Posted on 07/10/2008 6:51:50 PM PDT by free me
My wife just took up an interest in physics. What would be a good book for her to start with?
I've never posted a vanity thread before, but I'm sure there is no better people to ask than my fine freeper friends.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!
Relativity by Einstein might be a good choice.
My personal favorites are the The Feynman Lectures on Physics volumes I, II and II
Thank you. Is there a book that maybe explains what the study of physics is and where the field stand today?
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.
Oh no, we both said the same thing! Those books do use quite a bit of calculus after the first few chapters though, don’t they?
“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.
Some math? I too think that they are great but there is a lot of math : ) Some of Feymans books are very funny and great reads.
Thank you. I have warned her about the math. She is certainly capable but I think to start with the “pop physics” route is the way to go for now.
When I was in high school, we used Giancoli's physics textbook, which only required algebra. The AP kids used Tipler's books.
They are all relative motion, but have nothing to do with the Theory of Relativity : )
“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
Space Child’s Mother Goose. Frederick Windsor.
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
It’s a personal persuit.
Ok, that’s good to know. I will study relative motion.
Thank you!
“pop physics”
Could I have substituted that for Physics 101?
The “Feynman Lectures on Physics” is the all-time classic. Caltec owns rights to his books, probably available through Amazon, but much can be found on-line through a search on the quotes. Einstein’s books require too much knowledge in mathematics like the Taylor Series Transform for most to begin to understand. The Feynmann Lectures were more of a classical physics for the non-physics PHD.
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
Thanks everyone. I knew I would get the best and most exhaustive advice here.
I now must read about 15 books to keep ahead of the MRS.
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
Yeah, they do require some math skills. =o)
I think someone who is at least good at algebra would be OK with Newtonian physics, and classical mechanics. Electricity and Magnetism are going to need some calculus, especially when dealing with flux thorough a curved surfaces in 3D space. After that, Quantum Mechanics needs strong math skills. The wave equations deal with complex numbers, and the math gets very difficult.
Great, now I have to look up the “law of intertia”!!
JK/thanks!
I agree with the Feynman lectures.
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.
I was referring to books like “The Universe in a Nutshell” and others like that.
Oh MY!
Well, we could rephrase the question. What if the car was traveling at .75c and the fly had a wrist watch? LOL
physics is the study of?
hmmmm, The Mrs. is a telecommunications professional. Perhaps Newtonian is the way to start,
I’ll be showing her this thread tommorow,we’ll see what happens.
Thanks for the input!
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!
Now now, we all know what Physics is.
I recall a pretty good physics book that was gentle on the math side called “Physics for the Life Sciences” by Alan Cromer. As the name implies, it was written for someone with a biomedical interest, but who doesn’t need the heavy math going into the calculus, differential equations, and such. It should be out of print by now, but you might be able to pick it up used.
The Tao of Physics.
The Matter Myth
Super Strings and the Theory of Everything
A Brief History of Time
Cosmos
Everything inside the car, including the air molecules, are all traveling at 75mph.
The air, and the insect, are not even aware that they are moving as they are not experiencing any friction with the road or the outside air.
On the other hand, the car tires and windshield are experiencing considerable friction with the unmoving roadway and outside air.
The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene.
In Search of Schrödinger’s Cat by John Gribbon.
I flunked out of a computer repair class in the 80’s,darn zenor diods.
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