Handbook of Physics [Hardcover]

Walter Benenson (Editor), John W. Harris (Editor), Horst Stöcker (Editor), Holger Lutz (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0387952691 | ISBN-13: 978-0387952697 | Publication Date: March 21, 2002 | Edition: 1st ed. 2002. Corr. 2nd printing

Handbook of Physics is a veritable toolbox for rapid access to a wealth of physics information for everyday use in problem solving, homework, and examinations. This complete reference includes not only the fundamental formulas of physics but also experimental methods used in practice.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: CHOICE (OUTSTANDING TITLE) "Benenson (Michigan State Univ., East Lansing) and colleagues have prepared an invaluable compendium of relationships and indexes from every area of physics. Worth its price, it provides students and researchers a ready access to laws and equations that govern physical behavior and current material facts. The topics covered range from classical mechanics to elementary particles. The handbook provides, as one example from mechanics, the latest understanding of the concept of rolling friction. The reference work is enhanced through additional features in each section that include sample examples, applications of the physics described, problem-solving hints, and measurement techniques pertaining to the specific phenomena in the section. The book's layout allows easy accessibility to every topic. It includes a very useful appendix on error analysis, excellent line diagrams, and a comprehensive index." "The Handbook of Physics edited by W. Benenson, J. W. Harris, H. Stocker and H. Lutz is fantastically good value for money … . This is a massive aide-mémoire for basic physics … ." (Ultramicroscopy, Vol. 99, 2004) "This veritable toolbox for everyday use in problem solving, homework, examinations, and practical applications of physics provides quick and easy access to a wealth of information including not only the fundamental formulas of physics but also a wide variety of experimental methods used in practice." (Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics, Vol. 84 (1-2), 2003) "This Handbook of Physics is a complete desktop reference for scientists, engineers and students. … Compiled by professional scientists, engineers and lecturers who are experts in the day-to-day use of physics, the Handbook covers topics from classical mechanics to elementary particles, electric circuits to error analysis." (Revista Espanola de Fisica, Vol. 17 (1), 2003) "The editors have amassed a veritable treasure trove of tables, formulae, relationships and concepts from Mechanics, right across the Physics spectrum to Quantum Physics, that are clearly presented along with examples … . As a teaching academic, I believe that this is a resource well worth having at hand. … Here is a useful addition to the bookshelf in the office … . A copy in the reference section would be a worthwhile library investment." (John Holdsworth, The Physicist, Vol. 39 (6), 2002)

About the Author

Walter Benenson is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University, and a nuclear physicist at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. Benenson was the one of the first physicists to join NSCL founding Director Henry Blosser’s staff in 1963, and was science consultant on the 1991 program Exploring the Hidden Nucleus. His research on rare isotopes forms the basis for Michigan State’s worldwide reputation in the field.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1248 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1st ed. 2002. Corr. 2nd printing edition (March 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387952691
• ISBN-13: 978-0387952697
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 2.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #460,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best concise Physics book ever?, August 7, 2002

By 

Gavin Scott (Sunnyvale, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Handbook of Physics (Hardcover)

This is just a great book. In just under 1200 pages the authors manage to describe pretty much all of undergraduate level Physics in clear understandable language, with lots of illustrations and many practical examples and suggestions. For any student of physics (or simply someone interested in the topic) I think this is the most clear and concise book I've seen. A great reference book to keep close at hand, as it includes a fair amount of practical reference material as well.

The mathematical content is unusually well presented with all symbols defined as to units and quantity in a box with each equation, and the SI dimensionality of the result is indicated in each case as well.

The index is excellent.

I think if I could only own one book on Physics that this one might be it.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, June 19, 2003

By 

Antonio Vicente La Camera - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handbook of Physics (Hardcover)

Having decided to take some classes in electrical engineering, I had been looking for a book that I could use to refresh my knowledge of college physics. I first acquired Halliday's Fundamentals of Physics - a very good book indeed - however, as heavy as any stardand textbook produced in the US. I ended up acquiring Handbook of Physics out of pure curiosity, and to my surprise, it happens to be one of the best science books I have seen in years.

The authors are very successful in compiling every single piece of information on undergraduate physics. The concepts in the book are advanced enough so as not to make you feel as if you were reading some "Physics for Dummies" type of book. That's a perfect combination for people who are looking for practical applications of physical concepts (like engineers) but who already have a quite good grasp on those concepts. The authors also include a little bit of theory not usually found on traditional physics textbooks, such as mechanics of materials.

All in all, it's one of those books you would want to keep forever around. The book has 1000+ pages but interestingly it is not thick or heavy. It easily fits your backpack so that you can read it whenever you read an article about the latest NASA technology on the newspaper.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have, January 8, 2005

By 

Seng Shi Deng (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Handbook of Physics (Hardcover)

This book is a godsend, especially if you are studying for the Physics GRE. It is concise, with many diagrams, covering all major topics in undergraduate Physics. As another reviewer has said, if you are only limited to one book in Physics, this is the one to have.