The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol. 3 [Paperback]

Richard P. Feynman (Author), Robert B. Leighton (Author), Matthew Sands (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 1971 | ISBN-10: 0201021188 | ISBN-13: 978-0201021189

For more than thirty years, Richard P. Feynman’s three-volume Lectures on Physics has been known worldwide as the classic resource for students and professionals alike. Ranging from the most basic principles of Newtonian physics through such formidable theories as Einstein’s general relativity, superconductivity, and quantum mechanics, Feynman’s lectures stand as a monument of clear exposition and deep insight. Responding to the tremendous clamor for the original audio tapes from which the Lectures on Physics were transcribed, Persues Books is releasing Feynman’s original recordings, remastered for modern audio equipment and re-organized for cohesiveness and convenience. Timeless, and collectible, these tapes will serve as a comprehensive library of essential physics by a legend in science.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard P. Feynman was raised in Far Rockaway, New York, and received his Ph.D. from Princeton. He held professorships at both Cornell and the California Institute of Technology. In 1965 he received the Nobel Prize for his work on quantum electrodynamics. He died in 1988.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 379 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley (January 11, 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201021188
• ISBN-13: 978-0201021189
• Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 8.5 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

103 of 105 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars These lectures were meant for physics students January 1, 2011

By E. A. Lovitt HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

This 3-volume, 1963 - 1965 edition of Nobel-prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman's lectures to Caltech freshmen and sophomores has been part of my library ever since I was introduced to them as textbooks in my undergraduate physics classes. Volume I concentrates on mechanics, radiation, and heat; Volume II on electromagnetism and matter; and Volume III on quantum mechanics.

Volume I: the first three chapters ("Atoms in Motion," "Basic Physics," and "The Relation of Physics to Other Sciences") were meant by Feynman to outline the relationship of physics to other sciences, and other sciences to each other, and to discuss the overall meaning of `Science.' Here in the introduction to Volume I, Feynman iterates one of his most-quoted ideas on science: "If, in some cataclysm, all of scientific knowledge were to be destroyed, and only one sentence passed on to the next generation of creatures, what statement would contain the most information in the fewest words? I believe it is the atomic hypothesis...that `all things are made of atoms--little particles that move around in perpetual motion, attracting each other when they are a little distance apart, but repelling upon being squeezed into one another.'"

There are 52 chapters in Volume I, from "Atoms in Motion" to "Symmetry in Physical Laws." It would be well to remember that this book and its fellows are not meant to be read in isolation. Rather the lectures were connected with a series of experiments and demonstrations. As Feynman puts it: "The principle of science, the definition, almost, is the following: `The test of all knowledge is experiment.'"

Volume II: the first two-thirds of this series of lectures is devoted to a reasonably inclusive treatment of the physics of electricity and magnetism.... This volume's `Foreward' by Matthew Sands states: "We hoped, first, to give the students a complete view of one of the great chapters of physics--from the early gropings of Franklin, through the great synthesis of Maxwell, on to the Lorentz electron theory of material properties, and ending with the still unsolved dilemmas of the electromagnetic self-energy."

There are 42 chapters in Volume II, with the last four chapters devoted to elasticity and fluid flow.

Volume III: Richard P. Feynman won a Nobel Prize for his contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics, and this series of lectures was the first real attempt to ground physics students in the theory of quantum mechanics. By its nature, quantum mechanics is a mathematical theory, so these lectures are absolutely chock-full of calculus and physics equations. But, as Feynman himself once said, "Do not take the lecture [on quantum mechanics] too seriously...just relax and enjoy it. I am going to tell you what nature behaves like. If you will simply admit that maybe she does behave like this, you will find her a delightful, entrancing thing. Do not keep saying to yourself `But how can it be like that?' because you will get...into a blind alley from which nobody has yet escaped. Nobody knows how it can be like that."

There are 21 chapters in Volume III, from "Quantum Behavior" to "The Schrödinger Equation in a Classical Context: A Seminar on Superconductivity."

