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.

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  1. E

    I Textbook gives the gradient of a scalar as a scalar

    Background: I am currently reading up on homogenization theory. I have a simple conductivity model (image attached). u is a scalar function (such as potential or temperature). The textbook proceeds by giving a series expansion for the gradient of u (image attached). the problem is that the...
  2. sjogosk

    Gyroscope Question - Textbook wording

  3. V

    Solid State Textbook on crystal field theory and degeneracy breaking

    In particular I would like to have a resource for the relation between group theory, crystal field symmetries and breaking of degeneracies of orbitals. I've taken a graduate condensed matter course and graduate quantum mechanics courses. I have some basic knowledge of group theory but can learn...
  4. alexmahone

    Textbook containing the Rankine cycle (Thermodynamics)

    I'm taking an online course that covers the Rankine power cycle, that, unfortunately, isn't mentioned in any of my textbooks. Do you guys have a textbook that covers this cycle? Thanks
  5. newguy220

    Other Best Flimsy Textbooks (paperback books)

    Hello all, I was wondering what are some good textbooks that are flimsy (not hard cover and printed on cheap paper so lightweight) that can be read on the train and the bus easily (the dimensions doesn't matter to me, all that is required is for it to be flimsy). I need such textbooks for...
  6. D

    Quantum Should I Get Both of Dirac's Quantum Mechanics Books?

    Hello, I remembered once hearing of a must-have quantum mechanics book by Paul Dirac. I don't remember if it was his Principles of QM or Lectures on QM. Based on the table of contents, I believe it was the Principles of QM book; however, looking at both I was thinking about getting his Lectures...
  7. Haorong Wu

    Quantum Introductory textbook for cavity quantum electrodynamics

    Hi. I'm having a hard time learning the physical realization of quantum computers. I got stuck with the section of optical cavity quantum eletrodynamics. There are some concepts I am not familiar with. I think I should read some introductory textbooks which cover cavity quantum electrodynamics...
  8. MrsTesla

    Atomic Atomic Physics Textbook Reviews: Best Books & Alternatives

    Hello, Next semester I'll be in my 3rd year of a physics degree in a UK university and I'll have a course on Atomic Physics. The recommended textbooks are: D G C Jones (1997). Atomic Physics. G K Woodgate (1983). Elementary Atomic Structure. Does anyone know if they are good? Are there better...
  9. Tonzzi

    Real Analysis Textbook Recommendation

    Does anyone have a recommendation for a book(s) to use for the self-study of real analysis? I have just finished Apostol Calculus, Vol. 2 and would like to move on to real analysis. I am not sure whether I should continue following Apostol and move on to Apostol mathematical analysis or...
  10. G

    Recommendations for a basic Astronomy textbook

    Summary: Looking for a textbook to bring a high school Physics teacher up to speed on basic astronomy. I've been teaching high school Physics and Chemistry for 18 years. I've been tapped to teach an Astronomy course next year, despite never having taken an actual astronomy course. Given the...
  11. D

    Other Textbooks for tensors and group theory

    Hello, I am an undergraduate who has taken basic linear algebra and ODE. As for physics, I have taken an online edX quantum mechanics course. I am looking at studying some of the necessary math and physics needed for QFT and particle physics. It looks like I need tensors and group theory...
  12. J

    Textbook question: Can I self-study with Velleman's Calculus?

    Summary: CALC BOOK QUESTION Hey I am going to be self studying calc AP BC because my school only offers AB. So I bought from a ton of reddit advice Vellemans Calculus: A rigorous first course, due to the fact where I want a challenge similar to AOPS however more into solving more problems no...
  13. M

    Foundations How to effectively study a mathematics textbook?

    Hello I am looking to find advice on the most optimal and efficient way to properly and deeply study a mathematics textbook, such that I completely understand everything and thus giving me good foundations for future study of more advanced mathematics. However, I want to change my ways of...
  14. S

    Classical Textbook or other resource with comprehensive challenging problems?

    Hi all, can you recommend a textbook or other resource with comprehensive (meaning spanning multiple subjects) and challenging physics problems and also the solutions? I have already worked through Giancoli (no-calculus), Ohanian (calc based) and the two dummies workbooks. I have been working...
  15. SJay16

    Relativity Textbook for "Intro" course in GR

    I was just looking for recommendations for textbooks for an Undergraduate (Senior) Level course in General Relativity. I want to prepare for this "Intro" GR course i'll be taking in January by self-learning what i can beforehand in summer, does anyone have any good, first hand recommendations...
  16. E

    Quantum Textbook recommendations for self-studying QM

    I have a Physics degree, 1970, Durham University, England. I am semi- retired and have been re-studying using a modern text: Sears and Zemansky's University Physics updated by Young & Freedman. This has been brilliant. Plenty examples, questions and answers , ideal for self-study. I want to move...
  17. M

    Classical Which resources should I use to prepare for the F=ma contest and USAPhO?

