Customer Reviews

University Physics (Addison-Wesley Series in Physics)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've used both this book and Halliday's Extended 6th edition for my course on Physics. My conclusion, chapter after chapter, has been clear to me: this is the perfect book for a general course on Physics at university level. The language is simple to understand (Halliday too), the figures and tables are well done and useful (Halliday too), the content is thorough (Halliday: not so much !). Yes, this last is the striking thing: it's thorough and reaches a level of detail that is not a common feature for these kind of Physics books.
The problems set is well balanced both in content and number (an average of 85-90 for each chapter), and as usual odd-numbered problems' solutions are provided.
I've tried this book without anybody advising it to me, now I'm happy I've had it for the exam.

I used this textbook for my first college level physics course. The electricity and magnetism section are simply the best. Later on, I found myself referring back to it when I took an undergrad electromagnetism course. Now, even as a graduate student--when I find myself drowning in an ocean of details, this textbook has helped me navigate with purpose and understanding. Simply put, this book is a true academic investment.

If I had to sum up this textbook in three words, it would be "easy to understand". The writing style is pretty informal when compared to most textbooks, but yet, this informality does NOT compromise on the depth of the explanations.

It is one of the main physics textbooks used for intro classes across the US, and though I've never read any other intro physics books besides this one, I'm not surprised to see on many university's intro physics courses web pages that THIS is the book that is used.

Unlike most textbooks that I've had to read, I can't really think of any complaints with this one. This doesn't mean that this book is perfect, but looking back, I really can't think of any major (or minor for that matter) problems I had with the book. I relied on this book instead of lectures to learn the material, so it isn't that I had a great physics teacher that helped me explain the material.

the text is decent at best. while it provides a comprehensive overview of 1st-year physics, other texts (notably Serway's Physics for Scientists and Engineers) do a better job. The text is confusing at times; particularly troublesome are the authors long-winded explanations of the obvious, and a dearth of explanation of the conceptually difficult.

the diagrams are excellent, however, and overall the text is decent.

I have used this text for teaching calc-based first year physics to engineering and science students. If I were to follow the outline of the text in my lecture, I would not have enough time to cover all of it in 2 semesters. To extend the use of this text into a third or fourth semester of physics would waste the students' time, since it is not as detailed as it should be for a second year physics student. The thermodynamics and modern physics sections are a good introductions, but are not nearly enough for semster long courses.

Our department is considering shifting to a physics text that still introduces all fields of physics, but can be consumed by the student in two semesters. There are some authors that are shifting in this direction. It requires a paradigm shift in physics pedagogy that many established physics professors (many of whom use Sears and Zemansky) seem reluctant to make (as reflected in other reviews). Imagine a general physics text that does not look like it was written using other general physics texts.

This book is very well organized. I especially appreciated the "problem-solving strategy" snippets, which were very helpful. All the diagrams are very clear. The problems are written well; i.e., the reader can understand what the problem is asking. Lastly, there is so much physics in this book! There is enough physics for two full years.

I used this text as an undergraduate, and had the good fortune to be taught by the author Hugh Young.

The material is well-written, encyclopedic, and well organized. The problem sets are thorough, challenging, and instructive.

This is THE physics book to buy if one is starting to study the field.

Excellent!! I'm studying in Form 7 and going to take my Advanced Level Examinations this year. No other reference book avaliable in Hong Kong better than University Physics. The content are very well organized and the examples are extremely useful. I'm sure that you won't be disappointed after you buy this book.

This is a decent textbook in spite of some rather tough material. Good illustrations and clear presentations of concepts. Reasonably easy to read and gives you a shot at learning and passing the course.

If you are, then this book will be a great choice to make some undergraduate refreshments in a verity of subjects like, Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Thermodynamics, Optics and more. Personally, it was my textbook at College. Its detail explainations make it a reference that you would like to keep with you for life.