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. FourEyedRaven

    Quantum What's wrong with the Messiah "Quantum Mechanics" textbook?

    Hi. I bought Messiah's "Quantum Mechanics" because it was at an excelent price from Dover. But, even though it was considered a Bible of quantum mechanics until recently, people consider it outdated now. Is it no longer comprehensive? I intend to read on relativistic quantum mechanics and...
  2. H

    Quantum QED textbook that covers QED cavity and Purcell effect

    Dear all, I am looking for an introductory QED textbook (or quantum optics if not) that also covers QED cavity and Purcell effect in one of its chapters. I am not planning to extensively understand every single detail about QED cavity and Purcell effect since I am not a physicist and I don't...
  3. gibberingmouther

    Foundations Have You Explored Analytical Combinatorics?

    The book is called "Analytical Combinatorics". I have read a description of some of its subject matter and it sounds super interesting. Here is the pdf: http://algo.inria.fr/flajolet/Publications/book.pdf It sounds really interesting but I don't think I'll have the time to read the whole...
  4. StoneTemplePython

    I A question I have about my L.A. textbook (2)

    your second question seems like an excellent introduction to Vandermonde Matrices. I wouldn't recommend solving this 5x5 matrix by hand. With some cleverness you can get it down to a 4x4 matrix but still a lot of work to do by hand. A good computer exercise. It would be worth learning to...
  5. gibberingmouther

    I Two Questions I Have About My L.A. Textbook

    My first question is about a formula for the y intercept of a linear equation, given you know two points that the line goes through. I Googled but no luck - it's hard to type a formula into Google. The formula is: b = (y1*x2 - y2*x1)/(x2 - x1) The textbook author left this as an "exercise"...
  6. T dawg

    Studying Can self-studying be fulfilling and effective?

    I'm about to transfer from a community college over to a university this semester for physics. I've completed all lower division physics and math courses and of course, I missed the deadline to apply for vast majority of physics related internships I could get. Add to that the fact that there...
  7. Z

    Derivation of the energy principle from Gregory Classical Mechanics textbook

    I'm working through Gregory's Classical Mechanics and came across his derivation of energy conservation for a system of N particles that is unconstrained. We get to assume all the external forces are conservative, so we can write them as the gradient of a potential energy. There's a step he...
  8. stevencarlover

    Induced Current Problem from the professor not in our textbook

    Homework Statement A long straight solenoid of cross-sectional area 400 cm^2 is wound with 10 turns of wire per centimeter, and the winding carry a current in the direction shown (downward). A small ring of radius 5.00 cm and resistance 0.300 ohms is placed at the center of the solenoid. If the...
  9. Phylosopher

    Foundations Logic in philosophy and mathematics Textbook

    Hello,Lately, I have been interested in philosophy and in particular the branches of philosophy where there is a tie with mathematics and physics. From this point, I think the best branch to start studying would be the most robust one for scientists. i.e Logic. But I am having a problem finding...
  10. isukatphysics69

    Need help following my textbook (series)

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I am not following what is going on here, how are they getting that part that is circled. i am just completely lost here
  11. Mohrcircle

    Where to find answers for "Mechanical Vibration" textbook (Haym Baneroya)?

    I really liked this book but the problems don't have answers at all (not even numerical one's at the back of the book). There is not even a solution manual to download or buy online. How am I supposed to use this book otherwise?
  12. Greg Bernhardt

    Insights Ask the Advisors: What's Your Most Memorable Textbook? - Comments

    Greg Bernhardt submitted a new PF Insights post Ask the Advisors: What's Your Most Memorable Textbook? Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
  13. G

    Analysis Is this a good textbook to learn proofs?

    Hey guys, I was wondering if this textbook is good. I've seen the reviews and it has high stars. I want to learn proofs so I self-study and make my way to finally learning real analysis. I'm a chemistry major with a concentration in Math and economics. My plan was to do a double major in math...
  14. P

    Engineering Textbook about motor control/field oriented control methods

    Hi guys I was wondering if anyone had a good recommendation on a textbook to pick up on field oriented control, motor control, 3 phase control or modern motor control in general. Looking for a professional level text. I already have Electric Machinery Fundamentals by Chapman but looking for...
  15. R

    Textbook Recommendations for Solar Astrophysics

    I am seeking an undergraduate and graduate text for solar astronomy and astrophysics. By solar, I mean the Sun. Quantatative, too. Recommendations and testimonials appreicated. Thank you,.
  16. B

    Studying How to make the move from textbook to homework?

    Hey, I am a physics major and a new semester is about to begin. I think my biggest problem study wise is that I would go over the lecture notes and sometimes the textbook too, yet always feel ill equipped to tackle the homework problems. Currently my strategy is to go over the text...
  17. Thinkaholic

    Other Looking for a Detailed and Rigorous Combinatorics Textbook

    Hello! I’m teaching myself mathematics and physics, and I’m looking for a clear, rigorous book on combinatorics. The reason being is that past books I’ve read that included some combinatorics were difficult to understand (for example, my first encounter with the subject was in a precalculus...
  18. M

    Other How to catch up in physics again after years of being out?

