Conceptual Physics (9th edition) [Hardcover]

Paul G. Hewitt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321052021 | ISBN-13: 978-0321052025 | Publication Date: July 2, 2001 | Edition: 9th

Thirty years ago, this best-selling book defined the "conceptual" approach to introductory physics. Today, the Ninth Edition shows how text and media can be integrated to bring physics to life for non-scientists.

Hewitt's book engages readers with analogies and imagery from real-world situations to 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 motivated to explore the thought-provoking exercises and fun projects in each chapter. Icons in this new edition direct readers to The Physics Place web site (www.physicsplace.com) where they will find interactive and animated tutorials, video demonstrations, and hundreds of problems and activities. This new text-media combination gives readers more of what they need -whether it's animated explanations or interactive exercises -to make the connections between the concepts of physics and their everyday world. For college instructors and students.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Thirty years ago, this best-selling book defined the "conceptual" approach to introductory physics. Today, the Ninth Edition shows how text and media can be integrated to bring physics to life for non-scientists. <P> Hewitt's book engages readers with analogies and imagery from real-world situations to 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 motivated to explore the thought-provoking exercises and fun projects in each chapter. Icons in this new edition direct readers to The Physics Place web site (physicsplace) where they will find interactive and animated tutorials, video demonstrations, and hundreds of problems and activities. This new text-media combination gives readers more of what they need -whether it's animated explanations or interactive exercises -to make the connections between the concepts of physics and their everyday world. For college instructors and students.

About the Author

Paul G. Hewitt was a Silver Medalist flyweight Boxing Champion for New England States at the age of 17. He was then a cartoonist, sign painter, and uranium prospector before beginning his physics studies.

Conceptual Physics was first published in 1971, while Hewitt was teaching at City College of San Francisco. He has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California at Santa Cruz, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and most recently at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Currently, Hewitt enjoys teaching at the City College of San Francisco and at San Francisco's science museum, The Exploratorium.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 790 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; 9th edition (July 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321052021
• ISBN-13: 978-0321052025
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to teach yourself physics?, June 29, 2004

By 

Jonathan Appleseed - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Conceptual Physics (9th edition) (Hardcover)

I would imagine that the answer to my subject heading is, for most people, NO! But for me it was YES!, as I'd never had a physics class, and it was essential, for research that I am conducting, that I have slightly more than an elementary grasp of physics. I turned to this book, and am glad that I did.

This book, thankfully, is written in conceptual terms. There are few equations - because equations are necessary in science - but you don't need to know calculus or trigonometry to read this book and walk away with a solid foundation.

The author has a clear and easy tone about his writing, and breaks complex concepts down into their simple building blocks so that a typical layperson can understand. I know - because I'm as typical a layperson as they come regarding the sciences.

I can't recommend this highly enough.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fiziks, December 8, 2003

By 

Kent (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conceptual Physics (9th edition) (Hardcover)

We all know that Physics is a tough sport. But Paul Hewitt does a marvelous job describing complex issues in fairly easy to comprehend terms (not touching at all on calculations). This book also covers a wide spectrum of information about the world, from the intricate properties of electrons to color to Newton's laws of motion. I keep waiting for the price of this book to go down so I can buy it again to keep as a reference (I had used it with a college course previous). Worth having if you're one of those who loves reading about how things work.

The accompanying workbook is nice, but only if you're going to be quizzed on this sort of stuff. Other than that, it isn't that great a deal.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Started me on the path!, May 26, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Conceptual Physics (9th edition) (Hardcover)

The fourth edition of this text is what started me on the path to a masters degree in physics (achieved ten years ago). Now I am preparing to teach basic physics to remedial-level adult students and non-science majors and so am buying an updated copy of the book.

This is a GREAT way to learn concepts for those who don't have the math skills for a standard course (as I didn't when I started all those years ago). I found it a great jumping off point, and I still return to my old text when I find I've forgotten my basics! I can't wait to read the new edition!