Physics [With Access Code]

There are a lot of bad physics textbooks out there and only a handful of great ones, and I think this book qualifies as one of the great ones. First, the writing is very clear. Will everyone understand everything after reading a chapter once? Definitely not. Physics is hard, especially if you've been educated in typical American schools. But Walker knows what misconceptions you have and he addresses them. He gives thorough treatment to issues other texts gloss over in a sentence. Although I agree that the solved problems are typically not the hardest problems, I think that is a good thing. If you go the extra step and do the practice problems following, you'll cement the concept in your mind. He often refers you to related homework problems, too. Super helpful to test prep!! Some really helpful things: The solved problems take you through a specific procedure....picture, strategy, solution, insight and practice problem. Often, the numbers of related homework problems are given. Conceptual checkpoints clear up important issues. Odd numbered conceptual questions have answers in the back (unlike some other texts). Lots of excellent diagrams/pictures (but as every textbook, incomplete). Problem Solving Notes and Real World Examples in the sidebars. What I like best about Walker is that he doesn't assume you know too much, and he repeats himself as necessary without overdoing it. Is it perfect? No, but no text I've ever found is. If you're a serious student, you'll get a solutions guide, and perhaps even another text to supplement. Of course, a teacher or tutor who can answer your personal questions is the most efficient strategy. In this age of technology, a CD/DVD with interactive animations should accompany this book. Maybe that will be in the 4th edition.

This book is pretty good at explaining things, but my teacher usually comments that she doesn't like a lot of the problems at the end of the chapter. Personally, I feel that having the book has helped me a lot in understanding physics.

Good Condition. The book did not take too long. I am very pleased with the purchase.

A great physics textbook. Has lots of illustrations and worked out examples. Also provides a plethora of different types of problems on the same material. Chapters are well organized and easy to read. A great text.

I used this book after becoming disgusted with couple of other textbooks. In my view, the level of rigor is about the same as that of Sears, Zemansky and Young but much more readable than Sears. This is probably the best trig based book in the market to have come out in last ten years.