    I just got a taught Master offer in Physics (part-time mode for 2 years) and I don't know what to do... First of all, I have a BSc in Applied Physics which I graduated in 2011. I study Physics because it is interesting. I felt happy when I got to understand something new (about the universe)...
  19. M

    Geometry Textbook recommendations on geometry & topology

    Hello fellows My background is architecture (bachelor in2016) but for unknown reasons I’ve been fascinated by geometry since last year. it was roughly at the stage where I was trying to grasp ‘the truth ‘ of architecture and somehow got into geometry... happy coincidence. Since I hadn’t...
  20. Gene Naden

    Classical Looking for a textbook of undergrad E&M, for Physics Forum Help that I give

    I sometimes post answers to threads people post about E&M. Unfortunately, my Masters in physics was 40 years ago and I am a little rusty. I am looking for something that will help me answer people's questions. The level of math can be fairly sophisticated as I have brushed up a bit.
  21. B

    Does U=qV or -qV? I notice my textbook uses qV but

    Hi I have a question about electric potential! Since the negative sign isn't used in U=qV, and a-b is used for subscripts, then that takes care of the negative. But what about using U=-qV? An online lecturer uses U=-qV, while my textbook uses U=qV and then uses -qV to explain the force used to...
  22. D

    Astrophysics Looking for an Astrophysics Textbook

    Currently a fourth year undergraduate student and haven’t had the opportunity to take any Astrophysics courses. In September I am starting a master’s degree in Physics but with an Astrophysics research project. I am told it is fairly easy to learn all the Astrophysics stuff in the first few...
  23. F

    What Is the Origin of This Unexplained Formula in My Textbook?

    I am seeing this formula in a textbook, unexplained. Can someone tell me the origin, the book just says it is an identity. $$Re(Ee^{jwt})=\frac{1}{2}(Ee^{jwt}+E^*e^{-jwt})$$ The book doesn't explain what ##E^*## is, it just lists the formula. Re = real, as in take the real part. E is the...
  24. CMJ96

    Calculus Where Can I Find the Best Resources for Learning Variational Methods?

    Hi guys I've recently started a module called variational methods, here is the module summary. Is there any resources you guys can recommend to help me learn all the relevant info for this module? Thanks in advance
  25. Eric Espinoza

    Self Taught Student Seeks Professional Advice

    Hello everyone, This is my first post and I would like to briefly introduce myself and my situation. I'm 27 years old and a high school drop out, former drug addict, and three time college drop out. I have severe ADHD and insecurities which have made academia too difficult for me to pursue. I...
  26. Jayalk97

    Textbook recommendations on semiconductor fabrication?

    Hey friends, taking a class on semiconductor fabrication and my professor both can't teach and doesn't use a textbook. I'm going to take it upon myself to learn the material independently, so can anyone recommend a good textbook on the subject? Thanks in advance!
  27. M

    How to Use AOPS Books for Self-Learning: Tips and Recommendations

    Hi, I just acquired the art of problem solving prealgebra book. So I would like to ask, how does one use the AOPS books, are they meant to be supplementary to a full textbook? Or are they used for introducing new concepts that you would have leant in a textbook etc. I am hoping to use the AOPS...
  28. A

    Classical Textbook for Classical Mechanics

    I am self studying Classical Mechanics and I am a bit confused about this. After reading Kleppner Kolenkow Mechanics can I read Symon's Mechanics or do I need to read anything in between like Fowels or Marion&Thornton? I already studied the Maths portion upto Multivariable Calculus,Real...
  29. Delta31415

    Calculus *BEST* Calculus 3 Textbook for self study

    Hello, currently I am a high school senior who will be going to college in the fall and since my school ends in may and college starts in mid-August. I am planning on self-studying calculus 3, so I can test out of it and go straight into partial differential equations. The textbooks that the...
  30. J

    Other Finding Reading Notes for Textbooks

    Often when I read a chapter in a textbook and don't understand something, I find "reading notes" by other students extremely helpful. Oftentimes in these notes other readers have simply written down summaries of the sections in their own words. These descriptions of the "same thing" in...
  31. Orodruin

    Insights The Birth of a Textbook - Comments

    Greg Bernhardt submitted a new PF Insights post The Birth of a Textbook Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
  32. E

    Is the textbook wrong or am I? (circuit with resistors, switches and a battery)

    Homework Statement This circuit is given:[/B] Each resistor has a resistance of 30Ω, and the electrive force is 28V. Now we shut S1, and the voltmeter displays a value lower by 10% from the previous one. What is the internal resistance of the voltage source? What is the voltage between the...
  33. DeathbyGreen

    Trouble with Peskin QFT textbook

    I'm trying to work through a scattering calculation in the Peskin QFT textbook in chapter 5, specifically getting equation 5.10. They take two bracketed terms 4[p'^{\mu}p^{\nu}+p'^{\nu}p^{\mu}-g^{\mu\nu}(p \cdot p'+m_e^2)] and 4[k_{\mu}k'_{\nu}+k_{\nu}k'_{\mu}-g_{\mu\nu}(k \cdot...
  34. B

