly Everything".

[learnin to learn]

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.

[LJP07]

Is the level of math and Physics too high for a beginner?