College Physics (with PhysicsNow) [Hardcover]

Raymond A. Serway (Author), Jerry S. Faughn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0534492584 | ISBN-13: 978-0534492588 | Edition: 6

The main objectives of this introductory physics book are twofold: to provide the student with a clear and logical presentation of the basic concepts and principles of physics, and to strengthen an understanding of the concepts and principles through a broad range of interesting applications to the real world. In order to meet these objectives, emphasis is placed on sound physical arguments and discussions of everyday experiences and observations. At the same time, the student is motivated through practical examples that demonstrate the role of physics in other disciplines. This sixth edition features new pedagogy in keeping with the findings of physics education research. The rich, new pedagogy has been integrated within the framework of an established and reliable text, facilitating its use by instructors. This text, which covers the standard topics in classical physics and 20th century physics, is divided into six parts. Newtonian mechanics and the physics of fluids (Part I); heat and thermodynamics (Part II); wave motion and sound (Part III); electricity and magnetism (Part IV); properties of light and the field of geometric and wave optics (Part V); and an introduction to special relativity, quantum physics, and atomic and nuclear physics (Part VI).

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Raymond A. Serway received his Doctorate at Illinois Institute of Technology and is Professor Emeritus at James Madison University. In 1990, he received the Madison Scholar Award at James Madison University, where he taught for 17 years. Dr. Serway began his teaching career at Clarkson University, where he conducted research and taught from 1967 to 1980. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award at Clarkson University in 1977 and of the Alumni Achievement Award from Utica College in 1985. As Guest Scientist at the IBM Research Laboratory in Zurich, Switzerland, he worked with K. Alex Müller, 1987 Nobel Prize recipient. Dr. Serway also was a visiting scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, where he collaborated with his mentor and friend, Sam Marshall. Dr. Serway is also the co-author of PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS, Fourth Edition, PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS, Sixth Edition, MODERN PHYSICS, Third Edition, and the high-school textbook PHYSICS, published by Holt, Rinehart, & Winston. In addition, Dr. Serway has published more than 40 research papers in the field of condensed matter physics and has given more than 60 presentations at professional meetings. Dr. Serway and his wife Elizabeth enjoy traveling, golfing, fishing, and spending quality time with their four children and six grandchildren.

Jerry S. Faughn earned his doctorate at the University of Mississippi. He is Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Eastern Kentucky University. He is co-author of a non-mathematical physics text and a physical science text for general education students, and (with Dr. Serway) the high-school textbook PHYSICS, published by Holt, Rinehart, & Winston. He has taught courses ranging from the lower division to the graduate level, but his primary interest is in students just beginning to learn physics. He has been director of a number of NSF and state grants, many of which were devoted to the improvement of physics education. He believes that there is no greater calling than to be a teacher and an interpreter of physics for others.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1056 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 6 edition (April 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534492584
• ISBN-13: 978-0534492588
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A High School Student's Perspective, July 15, 2002

By 

Mike Lariviere (Glencoe, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: College Physics (Hardcover)

I used this book for physics my sophomore year, and I have mixed feelings regarding the book. On one hand, the text does not clearly and concisely explain concepts, but on the other hand, the end-of-chapter summaries and the practice problems were great preparation for tests. I doubt you will find more difficult problems than those this author gives, and your teacher would have to be a sadist to test you with problems harder than these. As another reviewer stated, you must couple this book with the lessons of a teacher - it would be very difficult to attain a firm grasp of the concepts based on this book alone. But if you're looking for concise lists of equations and challenging applications, this book will serve you well.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unhelpful and poorly edited College Physics, August 26, 2003

By 

Dan-O (san francisco, california United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: College Physics (with PhysicsNow) (Hardcover)

Where do I begin?
The chapter discussions are not clear nor are they laid out in a logical sequence.
The problems at the end of each chapter are complex with no hints or solutions guide to help you along. Some of the fomulas that are required appear to be plucked from thin air, because they are not to be found in the text.
The book has an attractive cover which blies the obscure and confusing contents.
I am a straight A student in the sciences. I consider myself competent when it comes to deciphering other peoples explinations and examples. Having said that, I would never, under any circumstances, recommend this book to a beginning Physics student.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book is pathetic, October 9, 2003

By 

Richard A. Walker "Rich" (Georgetown, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: College Physics (with PhysicsNow) (Hardcover)

I am taking college physics as well as my second semester of general chemistry. This book in no way compares to my chemistry text. I am a very good college student with a BS in computer science and a strong physics background,... and even for me this book is extremely hard to follow. That is the consensus among my fellow students which include a friend who already has his MBA. There is not much explanation of concepts before you jump into the problems, and there are not nearly enough example problems worked in the text. Additionally, considering this is the 6th edition I am surprised to still find errors in the text.

Don't even consider purchasing the student solution manual. I think it works out about 15 of the end of chapter problems per chapter, which is not very many.