Princeton Problems in Physics with Solutions [Paperback]

Nathan Newbury (Author), John Ruhl (Author), Suzanne Staggs (Author), Stephen Thorsett (Author), Michael Newman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0691024499 | ISBN-13: 978-0691024493 | Publication Date: February 1, 1991

Aimed at helping the physics student to develop a solid grasp of basic graduate-level material, this book presents worked solutions to a wide range of informative problems. These problems have been culled from the preliminary and general examinations created by the physics department at Princeton University for its graduate program. The authors, all students who have successfully completed the examinations, selected these problems on the basis of usefulness, interest, and originality, and have provided highly detailed solutions to each one. Their book will be a valuable resource not only to other students but to college physics teachers as well. The first four chapters pose problems in the areas of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, thereby serving as a review of material typically covered in undergraduate courses. Later chapters deal with material new to most first-year graduate students, challenging them on such topics as condensed matter, relativity and astrophysics, nuclear physics, elementary particles, and atomic and general physics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A glance at the problems shows that they have been carefully selected to cover a wide range of different topics. . . . What is most surprising about these problems is the incredible range and depth of subject matter. -- American Journal of Physics

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (February 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691024499
• ISBN-13: 978-0691024493
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A standard, March 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Princeton Problems in Physics with Solutions (Paperback)

This book is a must for anyone preparting for their Physics Candidacy exam. The advanced graduate students traditionally pass this book down to the incoming graduate students. Nice challenging probelms with clear solutions. Good luck studying for the exams!

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic, September 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Princeton Problems in Physics with Solutions (Paperback)

Thousands of physics graduate students can't be wrong. The problems in this book may be very challenging, but they include fully worked solutions. The topics cover a very broad range of physics, though the emphasis is on selection of interesting questions rather than comprehensive coverage.

12 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How Ironic, when precision is needed most, it fails, December 8, 2007

By 

P. Plummer (Dominican Republic) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Princeton Problems in Physics with Solutions (Paperback)

While I am fascinated with this book, and believe that it is well worth the money it costs, I am very disappointed with the editing.

Just reviewing the "Problem 1.3," being the 3rd problem in this book, in the solution which begins on page 79 and continues to page 80, there is an error where it states:

"One way to remember this is to recall that the meter was first defined as one ten-thousandth the distance from the North Pole to the equator."

Unfortunately it is quite obvious that the distance from the North Pole to the equator could not possible be 10,000 meters, or 100 football fields.

Why can't the simplest of historical reference to distance be correctly listed?

In a field where measurements are so vital, how can such a basic bit of information escape the editor?

How should I proceed from here?

What other information in this book might possible be egregious and ultimately misinform me?