Textbook Definition and 998 Threads

A textbook is a book containing a comprehensive compilation of content in a branch of study with the intention of explaining it. Textbook are produced to meet the needs of educators, usually at educational institutions. Schoolbooks are textbooks and other books used in schools. Today, many textbooks are published in both print and digital formats.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. P

    Classical Trying to pinpoint the name of an old mechanics textbook

    I am trying to find a series of books that was very helpful for me during first year university. The first in the series is a Mechanics textbook. There are at least two others, one that introduces quantum mechanics. These books are known to be much more difficult that the usual Sears & Semanski...
  2. S

    Engineering Please help me make sense of this question in plumbing textbook

    TL;DR Summary: I need to make sense of this question: What was the distance from the line-of-sight of the builder's level to the outlet end of the first 10' length of pipe? I am enrolled in an online course in plumbing at Stratford Career Institute. At the end of each chapter in my plumbing...
  3. M

    Sell Boer, Survey of Semiconductor Physics

    Unbelievably complete work (1438 pages!) covering all aspects of p-n junctions, metal-semiconductor contacts, phonon and photon interactions, and the operation of common semiconductor devices from diodes and LEDs to solar cells to transistors and MOSFETs. Hardcover book with flawless dust...
  4. M

    Sell Lawden, Elliptic Functions and Applications

    Hardcover. Wonderful textbook, still in print and available for $169.99, covers all aspects of elliptic functions with many physical examples. No markings except for a small name stamp on the flyleaf. Color on spine has faded. Table of Contents 1 Theta Functions.- 2 Jacobi’s Elliptic Functions.-...
  5. J

    Astrophysics Best textbook on plasma physics

    I have an unusual situation because my course is too restrictive: I need to take a module called 'Solar magnetohydrodynamics' in the 4th year. For that module, I was told it would be 'benefitial' to also take a module called 'Plasma physics and fusion' this year. This particular module last...
  6. J

    Quantum Identifying old quantum mechanics text book

    Hello everyone, I'm trying to recall the title and author of a quantum mechanics textbook I read many years ago, likely a couple of decades or more. My local library had what I thought was a very good quantum mechanics book, which I worked through during the summer holidays after completing my...
  7. SummeryWinter

    Atomic "Atomic Spectra and Atomic Structure" by Gerhard Herzberg

    I just wanted to know if this book has clear exposition, if it's any good and what are the prerequisites for it. Also, I don't think it's can be a primary resource so I just wanna know how good it really is in terms of supplementary material and just in general as a dover book. Also, I wanna...
  8. Heisenberg7

    Calculus What Is the Best Calculus Book for Self-Learners?

    Hello, I would like to start off my saying how much Calculus I have done so far. I am familiar with the idea of limits, derivatives and integrals (though I do have some holes in my knowledge). So far, I have only done Calculus I. I was introduced to some ideas of Calculus II, but those were...
  9. Quantum55151

    Classical What are the best intermediate Newtonian mechanics textbooks?

    I am currently looking for a good textbook on Newtonian mechanics but am unable to find anything that suits my specific needs. I have already done an advanced high school mechanics course and would like to take a more sophisticated look at the subject over the summer, in preparation for a course...
  10. B

    Textbook 'The Physics of Waves': Derive Complex Solution Form for SHM

    TL;DR Summary: Question on deriving the complex irreducible solution form for simple harmonic motions based on time translation invariant. Reference textbook “The Physics of Waves” in MIT website: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/8-03sc-...es-fall-2016/resources/mit8_03scf16_textbook/ Chapter 1 -...
  11. M

    Missing negative sign in my textbook's answer?

    the question is fairly easy to solve, integrating ##NiAB sin(\theta)## from ##\pi## to 0 or just do ##-NiAB(cos(0) - cos(\pi))## which gives you -2NiAB, but my textbook did not include the negative sign, is it mistaken?
  12. M

    Did my textbook make a mistake when writing these units?

