<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: A very concise and comprehensive text, but...
Review: For undergraduates in the physical sciences (Physics, Astronomy, Engineering, Computer Science, Math, and Chemistry), this book is great. If someone has a good math background in Trig and Calculus they should be able to understand almost everything. Where I think it may fail is in its application for undergraduates in the Life Sciences (Biology, possibly Psychology if they are hard-core enough to take a physics class). Half of all science majors are Biology majors, and it's not fair that they have to read the same text that physical science undergraduates read. Most biology programs do not require trigonometry to be taken, so a biology major will quickly be lost reading this book. Also, life scientists like me can easily figure out things like optics, but are very confused by the terminology of Physics. For example, in Biology a "cell membrane" is a very understandable term. It's the protein-lipid bilayer that surrounds a cell and is semi-permeable to small molecules. It's common sense---anyone can understand it. But in physics, the terminology in this text is anything but common-sense. I will give you two examples. First they define torque as "the moment-arm of rotation about an axis". I understand rotation about an axis, but what the heck is a "moment arm"? Define that please! Second, they define magnetism as the flux force through a charged area. I understand charges, areas, but flux force? This is why lay people and life scientists hate physics, because the terminology is deliberately arcane. Don't just define the terms, explain them!
Rating: 
Summary: One of the better first-year texts
Review: I am amused by the comments of the reviewers panning this text. Serway is one of about 5 first-year physics texts. These all cover almost the same material, and in almost the same way (down to keeping the same subjects in the same subject numbers). Serway is one of the best of this groups - in my personal opinion, the best; but many will disagree.
In any event, one can only say to the kiddies, "sorry you can't understand Serway, because that's as good as it gets."
Rating:
Summary: Great for self instruction and very clear.
Review: I am not sure whether this text is worthwile having in conjunction with a physics course. It is, however, wonderful for self instruction. The author often shows several different ways you can see the same concept, which defefinately helps you gain a deep understanding of physics. The prose is clear and organized. The author is constantly showing you phenomena related to whatever Serway may be talking about to help foster your curiousity (though that may be unecessary). I recommend you get the two seperate volumes. This one is HUGE and heavy. That is my only criticism. Half the book is problems. The problems are excellent and sometimes require deep thought. I learned college physics this way, and am only in middle school. This book really has all you need.
Rating: 
Summary: Look elsewhere
Review: I've just purchased R.C. Hibbler's 'Statics and Dynamics' and you wouldn't believe the difference in the depth of detail between Serway's and Hibbler's texts. More often than not, I was left scratching my head and staring at a blank piece of paper for long periods wondering how I would approach, let alone solve, some of the problems in Serway's text. With Hibbler, the concepts and techniques are covered in great detail leaving you with no questions about how to tackle tough problems. Admittedly, Hibbler will only take you as far as Mechanics, but you will excell at the subject, and in your physics class, if you rely upon Hibbler's text. My advice to you engineering hopefuls: If you can afford it, supplement your library with R.C. Hibbler's Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics; you will fall to your knees weeping with joy every morning, and thanking God for the remaining days of your life.
Rating:
Summary: it's really really helpful
Review: Most of us engineering students started physics in high school, which is algebra based. Then we go onto college and the physics classes there use calculus. Now unless you are a math and physics super student, then you should probably buy this book. To me, it seems to just give enough calculus. Some other books - the one used in my school for example, gives too much calculus and confuse the heck out of me. But this book puts concepts as the number one priority, and caculus as the secondary priority. Once the concepts are conveyed to the reader, the calculus seems to fit onto the concepts kind of naturally almost. I like that approach, plus the fact that the author can really explain things really well makes this a great book for all students struggling in college level calculus based physics classes.
Rating: 
Summary: Too few examples
Review: Serway does a decent job explaining the concepts but there were few problem examples- and the study guide only went over a few selected problems. The color illustrations were helpful but sometimes Serway would present 13 different forms of the same formula- some with integrals/derivatives, some without, and choosing which form to use was often confusing. I have not been able to sample other physics books, but I am sure there are better choices, although this one isn't too bad. My physics professor for Physics I and II was an interesting fellow, with a twisted sense of humor and a hatred of his own car, as well as this book. I can't say that made class easier, but it certianly made it more interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Great for self instruction and very clear.
Review: This book would be fine for a student with a very good teacher but, if you have a teacher that is very hard to understand because of his accent ,as in my case, then you need a book that makes it possible to teach yourself and this one is definitely not it!
Rating:
Summary: Just to bring the star quality down
Review: You already know what I think, and this entry is soley designed to bring the quality rating down as a warning to others who might be thinking of buying this awful text.
Rating:
Summary: Great Intro to Physics
Review: ~~~~~Good:
1) Many visual and applied examples.
2) Problems have levels of difficulty. Enough easy ones to solidfy the basics, plenty of difficult problems to fully understand the concepts, and some challenging problems to make sure you will never forget physics and obscure mathematical concepts you've learned before.
3) Covers all basic fields of physics: mechanics, wave, thermodynamics, eletromagnetism, light, sound, special relativity, and modern physics.
Bad:
1) Great book,~~ but~~ it still lacks some deep theoretical concepts and derivations for hard-core physics majors. Overall, this book is great preparation for studies in any field of science and engineering. I've used this book in high school to get 5's on E/M & Mech of AP Physics C exams. Now at Caltech, this is still one of the basic reference text books for freshmen physics courses. The effects of this book are everlasting; very worthy investment.~~~~~
<< 1 >>
|
