Introductory Physics with Calculus (as a Second Language ) Mastering Problem-Solving [Paperback]

Thomas E. Barrett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471739103 | ISBN-13: 978-0471739104 | Publication Date: October 14, 2005 | Edition: 1

Get a better grade in Physics


Solving physics problems can be challenging at times. But with hard work and the right study tools, you can learn the language of physics and get the grade you want. With Tom Barrett's University Physics as a Second Language(TM): Mastering Problem Solving, you'll be able to better understand fundamental physics concepts, solve a variety of problems, and focus on what you need to know to succeed.


Here's how you can get a better grade in physics:

Understand the basic concepts
University Physics as a Second Language(TM) focuses on selected topics in calculus-based physics to give you a solid foundation. Tom Barrett explains these topics in clear, easy-to-understand language.

Break problems down into simple steps
University Physics as a Second Language(TM) teaches you to approach problems more efficiently and effectively. You'll learn how to recognize common patterns in physics problems, break problems down into manageable steps, and apply appropriate techniques.
The book takes you step-by-step through the solutions to numerous examples.

Improve your problem-solving skills
University Physics as a Second Language(TM) will help you develop the skills you need to solve a variety of problem types. You'll learn timesaving problem-solving strategies that will help you focus your efforts, as well as how to avoid potential pitfalls.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get a better grade in Physics

Solving physics problems can be challenging at times. But with hard work and the right study tools, you can learn the language of physics and get the grade you want. With Tom Barrett’s University Physics as a Second Language™: Mastering Problem Solving, you’ll be able to better understand fundamental physics concepts, solve a variety of problems, and focus on what you need to know to succeed.

Here’s how you can get a better grade in physics:

Understand the basic concepts
University Physics as a Second Language™ focuses on selected topics in calculus-based physics to give you a solid foundation. Tom Barrett explains these topics in clear, easy-to-understand language.

Break problems down into simple steps
University Physics as a Second Language™ teaches you to approach problems more efficiently and effectively. You’ll learn how to recognize common patterns in physics problems, break problems down into manageable steps, and apply appropriate techniques.
The book takes you step-by-step through the solutions to numerous examples.

Improve your problem-solving skills
University Physics as a Second Language™ will help you develop the skills you need to solve a variety of problem types. You’ll learn timesaving problem-solving strategies that will help you focus your efforts, as well as how to avoid potential pitfalls.

About the Author

Tom Barrett is a lecturer at Ohio State University where he teaches calculus-based introductory physics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471739103
• ISBN-13: 978-0471739104
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #344,312 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, pretty good actually but not comprehensive, November 16, 2007

By 

tl32 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introductory Physics with Calculus (as a Second Language ) Mastering Problem-Solving (Paperback)

Although I suspect the 5 star review is by someone with the company, this book is actually pretty good. Each chapter covers some of the more common problems you will come across along with some very good diagrams. The visual component of this book is one of its strengths. It is by no means a comprehensive book and I'm sure there are more challenging problems out there. Overall it does a nice job of focusing on what you need to know. That being said I think it was a little over priced. The book is pretty small and it doesn't cover topics like fluids or harmonic motion. If it was 15-20 I would give it 5 stars.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent supplementary material for physics courses, January 29, 2011

By 

A.Reader1 (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introductory Physics with Calculus (as a Second Language ) Mastering Problem-Solving (Paperback)

This is a book for 1st year university students demonstrating the key points of physics problem solving. It covers just basic mechanics and electricity & magnetism. It says calculus on the cover but this is mostly confined to the later E&M chapters. As such, it could be used in high school, too. The example problems are more complex than what's encountered in high school but it's still useful.

This book is much better than the similarly entitled "Introductory Physics with Algebra as a Second Language: Mastering Problem-Solving" by Stuart E. Loucks, also published by Wiley. Instead of telling people how to think about problems like Loucks does, Barrett has example after example showing you how to solve them along with appropriate commentary. This is the best way to learn - repetition, repetition, repetition.

In a few of the problems I find Barrett makes the solutions a bit more elaborate than they need to be but that's a minor quibble.

It's supplementary material and I find the price a bit high @ $28 for such a thin book (< 300 pages). Same goes for Loucks' book. Find either book used or borrow at your local library.

Barrett has also done Fundamentals of Physics, Student Study Guide (ISBN 0471779563) which accompanies the 8th edition of Halliday/Resnick.

competitor books, calculus based: How to Solve Physics Problems by Robert Oman & Daniel Oman; Schaum's Outline of Physics for Engineering and Science by Michael Browne; Understanding Physics by Michael Mansfield & Colm O'Sullivan (textbook)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeping life Simple, September 28, 2008

By 

Brandon M. Alexander "chemistrykid06" (Alliance, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introductory Physics with Calculus (as a Second Language ) Mastering Problem-Solving (Paperback)

I've had a tough time trying to make use out of the heavy textbooks and workbook problems that never seemed to help. The amazing thing with this book is that it keeps it on a simple level and breaks every concept down. It teaches you to recognize certain problems instead of trying to pull your hair out with an ugly set of data. I know there are others out there trying to solve the physics crisis but this is the tool for the job. Sure I will use the heavy text for reference but when it comes to solving actual problems this book is the one. It has equations that are not as complicated as the textbook ones and tells you which ones to use where and in what case. From the early kinematics to mixed circuits this book does it all. I would have to say that it is worth it's weight in gold, to be honest.