    Sorry if there are mistakes regarding the post itself, this is my first time posting. This an easy problem to solve, but this isn't what I'm looking for, but first of all, you can plug in the values and solve for ##\omega##, and it equals ##\frac{170 V}{0.87 T(0.0300 m^2)}## = 6513 Hz, my...
  13. M

    High Energy Possible typo in Peskin & Schroeder's QFT Textbook (p. 666)?

    Hi everyone! I'm going through Peskin & Schroeder's Chapter 19 (Perturbation Theory Anomalies) and it seems to be that equation 19.74 in page 666 has a minus sign missing on the RHS. Namely, I think the correct equation should read \begin{align} (i\not\!\! D)^2 = -D^2 -...
  14. E

    Other I need a biology textbook and learning materials

    TL;DR Summary: biology book The picture below is aa list of topics I need to complete before the end of may, please does anyone know the best free pdf for shs/secondary school biology, thanks very much.
  15. billtodd

    Relativity Introduction to Special Relativity by Wolfgang Rindler

    I used in another username to ask questions from this book, its second edition. I made a google search and didn't find any instructor's SM for the second edition, but it seems numerade website has complete solutions for questions from its first edition. Did he add more problems to the second...
  16. A

    Good Book(s) to Refresh Physics I & II?

    I have a handful of eBooks, but trying to figure out what one(s) would be best to refresh myself on Physics I and II. I see Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday & Resnick in my collection, and from what I remember, it's one of the better ones, right? Also, assuming that's the case, it looks...
  17. S

    Classical Help with identifying the textbook

    Recently I stumbled upon this topic - https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/simple-harmonic-motion-total-energy.736484/ and want to find out what textbook is in the photo. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
  18. heroslayer99

    Is my textbook wrong about absolute uncertainties?

    First off, I will set out what I think I know so that any misconceptions of mine can be put right. Definitions: Precision: a quality denoting the closeness of agreement between (consistency, low variability of) measured values obtained by repeated measurements Accuracy: A quality denoting the...
  19. TGV320

    Linear Algebra How hard is this Linear Algebra textbook?

    Hello, I am currently self studying Linear Algebra using MIT lectures and the textbook Introduction to Linear Algebra by professor Gilbert Strang. I'm at the 16th lecture on Projection Matrices and Least squares approximation. The lectures are very informative, but I struggle a lot with...
  20. M

    Understanding Inductance and Induced EMF in Simple Circuits

    (a) ##\displaystyle\mathcal E=-L\frac{di}{dt}## = -0.260 x -0.0180 = 0.00468 V = 4.68 mV (b) Current always flows from higher potential to lower potential. So, b is at a higher potential. My textbook says that my answer for part (a) is correct but part (b) is wrong. Please help!
  21. M

    Good textbook(s) for self-studying Quantum Physics

    Could you please suggest a good textbook for self-studying quantum mechanics? Not something too advanced. I have a math degree, so I'm not averse to equations.
  22. TheePhysicsStudent

    Need help on some mechanics questions from a text book

    These are the questions I am failing to comprehend despite their very basic nature This is the wonderful support from the book explaining how to get the answer ! (It just gives you the answer no working out which is annoying) I
  23. J

    Quantum Quantum mechanics textbook for 2nd year student

    I desperately need a good resource for quantum mechanics. This semester, our lectures have been absolutely terrible. Though I managed to avoid this by studying hard, the lectures and notes were so critically inadequate that most students (not including me) used ChatGPT to complete any online...
  24. gleem

    I Wish to Give Away a Textbook Set on The Calculus

    I have a two volume set of Differential and Integral Calculus textbooks by a well-known mathematician, his second edition (1959 printing) the last of twenty printings. This set was recommended by one of my math professors. Although it was my intention to read them it was not to be. Below is a...
  25. S

    Looking for References on Single Phase Generators

    I am looking for a textbook or reference book that discusses single phase generators. All I can find are books that discuss three phase generators. Any suggestions?
  26. J

    Classical What Lagrangian mechanics textbook should I use?

