Best Physics C textbook

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1

<p>My daughter wants to self-study for Physics C while taking Physics B. I know a lot of posters have recommended using just a review book to supplement the Physics C material, but, given that she would like to study Physics in college, she would like to use a textbook as well (to the extent she can fit in the time). What calculus-based Physics textbook do you recommend? The reviews at Amazon are all over the place. Did you love your textbook? Would it work for a self-studier?</p>

<p>It seems like the main contenders are:
Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Knight
Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Serway & Jewett
Physics by Resnick, Halliday and Krane
Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Giancoli
University Physics by Young and Freedman</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Young and Freedman is the best, in my opinion. Compact, nice pictures, loads of examples.</p>

<p>Serway talks too much rubbish.</p>

<p>Resnick and Giancoli skim the surface, in my opinion.</p>

<p>No idea about Knight.</p>

3

<p>You'll probably get many answers depending on what each person used when they were studying physics :)</p>

<p>I like Halliday / Resnick / Walker, Fundamentals of Physics Vols 1 and 2 (Wiley).</p>

<p>You can get the previous edition (7th I think) at Amazon in the used & new section for about $12 per volume.</p>

4

<p>I know MIT uses freedman. Even my high school does.</p>

5

<p>The Resnick is good if one can pick up on concepts quickly. If one needs spoon-feeding (like some Calculus texts), not so much.</p>

6

<p>Halliday/Resnick's Fundamentals of Physics (Extended 8th Edition) is THE best Physics textbook out there (especially for self studying). The concepts are well described for someone to pick up quickly and the practice problems are absolutely hilarious and make you want to continue learning the material.</p>

7

<p>Thanks everyone. You've helped to narrow the field for us. Maybe her physics teacher has some of these around as reference so that she can look at them.</p>

8

<p>Halliday/Resnick/Krane (not Walker) is a godly book. Very comprehensive, with challenging exercises. If you're good with calculus, this is book is great. I used it for my freshman honors physics course, and it is really good.</p>