Physics: Principles with Applications [Hardcover]

Douglas C. Giancoli (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130606200 | ISBN-13: 978-0130606204 | Publication Date: August 19, 2004 | Edition: 6th

For algebra-based introductory physics courses taken primarily by pre-med, agricultural, technology, and architectural students. This best-selling algebra-based physics text is known for its elegant writing, engaging biological applications, and exactness. Physics: Principles with Applications, 6e retains the careful exposition and precision of previous editions with many interesting new applications and carefully crafted new pedagogy. It was written to give students the basic concepts of physics in a manner that is accessible and clear. The goal is for students to view the world through eyes that know physics.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1040 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 6th edition (August 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130606200
• ISBN-13: 978-0130606204
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,101 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Science & Math > Technology
  • #24 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and nice physics book for intro students, November 17, 2005

By 

M. C. Kim "Biblomania" (Davis, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Physics: Principles with Applications (Hardcover)

I know physics is hard for all of us, but this book is very clear in explaining physics. It does not involve in calculus, so usually it is better for most students who never took physics. So if you did not take physics class before, I highly recommend this book because it does not use pompous or intricate words that most science textbook writers do. Not only is it an easy reading, but also it has awesome questions and problems that make you think and that check whether you know really physics.

Most my friends who were in engineering or math majors had easy physics teachers in high school. Some of them did not even take physics at all. Surprisingly, they dived into calculus based physics book and they found the subject to be incredibly hard. I understand their pain because I think this book can be a bridge that can connect high school physics(so easy ones) and calculus based physics.

I also read Serway's College Physics, and in my opinion, I think Giancoli wrote better job in explaining physics with more clear diagrams. The sentences that he uses grabs my attention. Serway confused me and I was stuck a lot from his book. Problems in examples are so much better in Giancoli as well and diagrams were better as well.

So before you read calculus based physics, read this one thoroughly and you will be able to breathe in higher physics class.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too much text., December 6, 2009

By 

Larry Battle - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Physics: Principles with Applications (Hardcover)

Overall, this is a decent textbook. The authors cover everything that's needed to know for any general Physics course.
However, a major flaw and advantage is the amount of information compressed within 1000 pages. Providing dozens of explanations and examples in each chapter does help students to better relate to the meaning behind the formulas. But by doing this constantly, the book must be slowly read with a strong attention span.
The problem with this book is focus. There is too much design, text, and colors going on at any given page.
I recommend reading "Cracking the AP Physics" or "Basic Physics" before diving into this book. Mainly because those two books offer simple and clear design, text and color; reducing the stress that comes from learning Physics.

So, what is Torque?

"The angular acceleration, then, is proportional to the product of the force times the lever arm. This product is called the moment of the force about the axis, or more commonly, it is called the torque, and is represented by (Greek tau)..."
- Torque (page 204 - Physics 6th - Giancoli ):

"Intuitively, torque describes the effectiveness of a force in producing rotational acceleration."
- Torque (page 97 - Cracking the AP Physics B & C Exams 06-07 edition):

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some People LikeThis Book - I Find It Lacking, March 17, 2009

By 

Robert Avakian (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Physics: Principles with Applications (Hardcover)

Having taught from the first volume of Giancoli at the two-year college level, I suggest that the emphasis is on the algebra and not on understanding the Physics. Understanding comes through solving the problems; the problems are not being solved as a result of understanding. The notation is unnecessarily complex and the language is overly formal. This screens the physics involved. A course with Giancoli becomes an exercise in algebra,(I call this equation slinging), and not a course in Physics.

If you want a real understanding of the physics, get Hewitt's Conceptual Physics. It is far more intellectually challenging than G., and gives the reader a real understanding of the laws and principles of physics. If you then want a mathematical treatment, that old standby Halliday and Resnick (or Resnick and Halliday depending upon the edition)is still hard to beat. A used Hewitt and H & R are more than adequate and far less expensive than Giancoli.