Structure of an Atom |
Introductory Physics
Tracer Bullet 05-7
Physics might be defined as the study of patterns in
nature: patterns described by mathematically-expressed models,
which are then tested by rigorous experiment. It is a field which describes
the interactions of matter and energy in all its forms, and includes
both the mundane and the esoteric, on scales ranging from the sub-atomic
to the galactic.
Physics is a mental collaboration that has taken place world-wide
across the centuries. Its many dedicated contributors have
ranged from the philosophers of ancient Greece, to legendary geniuses
such as Galileo and Newton, to giants of the twentieth century
like Einstein and Feynman, and will include the scientists--and students--of
today and tomorrow.
This Tracer Bullet is intended as a basic list of resources
for those wanting to know something about the science, methods,
people, and discoveries of physics. The books mentioned are intended
as introductions, only, to the subject. Not intended to be a comprehensive
bibliography, this guide is designed, as the name of the series
implies, to put the reader "on target".
TOP OF PAGE
Subject Headings used by the Library of Congress, under which books
on physics can be located in most card, book, and online catalogs:
Highly Relevant:
PHYSICS--EXPERIMENTS
PHYSICS--HISTORY
PHYSICS--PHILOSOPHY
Relevant:
PHYSICS--LABORATORY MANUALS
PHYSICS--METHODOLOGY
PHYSICS--OUTLINES, SYLLABI, ETC.
PHYSICS--PERIODICALS
PHYSICS--PROBLEMS, EXERCISES, ETC.
PHYSICS--PROGRAMMED INSTRUCTION
PHYSICS--STUDY AND TEACHING
Related:
PHYSICS--RESEARCH
PHYSICS IN LITERATURE
PHYSICS--CONGRESSES
TOP OF PAGE
TEXTBOOKS contain an organized, reliable introduction
to physics. Textbooks are especially valuable because of the questions
and problem sets they contain. Often an author will use them to
emphasize points of special importance, to involve and challenge
the student with the material, or even to include supplemental
information. While most textbooks deal with the same basic breadth of
information, the depth of their treatment depends on
the level of mathematical sophistication they employ. Mathematics
is the most precise "language" of physics, and advanced study requires
mathematical fluency.
TOP OF PAGE
BASIC TEXTS - Basic Math Needed
Bloomfield, Louis. How things work: the physics of everyday life. 3rd ed. New York, Wiley, c2006. 561 p.
QC21.2.B59 2006 <SciRR>
Eisenkraft, Arthur. Active physics. Armonk, N.Y., It's
About Time, Inc., 1998. 7pts.
Title of the parts include Home, Medicine, Transportation,
Predictions, Communications, Sports
and Light up my Life.
Parts bound separately.
Not in LC Collections
Glashow, Sheldon L. From alchemy to quarks: the study of physics
as a liberal art. Pacific Grove, Cal., Brooks/Cole Pub., 1994.
692 p.
Includes bibliographical references.
QC21.2.G58 1994
Griffith, W. Thomas. The physics of everyday phenomena: a
conceptual introduction to physics.
4th ed.
Boston, McGraw-Hill, c2004. 501 p.
QC23 .G86 2004<SciRR>
Includes bibliographical references.
Hewitt, Paul G. Conceptual physics. 10th ed.
San Francisco, Pearson Addison Wesley, c2006.
788 p.
Includes bibliographical references.
QC23.2.H488 2005 <SciRR>
March, Robert H. Physics for poets. 5th ed.
Boston McGraw-Hill, c2003. 288 p.
QC23.2.M37 2003
Trefil, James S., and Robert M. Hazen. Physics matters: an introduction
to conceptual physics. Hoboken, N.J., Wiley, c2004. 691 p
QC23.2.T74 2004
BASIC TEXTS - Algebra, Geometry, and Basic Trigonometry Needed
Cutnell, John D., and Kenneth W. Johnson. Physics. 6th
ed. Hobobken, N.J., Wiley, c2004. 716p.
QC23.2.C87 2004 <SciRR>
Ewen, Dale, Neill Schurter, and P. Erik Gundersen. Applied
physics. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J., Pearson Prentice Hall, c2005. 747 p. + 1 CD-ROM (4 3/4 in.)
QC23.2.E88 2005 <MRC>
Rev. ed. of Physics for career education. 7th ed., c2002.
