Conceptual Physics (8th Edition) [Hardcover]

Paul G. Hewitt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1998 | ISBN-10: 0321009711 | ISBN-13: 978-0321009715 | Edition: 8

Written for students of introductory physics, this best-selling text offers students an upbeat, non-threatening overview of the discipline which focuses on concepts and critical thinking rather than number-crunching. It presents physics in a language students can comprehend, using analogies and mental imagery based on real world situations. Mathematical equations, formulas, and calculations appear as a footnote on the page to reference and supplement chapter concepts and help students see the connection between math and science.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 681 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; 8 edition (1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321009711
• ISBN-13: 978-0321009715
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A physics teacher's review., August 15, 2000

By 

Amazondotcodotuk (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conceptual Physics (8th Edition) (Hardcover)

I am a high school physics teacher. While I was taking my teaching physics courses in my undergraduate education (in 1996), Hewitt's approach in teaching physics and his book "Conceptual Physics" was one of the topics that we have discussed in the class. It is also discussed in a well-known textbook of Chiappetta and et. al. "Science Instruction in the Middle and Secondary Schools". His approach and the book can be considered a breakthrough in physics education.

The major critique on the book focuses on little or no math used in it. But, it is a natural aspect of "conceptual physics". The main aim of that approach is to facilitate the understanding of concepts of physics which will surely create a robust framework for problem solving in physics and, for advanced physics. Many researches have shown that lack of conceptual base for science is the major responsible for the difficulties in deeper understanding, and/or for the obstacles in the road of problem solving.

Do not consider the book as an algebra based or calculus based physics textbook. As it's name says, it is "conceptual". No one can ignore(and actually Hewitt himself does not 'ignore') the beauty of math in physics, actually in any science. Dealing with physics by using the math as the language requires two aspects: 1)a well-structured conceptual understanding of physics, 2)mastery in math. The "Conceptual Physics" is for the first aspect. And it does function very well!

64 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written, October 25, 2002

By 

MDtoMD "book addict" (Warren, Michigan, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Conceptual Physics (8th Edition) (Hardcover)

I took freshman physics in college. I picked up this book as a bit of a review. It is well worth reading. It is pitched at a level that a 12 year old could understand, but contains physics that would educate and entertain adults. I recommend getting the accompanying work book as well. There are concept questions and math questions. The math questions at the end of the chapters require knowledge of arithmetic ( not heavy algebra or calculus ).

I recommend this book for those that just like to read educational material for fun.... this is a light enough read to allow that. I also recommend this book for science students that want to get the concepts of physics down, before they get bogged down in the math. It makes your higher level physics book much easier to read.

If you dont get this book, you are really missin out on a good thing.

Katherine
PS yes real girls do read physics

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every physics student should read this., September 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Conceptual Physics (8th Edition) (Hardcover)

As a new teacher returning to physics for the first time since engineering school ten years ago, I found this book to be a wonderful resource. The analogies that Hewitt uses are extremely helpful in explaining concepts to students.

The book was the district chosen book in a lower level physics class that I no longer teach, but I still use it in my honors class as required reading to insure that students understand the concepts before we get to the math.