If the math in Volume III really depresses you, there now exist many good popular-science books on quantum mechanics, such as "In Search of Schrödinger's Cat: Quantum Physics and Reality" by John Gribbin, "The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?" by Leon Lederman, or Bruce Schumm's book on elementary particle physics, "Deep Down Things: The Breathtaking Beauty of Particle Physics."

These lectures by Richard P. Feynman were meant for physics students, as opposed to the general public. Those readers who have no background in physics, calculus, statistics and probability might find these books tough going. However, any of us might struggle through certain sections with no loss of self-worth, if we remember that one of America's most brilliant scientists gave two years of his knowledge and intellectual energy in order to present us with a solid understanding of his physicist's universe. Feynman says in his epilogue to these lectures: "Finally, may I add that the main purpose of my teaching has not been to prepare you for some examination...I wanted most to give you some appreciation of the wonderful world and the physicist's way of looking at it, which, I believe, is a major part of the true culture of modern times." Read more ›

100 of 103 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just a note February 10, 2011

By Akkarin

Format:Hardcover

Just a quick note on the Millennium edition of the Feynman lectures box set: It does not contain Tips on physics, however, they are working on a revised edition of Tips on physics with over 900 extra pages that should be done by the end of 2011. It is likely to be released both separately and in a box set with the millennium edition books.

116 of 130 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as previous print. March 19, 2011

By M. Lu

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This version is printed on glossy paper, so it is not easy to eyes, the print also is lighter compared with my friend's older version. So if you want to read it instead of just collecting it, you perhaps should buy version from 2005 or 1971.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The conversion to electronic format is impressive. November 3, 2012

By Steven T. Hatton

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have spent more time with the Feynman Lectures on Physics than with any other book or set of volumes on any subject. I am most familiar with the first volume, only because I haven't found the time to spend on the other two.

Though there are more exact and rigorous formal treatments of virtual every topic Feynman treats, these are found in more advance texts, and/or scattered through many different books, no other single collection of physics books, that I know of, presents so much material in such a compelling and accessible form at the "introductory" level.

I recently purchased the New Millennium Edition, boxed set. The manufacturing quality is, in general, high. The books are solidly and attractively bound. I agree with another reviewer who found the font to be a bit on the light side; and combined with the glossiness of the pages, it is a bit of strain on my aging eyes. (Reading glasses help.) Nonetheless, the electronically formatted text, especially when it comes to the mathematical expressions is truly beautiful. All of the figures have also been converted to electronic format which makes them more crisp and clear. The conversion was a huge undertaking, executed deftly. I am genuinely impressed and grateful to the people who accomplished it.

Feynman was great at what he did, loved what he was doing and had fun doing it. That exuberance shines through in these volumes. The new format adds considerably to these invaluable volumes.

Good job, Mike, et al.!

Thanks!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Science book I've ever read. March 18, 2011

By E. G. E. Bs

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Feynman's books are as close as one can get to sitting in class with a scientific genius. These books are worth every penny. Furthermore, I find them challenging but not difficult to read, and I am not a physicist.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars got a hug December 15, 2012

By zoezoo

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought these books for my son as a present for good grades- he asked for them. They seemed expensive to me but how many kids want physics books? These are nice solid books and I expect he'll have them for the rest of his life. They have a feel and a heft that seems to convey the essence of the subject. He's happy and all I can say for myself is the day these books arrived he opened the box took them out and looked at them, then he walked over and without a word gave me a hug. Yes, I love this purchase.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnum Opus of Feynman January 3, 2012

By Maverick

Format:Hardcover

Freshman lectures by one of the great physicist of all times. Feynman's teaching style is just incredible. He gives new perspectives to classical ideas in physics. This book is for anyone who has interests in science or who loves nature and wants to learn more about it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars There is a reason it is so expensive November 7, 2011

By Daniel A. Harter

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Of all the physics textbooks currently available on the market, this one seems to be the best at explaining phenomena and challenging the reader to think creatively about the material. The only gripe I can possibly give about this series is that there is a distinct lack of problem sets, which can lead to more artistic studying rather than actually putting the legwork into understanding physics. This can be solved by purchasing one of the many books out there that are almost entirely problems, and using them to help you keep up with Feynman's lectures.