    What textbook should I go through to be prepared for the F=MA contest and advance to USAPhO? Is Khan Academy AP Physics Enough? I have started HRK Physics but it seems to me to be quite boring, and out of ~50 practice problems at the end of each chapter I would say ~4-5 of them are interesting...
  18. A

    Atomic High School Chemistry Textbook Recommendation

    Can someone please tell me what high school chemistry textbook that studying about octet rule is best for an idiot like me?
  19. S

    Textbook says V=E/w but units don't match

    In my textbook, it is talking about the Hall Effect on a flat conductor with width w carrying a current i in a uniform magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of the strip. It says that this will create a potential difference of V=E/w where E is the induces electric field from the electrons...
  20. M

    Calculus Where can I find detailed answers for Keisler calc textbook?

    Following the advice here https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/self-study-calculus/ I started with "Elementary Calculus – An infinitesimal approach" by Keisler, and it is fine but it only has final answers for half of the problems. I wonder if there are answers for all the problems and also...
  21. M

    Studying Learning calculus with a digital copy of a textbook

    Hi, I'm in 12 grade, and I always was a decent student but recently I became more fascinated by learning and I want to learn some math and physics beyond high school level. One or two weeks ago I started the calculus course on mit ocw (18.01sc) (at session 17 right now, right before lecture 7)...
  22. K

    Chemistry Chemistry textbook for Physicists

    Hello Being a professional physicist(Quantum field theory and HS theory) I'd like to learn chemistry for some reasons. I've already tried to find a nice Chemistry textbook but failed to find physicist friendly one. My last class on chemistry was in high school like 11 years ago already, so my...
  23. Geofleur

    Quantum Thoughts on Albrecht Lindner's A Complete Course on Theoretical Physics?

    Has anyone had experience with Albrecht Lindner's book, A Complete Course on Theoretical Physics? https://www.springer.com/la/book/9783030043599 It looks like it covers a lot of material, and I'm wondering what people here think of it, especially the chapters on quantum theory.
  24. MatthewNITX

    Relativity Suggestions for a Physics Textbook on Special & General Relativity

    Hey my fellow physics-students/physicists. I'd like to ask if you guys could suggest me a textbook/s that sufficient for integrated course of "special" and "general relativity". More precisely, That contain about: Introduction about the birth of relativity and principle, and the transformation...
  25. D

    Textbook Recommendations: Complex Analysis

    Hello, I was interested in learning more about complex analysis. Also, very interested in analytic continuation. Can anyone recommend a good text that focuses on complex analysis. Also, is there a good textbook on number theory that anyone recommends? Thanks! <mentor - edit thread title>>
  26. B

    Textbook for calculus of variations? Hamiltonian mechanics?

    I need to learn about Hamiltonian mechanics involving functional and functional derivative... Also, I need to learn about generalized real and imaginary Hamiltonian... I only learned the basics of Hamiltonian mechanics during undergrad and now those papers I read show very generalized version...
  27. Savian

    Intro Physics Recommendation of a textbook about Introduction to Physics

    Can someone recommend me a textbook about Introduction to Physics (college level)? I would thank a lot.
  28. W

    Other Using Michael Artin's "Algebra" for Group Theory

    Hi all, I have stumbled upon Artin's book "Algebra" and was wondering if I could use it to do some self-study on Group Theory. Some background: I am a physics undergraduate who has some competence in elementary logic, proofs and linear algebra. It seemed to me that ideas related to Group...
  29. S

    Am I looking at the right Physics textbook?

    Hi, I'm a college graduate, and I don't know if or when I'll ever get a graduate degree. But I wanted to try learn and get very knowledgeable in physics on my own at my own pace. Right now I am reading and doing the problems in Physics fundamentals 10th edition by walker, Holliday, and...
  30. MathematicalPhysicist

    Problem 11.1 from Ashcroft and Mermin's textbook

    Homework Statement Let ##\vec{r}## locate a point just within the boundary of a primitive cell ##C_0## and ##\vec{r}'## another point infinitesimally displaced from ##\vec{r}## just outside the same boundary. The continuity equations for ##\psi(\vec{r})## are: $$ (11.37) \lim_{r\to r'}...
  31. 1

    Quantum Textbook for Quantum Computing

    Hello, I am looking for a good textbook to learn quantum computing. My background is that I am a double major in math and computer science, and I pretty much don't know anything about quantum mechanics. I prefer something that is more computer science oriented, like quantum algorithms, rather...
  32. P

    Studying Textbook suggestions for LiDAR/Radar/RF Telemetry

    Previously I made this post, and soon after realized how woefully unprepared I am to approach such a topic. As stated in the post, I think my best use of time would be to gain background knowledge on the topic before attempting a project, but now I think I've found a better focus as to what...
  33. Quantumfied

    What if a modern physics textbook found itself back in time

    Okay guys, I’ve been wondering how different would the world be if something as simple as my calculus based physics textbook found itself back in time around 300 years ago. For the sake of the argument assume some rift opened up and swallowed my book sending it back to the year 1720. Let’s...
  34. Faizan Samad

    Statistical Mechanics And Thermodynamics Textbook.

