Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Pocket Guide)

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.

~~~~~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.~~~~~

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.

Being familiar with other texts by Hecht, Halliday-Resnick-Walker, and Giancoli, Serway gives a far superior explanation of physics and its applications. I used this book in highschool for AP Physics and greatly miss it while stuck with Halliday-Resnick-Walker(A book supposedly good enough to be used at Harvard). Serway's Physics for Scientists and Engineers is a definite must for any Engineering, Math, or Physical Science major.

This book has to be the BEST physics book available. I have used Tipler, Halliday & Resnick, Giancoli, and Serway has been truly outstanding. Moreover, the book gives an incredibly clear explanation of the subject: it's concise and the examples are excellent. Indeed it is the BEST book out there on physics.