200 Puzzling Physics Problems: With Hints and Solutions [Paperback]

P. Gnädig (Author), G. Honyek (Author), K. F. Riley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521774802 | ISBN-13: 978-0521774802 | Publication Date: August 13, 2001 | Edition: 1

This text will strengthen a student's ability to apply the laws of physics to practical situations and problems that yield more easily to intuitive insight than to complex mathematics. These problems, chosen almost exclusively from classical (non-quantum) physics, are posed in accessible nontechnical language and require the student to select the right framework in which to analyze the situation. The book will be invaluable to undergraduates preparing for "general physics" papers. Some physics professors will even find the more difficult questions challenging. The mathematical prerequisites are minimal and do not go beyond elementary calculus. This intriguing book of physics problems will prove instructive, challenging and fun.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'... the authors have done a grand job in collecting together some truly challenging puzzles ... The solutions are explained in great detail, and that is a real strength ... it is a book containing a number of gems and surprises ...'. David L. Andrews, European Journal of Physics

'... a book like this ... has long been needed and will be indispensable for teachers and lecturers.' Waldemar Gorzkowski, Physics World

' ... a delightful book, which is both instructive and entertaining ... intriguing,' Brian L. Burrows, Zentralblatt für Mathematik und ihre Grenzgebiete Mathematics Abstracts

'... a source of inspiration not only to exceptional school students and good undergraduates, but also to academics ... buy this book even if you are not under the shadow of a 'general paper' - it is a lot of fun.' Trevor Bacon, Times Higher Education Supplement

Book Description

This book will strengthen a student's grasp of the laws of physics by applying them to practical problems that yield more easily to intuitive insight than brute-force methods or complex mathematics. The two hundred questions are intriguingly posed in non-technical language. The level of sophistication needed to tackle most of the problems is that of the exceptional school student, the good undergraduate, or the competent graduate student. It is hoped that all students of physics (and even some physics professors) will find the problems fascinating, challenging and fun.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (August 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521774802
• ISBN-13: 978-0521774802
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #251,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Challenging problems for honors physics students, September 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: 200 Puzzling Physics Problems: With Hints and Solutions (Paperback)

The problems are generally at the level of International Physics Olympiad competitions or higher, and are very suitable for freshman/sophomore honors physics courses. The problems are tough and very interesting, with many unique and unusual twists, guaranteed to challenge even the best students preparing for physics competitions at the senior high school and undergraduate levels. I would guess that those sitting for PhD qualifying exams will have difficulties with some of the problems. The surprise is that the solutions require no more than elementary calculus, although lots of original critical thinking and insight are necessary.

Gnadig and Honyek are both leading the Hungarian physics olympiad teams for many years, while Riley is a Fellow of Clare College, University of Cambridge. Riley had a previous equally interesting but slightly less difficult problem book called "Problems for Physics Students," covering quite a few interesting Cambridge Natural Sciences Tripos and entrance exam type questions for the best UK high school students.

If you are a physics buff, you will derive countless hours of enjoyment (and frustration - if you resist the temptation of looking at the provided solutions too soon), plus it will bring your understanding of classical physics to a deeper level.

A few other worthy physics problem books include Thomas & Raine's "Physics to a Degree" for undergraduates, and Dendy's "Cambridge Problems in Physics" for high school students aiming for Cambridge University entrance. The Russian books "Problems in General Physics" by Irodov and "Problems in Elementary Physics" by Bukhovtsev are very good too but they may be harder to find. An upcoming excellent (and tough) classical mechanics problem book is David Morin's Physics 16 course text at Harvard - still in its draft form but downloadable from Harvard website.