Giancoli, Douglas C. Physics: principles with applications.
6th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J., Prentice Hall c2004.
946 p.
QC23 .G399 2004<SciRR>
Hecht, Eugene. Physics: algebra/trig. 3rd ed. Pacific Grove,
Calif., Thomson-Brooks/Cole, c2003. 1175 p. + 1 CD-ROM (4 3/4 in.)
QC21.2.H427 2003 <MRC>
Serway, Raymond A., and others. College physics. 7th ed. Pacific
Grove, Calif., Thomson-Brooks/Cole, c2006. 1008 p.
QC21.3.S46 2006
Touger, Jerold. Introductory physics: building understanding.
Hoboken, N.J., Wiley, c2006. 875 p.
QC21.3.T68 2006
Walker, James S. Physics. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J., Pearson/Prentice
Hall, c2004. 1 v.
QC23.2.W35 2004
Young, Hugh D, and Robert M. Geller. Sears & Zemansky’s
college physics. 8th ed. San Francisco, Pearson/Addison Wesley,
c2006. 640 p.
Includes bibliographical references.
8th ed. of College Physics.
QC23.2.Y68 2005
Zitzewitz, Paul W. Glencoe physics: principles and problems.
New York., Glencoe/McGraw Hill, 2005. 944 p.
Not in LC Collections
BASIC TEXTS - Algebra, Geometry, Basic Trigonometry, and Calculus
Needed
Giancoli, Douglas C. Physics for scientists & engineers with modern physics. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J., Prentice Hall, c2000. 1 v.
QC21.2.G52 2000
Halliday, David, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker. Fundamentals
of physics. 7th ed., extended. New York, Wiley,
2005. 1 v.
QC21 .2.H35 2005
Hecht, Eugene. Physics: calculus. 2nd ed.
Pacific Grove, Calif., Brooks/Cole, 2000. 2 v. + 2 computer laser
optical
discs (4 3/4 in.)
QC21.2.H43 2000 <MRC>
Serway, Raymond A., and John W. Jewett, Jr. Principles of physics:
a calculus-based text. 4th ed. Victoria, Australia; Belmont, Calif.,
Thomson/Brooks/Cole, c2006. 1 v.
QC21.3.S47 2006
Understanding physics. Karen Cummings and others ... and members
of Activity Based Physics Group. Hoboken, N.J., Wiley, c2004. 4
v.
QC23.2.U54 2004
”Based on Fundamentals of physics by David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and
Jearl Walker.”
Young, Hugh D. University physics: extended version with modern
physics. 11th ed. San Francisco, Pearson Addison
Wesley Pub. Co., c2004. 3 v.
QC21.3.Y68 2004
TOP OF PAGE
EXPERIMENTATION is a vital part of the scientific
method. While learning basic physics, experiments tie abstract concepts
to real-life experience. Some of the following books have been written
for younger readers, while others are meant to provide suggestions
for physics teachers. They all contain fascinating methods and activities
to bring the concepts presented in textbooks to life.
SIMPLE LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS
Cunningham, James B., and Norman Herr. Hands-on physics activities
with real-life applications: easy-to-use labs and demonstrations
for grades 8-12. West Nyack, N.Y., Center for Applied Research
in Education, 1994. 657 p. (Physical science curriculum library,
v. 1)
QC30.C86 1994
Ehrlich, Robert. Turning the world inside out and 174 other
simple physics demonstrations. Princeton, N.J., Princeton University
Press, 1990. 216 p.
Bibliography: p. 209.
QC33.E54 1990
Ehrlich, Robert. Why toast lands jelly-side down: zen and the
art of physics demonstrations. Princeton, N.J., Princeton University
Press, 1997. 196 p.
Bibliography: p. 193-194.
QC33.E55 1997 <SciRR>
Friedhoffer, Robert. Physics lab in a housewares store.
New York, Franklin Watts, c1996. 95 p.
QC25.F76 1996
Friedhoffer, Robert. Physics lab in the home. New York,
Franklin Watts, c1997. 80 p.
QC25.F764 1997
Gibbs, Keith. The resourceful physics teacher: 600 ideas for
creative teaching. Bristol, Eng., Philadelphia, Institute of
Physics Publishing, 1999. 229 p.
QC30.G53 1999
Miller, Julius Sumner. Demonstrations in physics. Sydney,
London, Ure Smith, 1969. 144 p.
