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Title: Basic Physics : A Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides) by Karl F. Kuhn ISBN: 0-471-13447-3 Publisher: Wiley Pub. Date: March, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.43 (7 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Rudimentary and Generally Useless for Studying...
Comment: I am currently enrolled in an entry-level physics course. There is no calculus involved in this course, nor is it a "math" based physics course: Rather, it is an introduction to most topics fundamental to physics. For the purposes of academicia, this book is essentially useless. Its coverage of topics attempts to be too many things at once: As a student, I got the impression that it was an attempt to cover everything, but with as little complexity as possible.
Thus, one is left with a sense of surface understanding, but very few abilities for application.
This book was purchased as a method by which I could introduce myself to topics covered in class. The theory behind this was that if i learned the basics from an outside source, then when we covered them (more in-depth and mechanical, less layman's-terms). This book provides an overly-simplified, dumbed-down portrayal of physics.
If you've never taken any physics courses and have - literally - no background in mechanics (and a weak background in algebra-based math), then this book may be perfect for you: It is a gentle, superficial introduction to the most basic concepts of physics. There basic discussion of Newton's laws of motion, some kinetic/potential energy discussion, etc: All topics common to most non-math physics courses. Additionally, while brief explanations of major laws and motions are given, there are very few practice problems and application instances. Thus, you've learned - in theory - say, Newton's Second Law. But the book, in no way, guides you through an application of said law.
Simply, it is a gentle introduction - and very gentle, at that - to the world of physics. The simple language is easy to follow, though topics are hardly covered thoroughly. But it is a good starting-off point if you are easing yourself into the study of physics (on your own). I highly recommend finding another, more thorough (and in-depth) book in order to further examine topics.
Rating: 4
Summary: An useful introduction to physics
Comment: rating 4.5;
Dr Kuhn has made a somewhat different approach to the usual methods of teaching physics
1) Mathematically (formulas!)
2) Conceptually (no mathematics, just ideas, more like 'popular science')
Instead he has sought a pedagogically stronger middle ground (balancing act) between these two methods that don't always compliment each other: especially in the minds of those who can't do mathematics very well but commmunicate well, or do mathematics very well and not the communicating thing very well. This means he has effectively made physics more accessible and more applicable (by including optional mathematical treatments of some topics). SO you can learn the concepts and then move on to the introductory mathematics of these concepts.
Lets face it: the push with physics now, so it seems, is concept mastery before mathematical treatment (anybody can learn some equations, plug the numbers in and turn the handle...it's knowing what they meant that's far more important). Dr Kuhn does a good job of this. His language, style and setting are conducive to reading and gaining the concepts in a fairly standard progression (this can be seen in the table of contents). The level here is for the 10-11 grade student or somebody who has never seen physics before. This book will not make passing those university physics courses overly likely. But it will get you on the right track so you can confront the books that those courses require you to read (and work with mathematically). Dr Kuhn uses the tool of a small 'section' quiz - three, four five questions at the end of each section (very short!) to reinforce the point of that section. His presentation of material in small 'bite-sized' pieces is also good, as is the profusion of diagrams (albeit black and white, line diagrams for the most part).
I admire the Dr Kuhn has made 'real', formalized physics (rather than just pop science) more approachable, applicable and this can't be bad. Maybe it will take some of the tarnish of the bad name physics has as 'the geek science'. And yes, the book is mostly metric!
One annoyance (hence the loss of 0.5 stars): the answers are right after the questions so it' easy for the student to 'accidentally' catch a peak. Maybe next edition put them at the end of the chapter or in an appendix.
Another book that could be used to compliment (or follow on from) Dr Kuhn's book, having a higher level and depth and more mathematics, is Physics (Palgrave Foundations)by Jim Breithaupt (isbn: 1403900558). It is geared more toward the final year high school student/1st year university student. Followed by Physics by Hecht (isbn: 0534339859) if you want a serious physics books (and weighty one too!)
So in all, this book is a very good starting point for physics! It doesn't promise more than an introduction to the topic, but at least it will present you with enough concepts so you can move onwards and upwards through the subject (of course, with the comensurate rise in mathematics and the ability to do it). I think if I was facing learning physics from scratch (thank god I'm not -> I have an engineering degree), this is the book I would like to try with. I think it would make that both enjoyable and rewarding because making learning progress and gaining conceptual understanding is a major theme of this book.
Rating: 5
Summary: New to Physics?
Comment: If you are new to physics and know nothing about the subject than this is the place to start. It makes learning physics fun and easy. It covers all the basics and unlike other books their are no mistakes that I am aware of. This book takes a non-mathematical approach toward the subject so you don't have to be a wiz at math. Although, their is some math involved, most is optional. Their are problems to be solved on almost every page and their is a quiz at the end of each chapter to reinforce what you learn. Their are other great physics books out there but this is the best one I've read, hands down.
Might I also recommend, 'Physics Made Simple'. A great book as well.
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Title: Chemistry: Concepts and Problems : A Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides) by Clifford C. Houk, Richard Post ISBN: 0471121207 Publisher: Wiley Pub. Date: February, 1996 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Physics Made Simple (Made Simple) by IRA M. FREEMAN ISBN: 038524228X Publisher: Made Simple Pub. Date: 01 December, 1989 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Biology: A Self-Teaching Guide, 2nd edition by Steven Daniel Garber ISBN: 0471223301 Publisher: Wiley Pub. Date: 15 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Practical Algebra: A Self-Teaching Guide, 2nd Edition by Peter H. Selby, Steve Slavin ISBN: 0471530123 Publisher: Wiley Pub. Date: 14 February, 1991 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Physics: By Johnnie T. Dennis (COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO) by Johnnie T. Dennis ISBN: 159257081X Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 05 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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