PSSC Physics

In the early 1990's I was preparing for career in the physical sciences. Even though I used an earlier edition of this textbook it helped to set the foundation for my understanding of physics. I'm buying a copy of this book for my children so when its their time to take a Physics Course in high school they will have access to a tool I had. Based on my observations on the current quality of physics courses available a the high school level they will be better prepared.

I generally despise most science books. Occasionally one rises from the muck and gets my attention. This is one of them.Before even reading it, I had a good hint that this was a winner when I discovered how the topics in it were chosen. The authors surveyed many groups: Physics professors, Physics teachers, Physics students (high school and college), and professional scientists. They asked about important topics and unimportant topics. They looked into what they wished they knew better and what they didn't have much use for. They also looked into utility: does this topic lead to other topics or is it an end in itself.They discovered that circuitry is a dead end, but fields are not. Thus, circuitry is relegated to an optional chapter and fields are in the main part of the book.The book has 20 required chapters based on the surveys I mentioned earlier. At the end are 8 optional chapters that contain other traditional Physics concepts that many teachers may wish to include. Circuitry, for example, is one many teachers feel should be included.The book does a nice job in organizing material. There is no right way, but there are plenty of wrong ones. This book develops ideas between chapters. For example, they begin by analyzing linear motion (but not acceleration). Then, in the next chapter, they add forces and acceleration, which is then linked to the material in the chapter before.The authors do not shy away from advanced material. They are willing to put it where it belongs, but do not bury it in jargon. For example, they may introduce the derivative, but not go into all the terminology. It's enough that the concept is there (in a Physics, not Math sense).If I could have a dream Physics book for the Physics I teach, this book is it.

PSSC (Physical Science Study Committee) Physics is a wonderful but hard textbook for high school physics classes, although freshmen attending non-calculus introductory physics courses will find the book suitable for them too. The illustrations (for example the high-speed photograph showings large distortion of a racket and a ball, and the figure showing a toy merry-go-round driven by a falling weight) are excellent and explanations are clear. Reading this book is not a sterile, nor boring task. The book covers Motion, Atom, Electricity, Magnetism, Heat, Light and Wave. For those who do not want to bother with mathematics but like to have some more knowledge on quantum mechanics and relativity (not covered in the book), "The Dancing Wu Li Masters" by Gary Zukay is highly recommended.