What is Physics book: Definition and 183 Discussions

Physics (from Ancient Greek: φυσική (ἐπιστήμη), romanized: physikḗ (epistḗmē), lit. 'knowledge of nature', from φύσις phýsis 'nature') is the natural science that studies matter, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, and its main goal is to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines and, through its inclusion of astronomy, perhaps the oldest. Over much of the past two millennia, physics, chemistry, biology, and certain branches of mathematics were a part of natural philosophy, but during the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century these natural sciences emerged as unique research endeavors in their own right. Physics intersects with many interdisciplinary areas of research, such as biophysics and quantum chemistry, and the boundaries of physics are not rigidly defined. New ideas in physics often explain the fundamental mechanisms studied by other sciences and suggest new avenues of research in academic disciplines such as mathematics and philosophy.
Advances in physics often enable advances in new technologies. For example, advances in the understanding of electromagnetism, solid-state physics, and nuclear physics led directly to the development of new products that have dramatically transformed modern-day society, such as television, computers, domestic appliances, and nuclear weapons; advances in thermodynamics led to the development of industrialization; and advances in mechanics inspired the development of calculus.

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  1. A

    I am in search of an alternate Physics book.

    I am currently an eleventh grade student attending high school and I must say, I have the worst Physics teacher at my school. It is very very hard to keep up with her and such. I am in look for a book that will help me understand the problems in greater depth. At the moment I am completely lost...
  2. C

    Atomic Physics Book: Good Intro to Understand Physical Concepts

    What is a good intro to atomic physics book that gives a good physical picture of what's going on.
  3. D

    What's a good physics book for beginners that teaches math too?

    The highest degree I have is a high school diploma that I got last year and the most advanced math I've taken is applied geometry and 11th grade physical science for science. I've been interested in physics (and astronomy) for a while now and I've learned a lot of stuff about it from...
  4. I

    A good physics book with pictures to describe.

    Hi all folks. Do any know a good book that describes physics with pictures? I want a standard book, not university, but for the general people. Because now I prepare before I enter the university if I pass the math and physics exam from high school.
  5. I

    Physics Book Problem: Berlin-Paris Train Error

    Homework Statement A train travels 890 km from Berlin to Paris and then overshoots the end of the track by 10m. Homework Equations a.What is the %error in the total distance covered b.Is it correct to write the distance by the train as 890,010m?Explain...
  6. R

    Gen Physics Book for Right-Brained, Visual Learners?

    My screen name says it all, and I am desperate for help - trying to teach myself through this accelerated summer class is clearly not working with the materials & methods I have been using. Any suggestions for a Physics textbook, or supplementary book, alternate tutoring/learning methods for...
  7. C

    Maxwell equation in optics book vs in physics book, why?

    I noticed that in many optics/photonics book, the Gauss law is expressed as: \nabla.E = 0 However, in wikipedia, it is \nabla.E = \frac{\rho}{\epsilon_{0}} I assume that \rho is zero in optics cases but why? I think that is because we assumed there is no electric charges on the way? then what if...
  8. fluidistic

    Boas Mathematical physics book, definition of center of mass

    In Boas' book I can read that the definition of center of mass of a body has coordinates x_{CM}= \int x_{CM}dM= \int x dM. Shouldn't it be this same integral but divided by M?! Also, I didn't find the definition of center of mass for particles or any non continuous bodies. I'd be grateful if...
  9. A

    Which Popular Physics Book Should I Read?

    So I have two popular physics book in my possession at the moment and I don't know which one to start reading. The books are: The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene and The Edge Of Physics bu Anil Ananthaswamy. Also any suggestions on different books with more maths in them? (The concepts I was...
  10. J

    Reading an old physics book and

    The book is "The New Physics and Its Evolution" by Lucien Poincare, who happens to be Henri Poincare's cousin, and I came across a paragraph that explained an experiment that has me baffled. Anyone know to which experiment he was referring? Perhaps something was lost in the translation...
  11. MathWarrior

    Need a Supplemental Physics Book for My University Course?

    I'm going to be taking a course on physics in the fall that requires the use of calculus1 & 2 called university physics 1. I have never taken a general physics course in high school or college yet. So I am thinking I should get a supplemental textbook for my course. Does anyone have any...
  12. S

    Best supplemental physics book?

    So I'm taking physics (calc-based for scientists and engineers) for the first time this summer. I would like a recommendation for a good supplemental book that has good explanations and good practice problems. I remember reading a thread here (that I can no longer find >.<) where someone...
  13. L

    Bridge to mathematical physics book?