QC33.M55 1969
Pitucco, Anthony P., and Shawn Agut. The restaurant at the
beginning of the universe: exploring the wonderment of the world
through physics. Tucson, Ariz., Zephyr Press, 1997. 152 p.
QC25.P53 1997
VanCleave, Janice P. Janice VanCleave's physics for every kid:
101 experiments in motion, heat, light, machines, and sound.
New York, Wiley, c1991. 241 p.
QC25.V25 1991
TOP OF PAGE
Adair, Robert Kemp. The physics of baseball. 2nd
ed., rev., updated and enl. New York, HarperPerennial, c1994. 142
p.
QC26.A23 1994
Boys, C. V. Soap bubbles and the forces which mould them.
Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday Anchor Books, 1959. 156 p. (Science
study series, S3)
QC183.B78 1959
Cole, K. C. First you build a cloud: and other reflections
on physics as a way of life. San Diego, Harcourt Brace, 1999.
231 p.
Bibliography p 221-222.
Originally published as Sympathetic vibrations
in New York by W. Morrow, c1985.
QC21.2.C62 1999
Cole, Rodney. So you want to take physics: a preparatory course.
Fort Worth, Saunders College Pub., 1993. 327 p.
QC21.2.C623 1993
Feynman, Richard P. The character of physical law. Cambridge,
Mass., M.I.T. Press, 1965. 173 p. (The M.I.T. Press paperback series,
66)
QC28.F4 1965
Feynman, Richard P. Six easy pieces: essentials of physics,
explained by its most brilliant teacher. Originally prepared
for publication by Robert B. Leighton and Matthew Sands; new introduction
by Paul Davies. Reading, Mass., Addison Wesley, 1995. 145 p.
QC21.2.F52 1995
Feynman, Richard P., Robert B. Leighton, and Matthew Sands. The
Feynman lectures on physics. Redwood City, Calif.,
Addison Wesley, c1989. 3 v.
Contents: v. 1. Mainly mechanics, radiation,
and heat.--v. 2. Mainly electromagnetism and matter.--v. 3. Quantum
mechanics.
Originally published 1963-1965.
QC21.2.F49 1989 <SciRR>
Flatow, Ira. Rainbows, curve balls, and other wonders of the
natural world explained. New York, Perennial Library, 1989,
c1988. 240 p.
Q173.F6 1989
Gerholm, Tor Ragnar. Physics and man, an invitation to modern
physics. Totowa, N.J., Bedminster Press, 1967. 362 p.
QC28.G3713
Translation and revision of Fysiken och människan.
Ghose, P. (Partha), and Dipankar Home. Riddles in your teacup:
fun with everyday scientific puzzles. 2nd ed.
London, Philadelphia, Institute of Physics, 1994. 173 p.
QC75.G48 1994
Glashow, Sheldon L. The charm of physics. New York, American
Institute of Physics, c1991. 306 p.
QC776.G59 1991
Guillen, Michael. Five equations that changed the world: the
power and poetry of mathematics. New York, Hyperion, c1995.
277 p.
QC24.5.G85 1995
Irwin, Keith Gordon. The romance of physics. New York,
Scribner, 1966. 240 p.
Bibliography: p. 229-231.
QC7.I7
Jargodzki, Christopher. Science brain-twisters, paradoxes,
and fallacies. New York, Scribner, c1976. 183 p.
Q182.J37 <SciRR>
Krauss, Lawrence Maxwell. Fear of physics: a guide for the
perplexed. New York, Basic Books, c1993. 206 p.
Biobliography: p. 200
QC21.2.K73 1993
Physics experiments on file. The Diagram Group. New York, Facts On File,
c2003. 1 v.
QC33.P468 2003 <SciRR>
Physics. Chicago, Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, 2001. 278 p.
(Hutchinson trends in science)
Partial contents: Overview by Chris Cooper--Chronology--Biographical sketches–Directory of organizations and institutions--Selected works for further readers--Web
sites--Glossary.
QC21.3.P48 2003<SciRR>
Potter, Frank, and Christopher P. Jargodzki. Mad about modern physics:
braintwisters, paradoxes, and curiosities. Hoboken, N.J., Wiley, c2005. 296 p.
Includes bibliographical references.