    This is A very general question. I will be taking physics 112 at Cal (in the future) which is basically stat mech. Almost all professors use Kittel and Kroemer but I’ve heard it’s god awful (I can attest to this having read a little myself). Does anyone know of a secondary textbook that is of...
  35. Mahavir

    Intro Physics Physics textbook with metrology chapters

    Hi everyone, For my intro to Physics class, I'm looking for a resource that has a wide variety of metrology questions that I could use to practice. Does anyone happen to have a good one off the top of their head, please? I could look elsewhere but I'm hoping someone's personal experience can...
  36. YoungPhysicist

    A weird homework that requires everyone to answer

    Homework Statement If the following question is inappropriate,please tell me immediately,and I will delete it.[/B] I got a really weird math homework today:find out questions in math textbooks of other parts of the world look like,specifically,how many percent of: prove questions(questions...
  37. gibberingmouther

    I Subspaces in Axler's Famous Textbook

    Just started working through "Linear Algebra Done Right". There is something I don't understand. Given b ∈ F, then {(x1,x2,x3,x4) ∈ F4 : x3 = 5x4 + b} is a subspace of F4 *if and only if* b=0 I just flat out don't understand why b has to be 0 or even what is the point of bringing this up...
  38. T

    What does “Media Upgrade” mean in Thomas' Calculus textbook?

    What is the difference between: THOMAS' CALCULUS, media UPGRADE (11TH EDITION) [ISBN-13 9780321489876] and THOMAS' CALCULUS (11TH EDITION) [ISBN-13 9780321185587]? could you provide detailed answer please? what does the title-addition "Media Upgrade" mean and what changes does it make on the...
  39. R

    Classical University Physics textbook topics

    Does anyone have the latest University Physics (Young) textbook and know if there is a discussion of "jerk" in it? THanks, JP
  40. YoungPhysicist

    Quantum Introduction to Quantum Chromodynamics: A Textbook

    Is there a good introduction textbook or pdf for quantum chromodynamics?
  41. Frimus

    Astronomy A free Modern Introduction to Astronomy textbook

    Recently I found a real gem for astronomy enthusiasts and junior undergraduate students. It has a plenty of pictures, diagrams, links to other resources and visualizations. You can access this excellent up-to-date Astronomy textbook (cca 1200 pages) for free in web view or PDF. I have included...
  42. J

    Applied Which Maths Textbook is Better for Physics Students?

    Which one is better? Mathematical methods for Physicists by George B. Arfken and Hans J. Weber or Mathematical methods for physics and engineering by K. F. Riley M. P. Hobson and S. J. Bence P.s Is there a solution manual for the 4th edition of Mathematical methods for Physicists by George B...
  43. jamalkoiyess

    Studying How to study an advanced physics textbook effectively?

    Hello PF, This by no means the first time I inquire about the topic. I have read a lot on how to study from textbooks and I have practiced all methods and read extensively. Yet, I have never felt that I truly accomplished my purpose and mastered the given material. The thing is that while...
  44. Mahavir

    Intro Physics Physics textbook with lots of medicine-related examples

    Hello everyone, So, I'm about to start a medical degree and one of the core courses involves Physics with a very heavy focus on medicine-related coursework. There isn't a core textbook as of yet but I'm trying to find a textbook that is primarily focused on the basics of Physics (mostly...
  45. E

    Opinions on I.A. Maron's Mathematical Analysis textbook?

    Anyone completed IA Maron Mathematical Analysis? Anyone like it?
  46. G

    Other List of Books to use for self-study before AP classes

    I plan on taking a multitude of AP classes next year. I would like some books that I should buy for good study.
  47. M

    Can anyone Recommend a good quantum gravity textbook?

    I'm currently doing my thesis in QG and there's a distinct gap between where QFT and GR left off and QG begins, and as I'm sure most of you know, in a thesis you're sort of just thrown right into the deep end. As such, I was hoping someone could recommend a decent textbook that gives a solid...
  48. J

    My E&M textbook claims that fields are a form of matter

    I'm studying out of Classical Electrodynamics by Ohanian and in chapter 2 (Electrostatics) he makes the following claim while discussing the electric field: I'm a little confused by this, and I can't seem to find any sources that share this view. I'm even more confused because in the...
  49. V

    Calculus Best textbook to truly understand single variable calculus?

    I am currently self learning high school level AP Calculus BC over the summer. From a mathematical perspective, I have heard that high school level calculus is just pure and shallow computational work. For this reason, I seek a deeper understanding in calculus. So far, the BC curriculum has been...
  50. MidgetDwarf

    Anyone familiar with this Mathematica textbook?

    I am wondering if any PF member is familiar with this textbook on Mathematica. Mathematica by Example, Fifth Edition, by Martha L.L. Abell. The amazon link is https://www.amazon.com/dp/0128124814/?tag=pfamazon01-20 The course description: MATH 2110 with grade C or better. Introduction to...
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