    Physics of a chemical reaction: looking for textbook recs

    I'm currently doing a literature review on ultracold chemistry with an emphasis on collisional theory and quantum phenomena. I'm an undergraduate physics major, and I'd start my discussion of this topic by moving from basic Newtonian conservation laws and concepts like Coulomb repulsion to the...
  35. A

    Calculus Feynman's High School Calculus Book

    Hi everybody. I enjoy looking at other people's handwritten notebooks, as well as what textbooks they learned math and physics from. This evening I came across this article about how Feynman learned calculus in high school by studying Calculus for the Practical Man by Thompson. He kept very...
  36. M

    Best Algebra TextBook For Self Learner?

    Hi there, I have been searching multiple websites and forums but have not found a cohesive answer to my queries. I am currently going through this textbook to learn pre-algebra: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0618250034/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Also, is this a good book to be studying as an autodidact...
  37. A

    MHB Problem 13 from section 16.1 of Taylor's PDE textbook.

    I was given as a task to solve this question by my teacher (heck if I had the time I would have solved every problem in both Taylor's and Evans's books on PDE); but didn't succeed to the teacher's satisfaction. In the following link there's a presentation of the problem, and in the attachment...
  38. wirefree

    Best Textbook on Electromagnetics

    G'day, I am here to seek advice on a textbook for my second-year undergraduate course in electromagnatic field theory. My concern with the recommended textbook is that it isn't easy to read. Any author that proceeds through a proof by simply stating "Next, taking the curl of..." doesn't offer...
  39. M

    Intro Physics Textbook recommendations for calculus based physics course

    Hello! So I need some textbook recommendations for calculus based physics course. I have taken an algebra/ trigonometry physics course last semester, but now I'm taking a calculus based. I have a textbook which the professor told us will follow our course. The book is Fundamentals of Physics...
  40. V

    Other Finding the Perfect Machine Learning Textbook for a Physics BSc

    Hello, recently I've become interested in learning more about machine learning, and am looking for a good textbook to study from. My background: Finished most of the required courses for my physics BSc and the related math courses. Some relevant courses I have taken: Linear Algebra Calculus...
  41. K

    Exercise from Supergravity textbook

    Homework Statement In Ex. 2.4 from textbook Supergravity by Freedman and Van Proeyen one needs to prove the following identity $$ A^\dagger \sigma_\mu A=\sigma_\nu \Lambda^\nu{}_\mu $$ Homework Equations It is easy to prove the other identity in this exercise $$ A\bar{\sigma}_\mu...
  42. Tspirit

    Quantum Textbook for density matrix and trace?

    I want a QM textbook which introduces detail knowledge of density matrix and trace (i.e. the average), who can recommend one for me? Thank you.
  43. M

    Graduate level two phase flow boiling textbook

    I am looking for a graduate level textbook that would sufficiently describe the two phase flow characteristics during flow boiling. What textbook could I use to explore this topic? Is a graduate level forced convection going to cover two phase flow?
  44. Useful nucleus

    Textbook problems in my class .... to cite or not to cite

    This is my first time to be an instructor for a class and I have to prepare problem sets for my students. For that purpose, I collect problems from different textbooks. Unfortunately, if I cite the source of each problem, students always find the solution manual of this textbook online and...
  45. Jianphys17

    Better textbook for analytical mechanics

    Hi at all. According to you which of the two texts, between Landau-Lifshitz (mechanics) and the Goldberg (classical mech) is better for study Analytical Mech ? Or there are other better ones ?
  46. J

    Other What's the Best Physics Textbook for a Gap Year Review?

    Hi, I've just finished A Level Physics, and after a gap year I'm headed to do Physics at Exeter. I'm looking for a textbook or online course or something that has lots of A Level and (maybe slightly higher) Physics questions that I can work through over the course of this year. Does anyone have...
  47. NFuller

    Strangest thing you have read in a textbook

    What are the most poorly worded sentences or oddest figures that you have come across in a textbook? It could be something in the general text or in the practice problems. Please cite the book if you can so others can find it!
  48. W

    Quantum Solutions Manual: Bransden's QM 2nd ed?

    Hi all, does anyone know if Bransden's book has a solutions manual out there somewhere? I would loathe to go through the chapters before realising that I can't find solutions to its exercises. If not, are there QM texts out there with a similar scope to this book that do have solutions manuals...
  49. Q

    Question about area between curves (integral calc textbook q

    hi please refer to the inline image: What do the stars mean? I can't find a reference or definition elsewhere in my textbook...
  50. Z

    Calculus Please recommend a textbook containing a rigorous proof of ....

    This is excerpted from George E. Hay's "Vector and Tensor Analysis". The author gives the statement that the limit is equal to 1 without any explanation, perhaps because he thinks it does not belong to the contents of vector analysis. I can see it intuitively, but I want a rigorous mathematical...
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