Schaum's Outline of College Physics

I attend an ivy league school, and the physics textbook for physics I and II is incredibly difficult. Last semester I spent almost a thousand dollars on a tutor to get me through physics I because the 150+ person lectures didn't help, and the textbook only made me "dumber". For physics II this semester, I ordered this book hoping that the summary and problems might help - I felt I didn't have much to lose since the book costs the equivalent of 15 minutes worth of tutoring. I used this book almost exclusively to study for the first test, although I was concerned that the problems might be too easy given that they were actually solvable. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the actual test questions could have been pulled from this book (these problems would have been too easy for the tests from the particular teacher I had for physics I, but I still wish I'd had it then). I would have been completely lost trying to study for this test since there were no practice exams to review, and the textbook homework problems were not very helpful. I intend to read this book exclusively, and feel that the combination of lecture, summary and problem solving will be the best use of my time.

This book is fantastic for either supplementary study or serving as stand-alone text. All of the Phys I chapter content found in most other texts will be presented in depth and in concert; typical layout is anywhere from 6-10 pgs of theory and subject explanation, followed by 5-15 pgs of fully solved, worked out problems. The step-by-step nature of the problems is amazing and helped me get an A in both Phys I & II moreso than attending lecture - which was a rarity some weeks. The progression is: Vectors, Mechanics & Motion in several dimensions (mostly 2), Angular & Rotational Dynamics (Center of Inertia), brief Thermodynamics overview (too simple of systems, but at least there's something), Sound & Vibration, Electrical Forces, RC RL RLC circuits, magnetism, induction principles, fields and charges, poles and magnetic materials, optics (reflection, refraction, diffraction, lenses, interference patterns, optical instruments, and finally a cursory examination of relativity. Ideally, read everything (solved problems included) and you're on your way to success. 4-5 pages daily (assumming 100+ day semesters) should do fine. The supplementary problems are optional in my book, and I intend on reading many of them (i.e. those from biology, chemistry, calculus, geometry, digital circuits, engineering math, electric circuits, topology, differential geometry, electronics, discrete & finite maths, quantum mechanics, signals and systems, differential equations......Schaums has superb variety). Thing of it is, there's on average, oh lets say 20-30 chapters per Schaums outline guide. So then, only 2-3 pgs of 20-50 supplementary problems per chapter results in roughly 400-1500 additional problems. As you may expect, on top of already some 500-1000 solved problems, there's a lot of familiary gained with not only problem solving but the entire process of how to state a question and sort out its exact details in equation form.

Many freshman college physics textbooks are just awful. They often go on and on about what is obvious and gloss over the finer points...and of course there are no examples. This is where this book comes in. As in all Schaum's outlines, for each topic there are a few pages of theory including equations, then some problems with the solutions worked out extensively, and then finally some problems with the answers but no extensive solution. The format of the outline is the same that you should expect in any two semester college freshman physics sequence. The first part of the book is an explanation of vectors, newtonian mechanics, fluids, and thermodynamics. The second part of the book follows the usual second semester of freshman physics - electricity, magnetism, and optics. The final six chapters of the outline are an introduction to modern physics, which engineers and physics students would normally take after they finish the two semester freshman physics sequence. A note of caution - do not buy the attractively named "Schaums Outline of Physics for Engineering and Science". It is chocked full of errors! Instead, stay with this old reliable title. It is the best.

Since 1936 a very nice supplement for Advanced High Scool or "without calculus" two semester college physics. Since there is no deductions it can be hardly used as a textbook. Not even v^2=(v_0)^2+2ax or 1/R=1/R_1+1/R_2 ..., etc, (that don't need calculus) are deduced. A telescope is described in one and a half line and there is a Spetial relativity chapter but there are no Maxwell's equations. It is a very nice book! But if you want deductions or calculus or if you are chemistry, math or engineering student you'd better buy "Physics for Engineering and Science" also from Schaum's outlines.

I am currently taking the first year of the Physics Avanced Placement class at my high school and this was one of the books that we needed for the class. Our teacher said that it was very good because of the problems and he is exactly right. There are 46 chapters in the book covering many topics, starting from a beginner's standpoint. I must admit that the explanation in the beginning of each chapter is a little dry but it is concise and to the point. The most useful part of this book or guide is the many problems it has for each chapter. After the explanation part of the chapter, the chapter then goes on to show you problems and the solutions to them. It shows you how to solve them, each step of the way. After these problems, it then gives you many, many practice problems that you can do yourself, it also gives you the answers so that you can check to see if you were right in your calculations. There are so many problems for you to do that it is great practice and after all of them, you feel as if you have truly mastered the concept because the problems build off one another, starting with the easiest then getting progressively harder at the end. I think this is a great book and a great supplement to a Physics course. However, there is one drawback in that this is not really a textbook, it does have some explanation at the beginning of the chapter which is good but it is not like your usual textbook which has more in-depth explanation. But, if you are using this book as a supplement or in connection with another book, then this is all you have to ask for.