hey guys, which book should I buy?

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1

<p>Hi, im currently in 12th grade, never took physics during highschool, focused on (chemistry and bio), I was looking for a good book for an absolute beginner, I came across these two, which one do you think is better? </p>

<p>Amazon.com: Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides) (9780471134473): Karl F. Kuhn: Books</p>

<p>or</p>

<p>Amazon.com: Homework Helpers: Physics, Revised Edition (9781601632098): Greg Curran: Books</p>

2

<p>There are some free on-line physics and other textbooks here:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1289172-big-savings-u-s-students-open-source-book-program.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1289172-big-savings-u-s-students-open-source-book-program.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Let me heartily recommend The Physics of Everyday Phenomena. It is a <em>conceptual</em> introduction to physics. It’s most important to understand the concepts. Understanding the math is the easy part, and it’s what most physics books tend to focus on. Only the most basic algebra and perhaps a dab of trig is present in this book, it’s main focus is on teaching concepts.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Physics-Everyday-Phenomena-Thomas-Griffith/dp/0073512117/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331437017&sr=1-2[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/Physics-Everyday-Phenomena-Thomas-Griffith/dp/0073512117/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331437017&sr=1-2&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Now, having said that, there are many concepts in physics that you need to understand mathematically in order to understand conceptually. Understanding the concept of the derivative and rates of change is key. But the above book is where I recommend starting out on.</p>

<p>I also recommend the following:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Toast-Lands-Jelly-Side-Down-Demonstrations/dp/0691028877/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331437171&sr=1-1[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/Toast-Lands-Jelly-Side-Down-Demonstrations/dp/0691028877/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331437171&sr=1-1&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Mad-About-Physics-Braintwisters-Curiosities/dp/0471569615/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331437212&sr=1-6[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/Mad-About-Physics-Braintwisters-Curiosities/dp/0471569615/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331437212&sr=1-6&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Any sort of book that contains real-world “what-if” scenarios about physics are helpful in building an intuitive understanding of concepts.</p>

4

<p>I suggest MIT OCW. Chances are, Dr. Walter Lewin will teach you better than your teacher can…</p>