Conceptual Physics (11th Edition) [Hardcover]

Paul G. Hewitt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321568095 | ISBN-13: 978-0321568090 | Publication Date: November 5, 2009 | Edition: 11

Brief Description:

Since defining this course 30 years ago, Paul Hewitt’s best-selling book continues to be the benchmark book that two-thirds of professors use and by which all others are judged. In Conceptual Physics, Eleventh Edition Paul Hewitt shows how a compelling book and the most advanced media can be integrated to empower professors as they bring physics to life for non-science majors, both in and out of class. For the Eleventh Edition, Hewitt helps readers connect physics to their everyday experiences and the world around them, and provides additional help on solving mathematical problems.

 

Hewitt’s book is famous for engaging readers with analogies and imagery from real-world situations that build a strong conceptual understanding of physical principles ranging from classical mechanics to modern physics. With this strong foundation, readers are better equipped to understand the equations and formulas of physics, and are motivated to explore the thought-provoking exercises and fun projects in each chapter. The new edition features a fresh new design, content that is more focused on physics applications, and updated pedagogical features.

Key Topics:

About Science, Newton’s First Law of Motion: Inertia, Linear Motion, Newton’s Second Law of Motion: Force and Acceleration

Newton’s Third Law of Motion: Action and Reaction, Momentum, Energy, Rotational Motion, Gravity, Projectile and Satellite Motion

Atomic Nature of Matter, Solids, Liquids, Gases and Plasmas, Temperature, Heat and Expansion, Heat Transfer, Change of Phase

Thermodynamics, Vibrations and Waves, Sound, Musical Sounds, Electrostatics, Electric Current, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction, Properties of Light, Color, Reflection and Refraction, Light Waves, Light Emission, Light Quanta, The Atom and the Quantum, Atomic Nucleus and Radioactivity, Nuclear Fission and Fusion, Special Theory of Relativity, General Theory of Relativity

Appendices

Market: Intended for those interested in learning the basics of conceptual physics

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul G. Hewitt

Former silver-medal boxing champion, sign painter, uranium prospector, and soldier, Paul began college at the age of 27, with the help of the GI Bill. He pioneered the conceptual approach to teaching physics at the City College of San Francisco. He has taught as a guest teacher at various middle schools and high schools, the University of California at both the Berkeley and Santa Cruz campuses, and the University of Hawaii at both the Manoa and Hilo campuses. He also taught for 20 years at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, which honored him with its Outstanding Educator Award in 2000. He is the author of Conceptual Physics and a co-author of Conceptual Physical Science and Conceptual Physical Science Explorations (with John and Leslie).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 816 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; 11 edition (November 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321568095
• ISBN-13: 978-0321568090
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good text book., February 5, 2010

By 

Melissa L. Stone "missiworld" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Conceptual Physics (11th Edition) (Hardcover)

As a university student who is in no way interested in physics, this was a pretty good text book. As the title says, it's conceptual, so it digs deep enough to be interesting and educational, but it leaves out the more complicated maths that are usually associated with physics. The chapters are easy to read and less dry than your average text. All in all, great text for a conceptual physics class, especially for young university students.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent understanding of Physics., February 6, 2011

By 

A- One-Day Reversal (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conceptual Physics (11th Edition) (Hardcover)

Paul Hewitt is a great instructor in Physics.
I took his class in the mid-70's in San Francisco which was very enjoyable and he also published his own book at that time. Each book he publishes is well worth reading.

I would highly recommend if you don't know anything about Physics this is the book you want.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Physics book not focused on math aspect of Physics, October 30, 2010

By 

ksenbout "ksenbout" (Seattle,WA. USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Conceptual Physics (11th Edition) (Hardcover)

This book has lots of cartoons and great everyday examples of how physics applies to our lives. This is my first physics book to study with and I've enjoyed it so far. Hewitt doesn't seem to focus too much on the mathematics of physicis in this text. However, he does an exceptional job at explaining how the mathematic formulas are created and the concepts behind the formula's existence. If you want a textbook that's great at explaining ideas of physics to help you better understand why certain formulas in physicis, exist, this could be a great supplemental textbook for you or your students.