    Background Next year I am going to be a final year student - Msci Physics. I am fairly mathematically competent even though I don't "take" any theoretical/math options (my confidence in this area is another question). In first year we had a standard introduction to all the topics we were...
  14. F

    Which is the best Mathematical Physics book

    Prefer me a book that covers entire Mathematics which is required for Physics Note: please consider me a new(3 years no touch of maths due to health issue) and the book you prefer me must have clear understanding of mathematical concepts subjects as follows #Algebra #Trigonometry...
  15. G

    Excellent Physics Book to Enhance Problem Solving Skills?

    I'm a High School Student and I love studying Physics, but my main problem is, I sometimes get careless and sometimes uncritical to the word problems given in our Physics class, though, I get decent grades in Physics, I feel that I'm not yet satisfied with my skills in it, its seems that I still...
  16. M

    Best Non-Calculus General Physics Book

    I am currently taking AP Physics B, and my teacher doesn't really teach the class. I really want to learn in depth physics that doesn't include calculus (even though I am taking AP Calculus AB right now). I have the Fundamentals of Physics 8th edition and University Physics with Modern Science...
  17. V

    Michael Spivak's Physics Book Will Be Here Soon

    His publishing company has a http://www.mathpop.com/mechanics1.htm" isn't telling lies it's slated for publication on December 6th. I'm insanely excited about this. (I'm sure someone else noticed this before I did. Let me know if this is redundant.)
  18. J

    Looking for a good Prob Solving Physics book

    This year I will be taking University Physics. Besides understanding the concepts, I also need to practice solving problems. Although, my textbook (Sears & Zemansky's U Phy) provides some examples with solutions throughout the chapter, I would like more. Does anyone know of a good book with...
  19. R

    Quantum Physics Books: Recommendations India (Wiley, Pearson)

    hello everyone.i need you ppl to recommend a quantum physics or modern physics book for reference.i stay in india. Wiley publication and Pearson Education are two publisher which i knw.u can suggest any other but good ones.
  20. R

    Help me find the ideal physics book for self-study

    So here I am: Before beginning the Irish Leaving Cert last September (equivalent to British A-Levels, etc), I had absolutely no background knowledge in the subject apart from some basic equations and principles from Junior Cert Science (equivalent to British GCSE's, but much less detailed) -...
  21. B

    Discover the Best Solid State Physics Textbooks for Beginners

    Hi I am looking for some good solid state physics textbooks. Can anyone who has taken courses in solid state physics direct me to a good introductory book?
  22. B

    Grade 12 Physics book for practice questions.

    Hello! I have started to take a correspondence grade 12 physics course from www.ilc.org (affiliated with Toronto District School Board). After my first two weeks of working through the course I have covered Kinematics as well as Motion in Two Dimensions- Projectile Motion. My findings so...
  23. I

    What are the best high school physics books for self-study?

    I CANNOT POST IN THE SCIENCE BOOKS AND MATERIALS SUB FORUM FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. Now that that is out of the way, I am in dire need of assistance. I will be taking classical physics I and II this coming school year, and I have very poor physics background. I didn't even take high school...
  24. S

    Nuclear Physics Book: Krane or Most Up to Date?

    The most commonly used book to study Introductory Nuclear physics is by Krane which is quite old. Is it still good? If not then which is the most up to date introductory book on the subject?
  25. P

    Good math methods in physics book?

    Hello. I am looking for a good math methods in physics book. I am currently taking Mathematical methods in physics at my university. The tutorial we use isn't very helpful. Does anyone have any suggestions?
  26. E

    Exploring the History of Physics: From Ancient Times to Modern Discoveries

    I'm looking for a good history of physics book for use as a textbook in a history of physics course. something not as basic as Roger Netwon's From Clockwork To Crapshoot, but something not specific to one event or one era. something that gives a decent account of physics from the early Egyptian...
  27. J

    1.0kg physics book on slope, and Newton's Third Law?

    Homework Statement A 1.0 kg physics book is on a 20 degree slope. It is connected by a string to a 500 g coffee cup dangling at the bottom side of the incline. The book is given a push up the slope and released with a speed of 3.0 m/s. The coefficients of friction are us = .50 and uk = .20...
  28. K

    A good physics book besides Giancoli?

    Hey! I'm a junior in high school who's curious and determined to figure and (and retain the knowledge afterwards) how the world works. I'm enrolled in AP physics (i think it was B) but i don't really like how things are explained in our Giancoli book. By no means is it a bad book but I think he...
  29. H

    I need a new introduction to physics book

    I like my book called physics by Resnick and Halliday 3rd edition but I think that it is too challenging for me . I just started physics not too long ago and I am doing the particle dynamics chapter with Newtons laws and it asks me something about air friction , what the heck is that? well I...
  30. H

    Need advise on a good physics book.

    Hey I was wondering is someone could suggest a good college level physics textbook. I am currently in a calculus based physics class and I'm finding it hard to keep up with the concepts and also do the problems. i have fundamentals of physics by halliday/resnick/walker 8th ed and it seems to me...
  31. S

    Introductory physics book any good?