QC24.5.P68 2005
Rothman, Tony. Instant physics: from Aristotle to Einstein
and beyond. New York, Fawcett Columbine, 1995. 242 p.
QC24.5.R68 1995
Segrè, Emilio. From falling bodies to radio waves: classical
physicists and their discoveries. New York, W. H. Freeman,
c1984. 298 p.
Bibliography: p. 284-288.
QC7.S435 1984
Speyer, Edward. Six roads from Newton: great discoveries in
physics. New York, Wiley, c1994. 196 p.
Includes bibliographical references.
QC21.2.S647 1994
Spielberg, Nathan, and Byron Anderson. Seven ideas that shook
the universe. New York, Wiley, 1995. 355 p.
Includes bibliographical references.
QC21.2.S65 1995<SciRR>
Von Baeyer, Hans Christian. Rainbows, snowflakes, and quarks:
physics and the world around us. New York, Random House, c1993.
175 p.
Originally published in New York by McGraw-Hill
Book, 1984.
Bibliography: p. 173-175.
QC24.5.V67 1993
Walker, Jearl. The flying circus of physics. New York,
Wiley, 1975. 224 p.
Includes bibliographical references.
Not in LC collections
TOP OF PAGE
Abstracting and Indexing Services that index relevant journal articles
and other literature on physics. While the abstracts may be somewhat
advanced for a beginning physics student, they offer a glimpse
of the field's cutting edge. Consult a reference librarian for location
of these materials in the Science Reading Room. Several of these
titles may also be available on-line.
Physics Abstracts (1903- )
QC1.P46 <SciRR A&I>
and Computer format
Applied Science and Technology Index (1913- )
Z7913.I7 <SciRR>
Online in LC: First Search's OCLC
General Science Index(1978-
Z7401.G46 <SciRR A&I>
Online in LC: First Search's OCLC
Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature (1900-)
AI3.R48 <BusRef>
Online in LC: Wilson
Web
TOP OF PAGE
Journals contain information about learning,
teaching, and understanding both classic concepts and the latest discoveries
in physics:
Discover |
Q1.D57 |
Physics Teacher |
QC30.P48 |
Physics Today |
QC1.P658 |
Quantum (1990-2001) |
QC30.Q36 |
Science Teacher |
Q181.S38 |
Scientific American |
T1.S53 |
TOP OF PAGE
Altshuler, Ken. Art and physics. Physics teacher, v. 32,
May 1994: 271-273.
QC30.P48
Biryukov, A. Karate chop. Quantum, v. 9, May/June 1999:
14-18.
QC30.Q36
De Seve, Karen. Where do I go with physics? Career world, v. 34, Nov./Dec. 2005: 22-25.
HF5381.A1C284
Edelman, Bruce. The greatest lab on earth. Science teacher,
v. 57, May 1990: 33-35.
Q181.S38
Escobar, Carole. Amusement park physics. Physics teacher,
v. 28, Oct. 1990: 446-453.
QC30.P48
Fischette, Mark. Working knowledge: radar gun. Scientific American,
v. 284, March 2001: 76-77.
T1.S53
Folger, Tim. From here to eternity. Discover, v. 21, Dec.
2000: 54-61.
Q1.D57
Krauss, Laurence M. Questions that plague physics: a conversation with
Lawrence Krauss. Scientific American,
v. 291, Aug. 2004: 82-85.
T1.S5
Larabec, David. Car collisions, physics, and the state highway
patrol. Physics teacher, v. 38, Sept. 2000: 334-336
QC30.P48
Long, Dale D. Suggestions for physics students. Physics teacher,
v. 34, March 1996: 186-188.
QC30.P48
Ludlam, Thomas, and Larry McLerran. What have we learned from the relativistic heavy ion collider? Physics
today, v. 56, Oct. 2003: 48-54.
QC1.P658
Rist, Curtis. Roll over, Newton. Discover, v. 22, Apr.
2001: 44-49.
Q1.D57
Rosenfeld, Arthur, Tina Kaarsberg, and Joseph Romm. Technologies
to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the next decade. Physics
today, v. 53, Nov. 2000: 29-34
QC1.P658
Swinson, Derek B. Physics and snowboarding. Physics teacher,
v. 32, Dec. 1994: 530-534.
QC30.P48
Tegmark, Max and John Archibald Wheeler. 100 Years of quantum mysteries.
