<p>I have access to a local college library, and I've put a hold on quite a few resources. My goals are to build a solid base in physics, enough to easily get me a 5 on the APs and (MORE IMPORTANTLY) help me do well in USAPhO (semifinals). Here's what I have access to over the summer and throughout next year: </p>
<p>1) Feynman Lectures on Physics
The</a> Feynman Lectures on Physics including Feynman's Tips on Physics: The Definitive and Extended Edition: Richard P. Feynman, Robert B. Leighton, Matthew Sands: 9780805390452: Amazon.com: Books</p>
<p>2) Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick, Walker
Fundamentals</a> of Physics: David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker: 9780470469118: Amazon.com: Books</p>
<p>3) Phyiscs by Halliday, Resnick, Krane (2 vol.s)
Amazon.com:</a> Physics, Volume 2 (9780471401940): David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Kenneth S. Krane: Books</p>
<p>4) Physics for Students of Science and Engineering by Resnick (pub. 1960)
Physics</a> for Students of Science and Engineering. Combined Edition (Pt.1): Robert Resnick, David Halliday: 9780471717096: Amazon.com: Books</p>
<p>5) University Physics by Young, Freedman
Amazon.com:</a> University Physics with Modern Physics with MasteringPhysics (12th Edition) (9780805321876): Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman, Lewis Ford: Books</p>
<p>6) Physics by Example: 200 problems and solutions by Rees
Amazon.com:</a> Physics by Example: 200 Problems and Solutions (9780521449755): W. G. Rees: Books</p>
<p>Yeah, this is a lot of paper. What resources are the best? What resources do I need to do well in USAPhO and, ultimately, AP Physics C (self-study)?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>From what I’ve seen, the consensus is that Feynman lectures are excellent so I suggest you use it. I have halliday fundamental of physics and it is quite a readable textbook but it does dive directly into calculus based physics but I personally enjoy the book. All of the other textbooks listed are about equal difficulty I believe. Also since physics is very practice-based, you of course should use the problem book as well as try all the difficult questions in all of the textbooks you have if time allows. (Most physics textbooks rank practice questions by difficulty, do the most difficult ones since they’ll be most relevant/helpful to USAPhO)</p>
<p>Good luck on your studies! Also if you advance, then I’ve heard that some modern physics knowledge is required.</p>
<p>The Halliday and Resnick books and their updates and variants are typical textbooks for university physics for physics and engineering majors.</p>
<p>There are also some more difficult textbooks like these:
[Amazon.com:</a> An Introduction to Mechanics (9780521198219): Daniel Kleppner, Robert J. Kolenkow: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Mechanics-Daniel-Kleppner/dp/0521198216]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Mechanics-Daniel-Kleppner/dp/0521198216)
[Amazon.com:</a> Electricity and Magnetism (9781107014022): Edward M. Purcell, David J. Morin: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Electricity-Magnetism-Edward-M-Purcell/dp/1107014026]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Electricity-Magnetism-Edward-M-Purcell/dp/1107014026)</p>
<p>There are some free books here:
<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</a> (post #4)</p>
<p>For electricity and magnetism, you likely need multivariable calculus and differential equations. See post #3 of the above link for some free books on those topics.</p>
<p>I don’t see how the Feynman lectures are going to much use to you in preparing for AP physics C. Granted they are a great resource, but most of it would probably be far above your level at this point. There is no reason to get both Halliday and Young. Both are great resource books, so just stick to one. I personally prefer Halliday over Young. Halliday along with lots of practice from the text problems + old ap problems on the net should be more than sufficient for physics.</p>
<p>On the AP you don’t need to know multivariable calculus or differential equations. You can get away with simple separation of variables as far as differential equations are concerned. A vague understanding of partial derivatives will suffice as far as calc III is concerned.</p>
<p>Resnick halliday is good enough. Do previous years released papers. If you really want a challenge try I E Irodov but the level of questions on it will be way above Physics C.</p>
<p>Does it help to learn MV Calculus and Diffy q for USAPHO at all? I’m planning on taking those courses at a local college.</p>
<p>Physics, and particularly the USAPhO, are really my thing, so I hope you don’t mind me posting now.</p>
<p>For AP Physics C, all you need is Halliday/Resnick/Walker. Do Chapters 1-15 and 21-32, (inclusive) and you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>More importantly, we have the USAPhO semifinals. </p>
<p>You’re missing the three best resources for USAPhO preparation:</p>
<p>1) An Introduction to Mechanics by Daniel Kleppner (this textbook is godly, every single problem* is USAPhO difficulty or higher)
2) Electricity and Magnetism by Purcell
3) Irodov’s Problems</p>
<p>These will prepare you thoroughly for mechanics (including relativistic mechanics) and electromagnetism. USAPhO thermodynamics problems are very easy, and Halliday + Irodov will suffice.</p>
<p>(I’m too lazy to put in links, just search for them on Amazon). </p>
<p>The books you listed are all relatively useless for the USAPhO, especially the Feynman lectures, considering that they give you little or no experience in solving challenging problems. </p>
<p>Knowledge of vector calculus definitely helps. It’s good to know more about differential equations than what’s covered at the high school level, and they occasionally crop up on the exam (2012 B1 for example); it’s not mandatory though.</p>
<p>*This was a slight exaggeration; the truth is that there are typically ~3 easy problems at the beginning of each exercise.</p>
<p>Edit: It appears UCBAlumnus beat me to those texts. :(</p>