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Physics Books for the Novice?
cornjchob asks: "I've been a Slashdot reader for quite sometime now, and I've seen alot of Physics articles posted. I've got a good understanding of alot of it, but that doesn't mean there's no room to improve. So what's some good reading material for Physics that will give you a good, solid foundation if you've missed something, and then give you some additional stuff? What about online articles or PDF's for us cheap folk? Quantum Mechanics is another subject area that--judging by alot of posts underneath the articles, at least--many of us could use some brushing up on. Any suggestions for books/articles/PDF's on that? Suggestions on anything pertinent to any of those would be great."
Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker is now in its sixth edition.
This is the book that I used when I was a freshman in college (am now a physics grad student) and it is excellent. It covers everything, including basic modern physics in its extended version, and has many cool gee-whiz examples of physics. It costs a pretty penny when new, but you could probably find a used, previous edition for cheap. I'd not buy any lower than the 4th edition.
You will, however, need to know some calculus, as it is designed for a calculus-based university physics course. This is a good thing, I think, since the real meat of physics is based on calculus.
Reading the popular-science type of book will only take you so far, if you want to start learning the real thing, you have to start dealing with books that have math in them.
The Cartoon Guide to Physics (Gonick and Huffman) and The New Way Things Work (Macaulay, Ardley) are both excellent books for a low-level introduction to physics. Both books present physics in an accurate, yet simplified way suitable for anyone past the 7th grade.
I picked up his books years back, and they are all great. Most are very easy going reads, if you are into reading about physics. He uses a lot of good analogies that get your mind working.
t s.asp?WRD=michio+kaku&userid=529XSYBO5D
Here's a BN.com link:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/resul
Dacels Jewelers can't be trusted.
would advise you to read 'Quantum Reality' by Nick Herbert. It is the *only* lay explanation of the subject I have ever read actually worth a damn in terms of the actual physics involved. Virtually all of the other books being recomended here are good reads, but I wouldn't call them physics at all. My interpretation of your question is that you want to go beyond that sort of book. Read Herbert's book, pay attention, and you'll have a better understanding of the state of quantum physics then some physicists I know. All without a drop of math too.
For "good reads," rather than good physics, try:
Steven Weinberg's 'Dreams of a Final Theory." A good look by a real physicist at where some people are trying to take physics.
What's physics without a little math? David Berlinski has done the impossible and written a *book*, not a text book, a *BOOK* about the calculus. 'Tour of the Calculus.' Loverly little bit of work. Thank you David.
Someone else mentioned 'The God Particle." I'll second that. Most books on physics talk about theory or "gee whiz" stuff. This is simply an anecdotal telling of the real life of a hardcore experimental physicist. Well worth the read.
For more elementary physics there are already umptynine recommendations for the Feynman Lectures, all moded up to +5. Who am I to object?
BUT: Whatever you do don't miss Feynman's anecdotal books, 'What do you care what People Think?' and 'Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!'
They have absolutely nothing to do with physics, per se, and yet at the same time seem to have everything to do with physics, plus they'll be the most fun you have reading this year, and maybe next.
You want to get a little more hardcore? Get 'Physics' by Hallidy & Resnick. Read 'em. Learn 'em ( and all the relevant math). Work all the problems. Congratulations, you're an A.S. in physics.
There are some online sites for physics but I've never warmed up to them. You need the books, you need to be able to open the page, read a bit, put it down and ponder, go for a walk and ponder some more, pick the book back up, read a couple more pages, go "hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm," take it to bed, read a few more pages and fall asleep with visions of quarks dancing in your head.
You need the bloody books. Buy them, steal them, whatever you have to do to *possess* them. Keep them as treasured Holy objects. You won't regret it.
KFG
Choose the math. Physics is just intellectual masturbation and handwaving without math.