    I am currently taking a course on introductory Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics in year 2 in the UK. I find the material easy but do not have access to a resource with a satisfying amount of problems. Despite being (in)directly told this resource is not useful at my level, I have Landau...
  27. MatinSAR

    Classical Classical Dynamics Book for Self-Study.

    Hello. Can someone guide me in choosing the right book? My choice was Marion's book, but I did not understand some topics well ...
  28. shivajikobardan

    I finished a 50 hr C++ course, what next?

    I am still not confident with C++ I don't think I should yet go to Data Structures and Algorithms yet because I am not very comfortable with C++. I want a book that covers problems that require Object Oriented Programming to solve problems. It should have lots of such exercises. Is there such a...
  29. Slimy0233

    Solid State Should I buy Kittel's Introduction to Solid State Physics?

    I want to know your opinion on whether I should buy Kittlel's Introduction to Solid State Physics or some other book to study Solid State Physics. I was going through the solutions manual for the book and I realized that it had only 72 questions in it. I was wondering if it was enough to get a...
  30. N

    Other Which Springer books to buy? (QM, GR and statistical mechanics)

    Hello, Springer books are on sale this week so I wanted to buy some textbooks to support my studies and (eventual) future career. I'm an undergrad (in europe) and my courses next year will be QM, GR and statistical mechanics, so I was looking for books about these topics, but any suggestion on...
  31. Theia

    Geometry Looking for a good book about trigonometry

    Hi all! I've never been studied the identities and such of secant, cosecant and cotangent. Yet I think, it would be useful to have them in my toolbox. Thus I'm asking, if anyone would know a reasonable book or other kind of material (paper or pdf) about trigonometry that has brief theory...
  32. J

    Number Theory Modular Forms: A Textbook for University Physics Students

    I'm studying physics at university, but there has always been one subject in pure maths which always interested me- that is modular forms. Is there an 'accessible' textbook on this topic? Can anyone recommend one? Is the GTM Springer 'A first course in modular forms' any good?
  33. M

    Algebra Algebra 2 textbook recommendations please

    I am currently learning some maths from “Precalculus by James Stewart”. I was wondering if that’s ok? Is it ok to just dive straight into it or go back and brush up my algebra 2 ? I was wondering what are some good textbooks on algebra 2 by the way? Thank you. (This is all for the love of physics).
  34. Muu9

    Quantum Trying to remember an unusual quantum textbook

    Not sure whether it was a quantum physics, quantum information, or quantum computing textbook It spent the first few chapters/sections developing some sort of model theory in a very elementary context, in which (multi)functions were represented as boxes and outputs/inputs were represented as...
  35. J

    Relativity Recommended general relativity textbook

    Hi, I am looking to study general relativity at my own steam (currently finishing 1st year physics at Warwick) during the summer. What textbook(s) would you recommend? I've heard good things about A. Zee's 'Einstein Gravity in a Nutshell'- is that worth it, and would it be suitable for someone...
  36. mcastillo356

    B Looking for context for a textbook quote

    Hi, PF, there goes the quote from Calculus 7th ed. by Robert A. Adams and Christopher Essex: "When adding finitely many numbers, the order in which they are added is unimportant; any order will give the same sum. If all the numbers have a common factor, then that factor can be removed from each...
  37. Muu9

    Intro Physics Physics textbook recommendation for young gifted child

    They've gone through calculus (Essential Calculus by Stewart) but haven't had a formal physics class yet (but a lot of pop-physics reading). I recommended Thinking Physics followed by Conceptual Physics by Hewitt, followed by a meaty calc-based book like Krane or YF, but I wonder if an easy...
  38. N

    Unclear differential equation from a thermodynamics textbook

    In the thermodynamics textbook there is written: 𝛿𝐴 = 𝑇𝑑𝑆 − 𝑑𝑈 = 𝑑(𝑇𝑆) − 𝑆𝑑𝑇 − 𝑑𝑈 = −𝑑(𝑈 − 𝑇𝑆) − 𝑆𝑑𝑇 = −𝑑𝐹 − 𝑆𝑑𝑇 How did we get the bolded area from TdS? Is that property of derivative, integral, or something else :/
  39. XcgsdV

    Other Is it worth doing EVERY problem in a textbook?

