Relativity by Einstein might be a good choice.
My personal favorites are the The Feynman Lectures on Physics volumes I, II and II
How advanced and which physics? Classical, Quantum, Relativity? Maybe a book on the history of physics?
I’m not sure, but if she finds this, let me know.
How can an insect fly around inside a car that is going 75 miles an hour? Or something dropped inside the car goes straight down. How is the outside the moving vehicle the only thing that is affected?
I know it has something to do with the Theory of Relativity, but I don’t know enough about it to answer that riddle for myself.
“Physics” is a very broad subject covering everything from gravity to how light refracts through a lens to how a pendulum works to quantum physics. Unless your wife has at least a minor in math, stay away from any college level books.
“Seven ideas that shook the universe”
I bought the book in College in the 80s...still relevant today.
At what level is she starting? Is she interested in the subject as an academic type interest or a personal pursuit?
This will let people know what books would fit her specific interest.
All the best!
DK
Halliday & Resnick
These books were used by all students who went for a BS in any school.
In that case I've always been partial to the Halliday and Resnick text. It's calculus based and the examples are great. And I just think it's formatted better.
If you're looking for an eclectic mix the Feynman lectures on Physics are wonderful. There is some history of mathematics stuff in there that makes you realize that Feynman wasn't just brilliant he could break stuff down and render it understandable.
On the same note if you're looking for some understanding of Quantum Mechanics Feynman's QED is a great read explaining the essence of Quantum Electrodynamics to the lay person.
And if you like the lay person's type of guide to Quantum Mechanics then the book GHOST IN THE ATOM is a nice synopsis of what the argument is all about in quantum mechanics. I believe it was based on a series of interviews broadcast on the BBC.
Finally if you don't want to tackle calculus (which by the way isn't that bad and is the only way to really understand what is going on in physics) I believe the Giancoli series has an algebra only based text. But the real beauty of how classical physics works will be lost and your understanding will be choppy.
Physics is so huge and broad. But if I wanted to take a first step I would go to a “Dummie” book first:
http://www.amazon.com/Physics-Dummies-Math-Science/dp/0764554336/ref=pd_sim_b_2
Buy low, sell high.
Whoops, wrong thread, but it’s still good advice.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Physics
This my sound silly, but they provide a good overview of the topics, and are at the beginner's level
After almost ten years on Free Republic and just posting your first vanity post, I’d say you’ve overcome the law of inertia.:-0
How about “Physics in a Male Patriarchal Society from a Feminine Perspective in a Modernistic Sustainable Environment”?
Find a good book on Newtonian mechanics. If one starts any higher it’s like trying to run a marathon before you can run a mile.
Find a good book on Newtonian mechanics. If one starts any higher it’s like trying to run a marathon before you can run a mile.
physics is the study of?
I am a college student studying physics and mathematics.
I am not going to recommend a book, but instead some very excellent videos.
One of the best physics “teaching” professors in the world was featured in the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/19/education/19physics.html
His video lectures are available for free from the MIT here:
Physics I:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-01Physics-IFall1999/VideoLectures/index.htm
Physics II:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-02Electricity-and-MagnetismSpring2002/VideoAndCaptions/index.htm
These lectures are the first year of college physics. The demonstrations in these videos are very entertaining as well. Good luck!