Scientific American, v. 284, Feb. 2001: 68-75.
T1.S5
Trout, K. P., and Charles A. Gaston. Active-learning physics experiments using the Tarzan Swing. Physics teacher, v. 39, Mar. 2001: 160-163.
QC30.P48
Volpe, Michael. Super bowl physics. Physics teacher, v.
32, Oct. 1994: 399-402.
QC30.P48
TOP OF PAGE
Selected Materials available in the Science Reading Room pamphlet
boxes include the following:
Battersby, Stephen. Are we nearly there yet: the hunt for the theory of everything. New scientist,
v. 186, Apr. 30, 2005: 30-34.
Bloomfield, Louis A. How things work: a physics course for non-scientists.
Physics teacher, v. 35, Oct. 1997: 439-442.
Edge, Ronald. Surf physics. Physics teacher, v. 39, May
2001: 272-277.
Gefter, Amanda. The riddle of time. New scientist, v. 188, Oct. 15, 2005: 30-33.
Hammock, Frank M. If only Newton had a rocket; a model mechanics
lesson. Science teacher, v. 55, Apr. 1988: 42-45.
Menz, Paul G. The physics of bungee jumping. Physics teacher,
v. 31, Nov. 1993: 483-487.
Mityugov, V. On the quantum nature of heat. Quantum, v.
10, Nov.-Dec. 1999: 10-13, 30
Van Hise, Yvette A., and George R. Hague Jr. Physics with fizz.
Science teacher, v. 54, Sept. 1987: 54-57.
Yam, Philip. Everyday Einstein. Scientific American, v. 291, Sept. 2004: 50-55.
Zwart, John W., and others. Playground physics. Science teacher,
v. 61, May 1994: 29-32.
TOP OF PAGE
Materials and Internet resources offered by a number of outstanding
organizations are especially valuable to the beginning physics student.
Several of the best-known are listed below.
The American Association of Physics Teachers
One Physics Ellipse
College Park MD 20740-3845
Telephone: (301) 209-3300
http://www.aapt.org
The American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse
College Park MD 20740-3845
Telephone: (301) 209-3100
http://www.aip.org
The American Physical Society
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740-3844
Telephone: (301) 209-3200
http://www.aps.org
The National Science Teachers Association
1840 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201-3000
Telephone: (703) 243-7100
http://www.nsta.org
In addition to the websites listed above, the Internet supplies
a wide range of resources to the introductory physics student,
providinglessons, links, physics news, physics history, and physics humor.
Sample sites are listed below. Internet book supply services may be a handy
source of printed material listed elsewhere in this Tracer Bullet,
if your local library or bookstore cannot supply the titles you need.
comPADRE: Resources for Physics and Astronomy Education
A collaboration of the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American
Physical Society, the American Institute of Physics/Society of Physics Students,
and the American Astronomical Society
http://www.compadre.org/portal/index.cfm
Educator’s Reference Desk
Can search ERIC, a valuable education database from the site
Associated with the Information Institute of Syracuse and Virtual Reference
Desk
http://www.eduref.org/
Fear of Physics
http://www.fearofphysics.com/
Fermilab
Associated with the U.S. Department of Energy
http://www.fnal.gov/
How Things Work
http://howthingswork.virginia.edu/
Mad Scientist Network
http://www.madsci.org/
The Net Advance of Physics
Associated with The Massachusetts Institute of Technology
http://web.mit.edu/afs/athena.mit.edu/user/r/e/redingtn/www/netadv/welcome.html
Physics 2000
Associated with the University of Colorado at Boulder
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/index.pl
Physics Central
Associated with the American Physical Society
http://www.physicscentral.com/
The Physics Classroom
Associated with Glenbrook South High School, Glenbrook, IL
http://physicsclassroom.com
Physics Notes
Associated with the University of Winnepeg
http://theory.uwinnipeg.ca/physics/
Physics Web
Associated with the Institute of Physics
http://physicsweb.org/
The Physics Zone
Associated with Science Joy Wagon
http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszone
PhysLINK
http://www.physlink.com/
World Lecture Hall
Associated with the Center for Instructional Technologies, Division of Instructional
and Assessment
University of Texas at Austin
http://web.austin.utexas.edu/wlh/
Type in term physics
Compiled by Richard Halada - updated 6/2006
|