    I am a freshman Physics major currently working through Apostol's Calculus Volume 1 in my free time, somewhat to further develop my calculus knowledge, but mainly for fun. Apostol's text is proof-based, and as such has a number of problems that are just proofs. As a hopeful future Biophysicist...
  40. M

    Other Meteorology/Atmospheric Physics Textbook for Physics Undergrad Seniors

    Hi! I am looking for a (recent - about 2020 or sooner but anything is welcome) meteorology textbook that actually explains things in detail. I am specifically interested in tornadoes like everyone else, but I have a solid physics background and want to actually learn about them. Does anyone know...
  41. B

    A Why is Tau-AB^2 not t^2 + x^2?

    why is Tau-AB^2 equal to t^2 - x^2 ?It seems it should be t^2 + x^2 according to the geometry of the diagram...
  42. DTMsurf

    Nuclear Energy reading material

    Summary: I am looking for suggestions on an informative read surrounding nuclear energy I am a junior year physics student at UCSB looking to go to grad school for nuclear physics and eventually work with nuclear energy. My curriculum at UCSB does not offer any explicit classes surrounding...
  43. C

    Engineering Thin Film Interfaces Textbook Needed

    Summary: TL;DNR Looking for a recently published comprehensive textbook on thin film interfaces I am in the market for a comprehensive textbook on thin film interfaces that is available for a cheap price. I found Interfaces in Crystalline Materials by A.P. Sutton and R.W. Balluffi but the most...
  44. C

    Incorrect Textbook Answer involving kinematics?

    vf=0 km/hr vi = 100 km/hr x = 80,000 km vf2 = vi2+2ax 0 = 100^2 + 2a(80,000) 160,000a = -10000 a = -0.0625 km/hr^2 This is off by 1,000,000 times from the textbook answer. Am I missing something with units or something or is the book wrong?
  45. Ahmed1029

    Quantum Nolting quantum mechnaics textbook

    I'm curious what you guys think of the Nolting undergraduate physics series, particularly his 2 books on quantum mechanics? Are they sufficient? Are there any errors in them?
  46. murshid_islam

    What would be a good book for learning Linear Algebra by myself?

    Summary: What would be a good book for learning Linear Algebra by myself in my situation (which is explained in my post below)? I did an undergraduate Linear Algebra course about 18 years ago. The textbook we used was Howard Anton’s “Elementary Linear Algebra”. The problem is that I never...
  47. strangerep

    A Interactive Galactic Dynamics Textbook -- Bovy 2022

    Since no one seems to have mentioned this yet... For anyone interested in graduate-level study galactic dynamics, Jo Bovy (Assoc Prof in the Astrophysics Dept at U. Toronto) is in the process of constructing an interactive textbook on the subject, which you can check out at galaxiesbook.org...
  48. Orodruin

    Relativity Exploring Relativity and Field Theory in Intermediate Level Textbook

    I am reshaping my course on special relativity (master level intermediate relativity course, I am getting it back after having the GR course instead for a number of years) and I find myself wanting to include two things: - A more geometrical approach to Minkowski space. - Basic classical...
  49. C

    Quantum Discover the Best Lightweight QFT Introductions for Self-Study

    I was a denizen of this forum some 15 years ago during undergrad. However I since joined the dark side working in software on ML, AI, and distributed data processing. Every now and then I pick up a physics textbook to get into the weeds of a topic I would have missed due to skipping out on grad...
  50. TGV320

    Classical Looking for introductory level physics textbook

    Hello, I am currently preparing to learn the 8.01 course "Physics I" via the MIT OCW and I am trying to find an adequate textbook for that purpose. In the three courses that I have found, the first two use: Young, H. D., and R. A. Freedman. University Physics. which is quite expensive in my...
Back
Top