    Is this free introductory physics book any good? http://www.anselm.edu/internet/physics/cbphysics/index.html. If not do you know any other cheaper introductory physics books that are at a high level (under $70 I'm saving for more advanced books)?
  32. P

    Is Physics and Philosophy by Werner Heisenberg Worth Reading?

    Admit it, the subject is interesting. I have my own "theories" about it, but can you recommend me a book?
  33. S

    All-in-One Physics Book for Classes +1 and +2

    Help me guys... Could anybody please refer me a book in physics for class +1 and +2 that covers all the concepts in detail?? No single book covers all the concepts and I am mad after referring 5 different books and still getting nothing to improve my concepts. Please help me guys... I need an...
  34. T

    Mad About Physics: Examining Braintwister No. 90 - The Three Hole Can

    Does anyone own the Jargodzki and Potter book Mad About Physics? If so, could you examine braintwister no. 90, the three hole can? They seem to claim that, if you have a cylindrical can filled with water and there are three identical holes, one near the top, one near the middle, and one near the...
  35. Q

    A Good Atomic and Nuclear physics book?

    Could anyone tell me a good book on Atomic and Nuclear physics?
  36. G

    Which Textbook is Used for 1st Year Physics at UofT?

    What book is used for next year's 1st year physics at University of Toronto? I have a very old Fundamentals of Physics, I read it but didn't do that much problems. (though I did contest questions) I want to restudy everything, this time doing all the problems. I want to buy the exact textbook...
  37. P

    Looking for a good Mathematical Physics book answers

    Does anyone know of a good advanced undergraduate mathematical physics book with answers for self study? I hear good things about the Mary Boas book, but want more opinions. Thanks!
  38. L

    Good Physics Book for College Freshmen

    Hi everyone, I am a college freshman and am going to take an introductory physics class (calculus-based) next semester. I am horrible at physics and would like to study up the stuff during the summer. Is there any book that would be good at teaching me the stuff? Not a textbook, but a...
  39. S

    Any recommendation for started physics book (to generate interest)

    as a present for a grade 8 junior, something basic yet interesting enough to spark her interest. any suggestions thanks!
  40. D

    Anyone have a good Physics Book?

    I've read a lot of the "popular" physics book, i.e. Brief History of Time, Relativity, Elegant Universe, etc. I want something more, perhaps explaining why things work with math and what not. Maybe not so popular, yet intriguing none the less. Does anyone have any ideas?
  41. I

    Which Physics Book Should I Buy? My Goals and Aspirations

    Hi! It's Christmas, and I got a pretty hefty sum of money from my family. Guess what I plan to do with it?=> Buy physics books of course! I'm so excited, I never really had enough money to buy the classic physics books I wanted, and now, I am left with a very difficult choice. I am a...
  42. R

    Name a good nuclear Physics book

    I have started this subject with Cohen.But he uses so little mathematics throughout the book.i also find it really old-fashioned.I am a beginner and i am looking for a good nuclear physics book.can anyone out here suggest me some?
  43. L

    What's a good beginner's Physics book

    I'm 13 and I'm in the 8th grade. I was wondering if someone could suggest a beginner physics book fer me... Thank you very very much!
  44. A

    Recommend calculus based physics book?

    I'm looking for recommendations for a calculus based physics textbook for my 11th grade daughter to use independently. She is taking AP Physics B at school and would like to self-study for the AP Physics C exam (probably only the mechanics part this year and then electricity and magnetism next...
  45. D

    What is Tension in Physics and How is it Defined in a Physics Book?

    This really isn't a specific problem in my studies but a general one: My physics book defines tension as applying equal magnitude forces, but opposite in direction to the ends of a body. It is clear that this would cause the object to be in equilibrium. It also goes on to say tension is a...
  46. P

    Finding a Physics Book for Beginners with Basic Calculus

    I am trying get started in physics and i want to get a physics book with $only basic calculus$. do anyone suggest anything?
  47. R

    Best Physics Exercise Books for Improving Calculation Skills?

    Hello! I'm very bad in Physics when it comes to making calculations and using formulas and answering that type of questions... Majority of the physics books I get mostly focus on the concepts and explanations rather than the calculations... I was wondering if you any of you guys know of...
  48. I

    Thickest Physics Book: MTW Gravitation or Even Thicker?

    Just curious... Is there a single textbook (excluding freshman physics books and encyclopedias) that beats MTW Gravitation in its thickness (either ruler-measured or page number-wise)?
  49. T

    Older Physics Book-Learning: Pros & Cons

    I recently checked out a college physics book from my high school library. It is a Sears and Zemansky College Physics book. The problem is, it was published in 1960. Now I am pretty sure that it is nearly the exact same physics that would be in a more recent physics book, since the physics...
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