Physics for Scientists and Engineers : Volume 1: Mechanics, Oscillations and Waves; Thermodynamics (Physics for Scientists and Engineers)

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Summary: Is the purpose of a book to learn?
Review: I had Physics for Scientists and Engineers extended version for physics III. I thaught that the book was great because the pages seem very pictorial it seems very popular, since different parts of this book are sold separatley. However, the result of using this book for my first time was failing the class. The book was unreliable for independent study, in the sense that concepts are not clearley explained and the choice of word complicate more the understanding of the material. There are many equations in which the variables are not explained in the proceeding paragrahps, and the fanciness of the subcripts sometimes makes the equations confusing. The bottom line: it is not clearley written. There are a lot of derivations from line integrals and vector equations whose preceiding steps dont follow immediatley from its theory. The extended edition is too heavy, too big to carry with other books specifically when we deal with scientists and engineers . . .

Rating:
Summary: Tipler is not worth it
Review: If you compare Tipler to the "Mechanical Universe", and "Beyond the Mechanical Universe" what you will notice is that Tipler has color and nice graphics (but not always clear to understand), however the Mechanical Universe books get the physics concepts across and after all that is the key - isn't it. Tipler is also confusing since it appears to be somewhere between Algebra based physics and Calculus based physics, where as the Mechanical Universe is Calculus based - which all physics text books at the college level should be. Tipler turns off good students to physics.

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Summary: About the Book - From the Publisher
Review: Physics For Scientists and Engineers
Paul A. Tipler


For nearly 25 years, Tipler's standard-setting textbook has been a favorite for the calculus-based introductory physics course. With this edition, the book makes a dramatic re-emergence, adding innovative pedagogy that eases the learning process without compromising the integrity of Tipler's presentation of the science.

For instructor and student convenience, the Fourth Edition of Physics for Scientists and Engineers is available as three paperback volumes...
Vol. 1: Mechanics, Oscillations and Waves, Thermodynamics, 768 pages, 1-57259-491-8
Vol. 2: Electricity and Magnetism, 544 pages, 1-57259-492-6
Vol. 3: Modern Physics: Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, and The Structure of Matter, 304 pages, 1-57259-490-X

...or in two hardcover versions:
Regular Version (Chaps. 1-35 and 39): 0-7167-3821-X
Extended Version (Chaps. 1-41): 0-7167-3822-8