Looking for Textbook Recommendation

[ryants]

Hello all,

Purely out of interest, I considered taking a general physics course at my local university. However, I don't really want to spend the money on a course. So, I'm looking for a recommendation for a good college general physics textbook to study on my own (I presume that I will need an instructors' edition in order to confirm my answers to any exercises).

Also, I guess I'm hoping to buy an older edition so as to avoid paying too much. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Many thanks.

Ryan

 

[Fightfish]

For just general physics purposes, I guess Young & Freedman, or Halliday & Resnick, would suffice.

 

[charng]

I understand your interest in studying general physics on your own. It is always beneficial to have a strong understanding of the fundamental principles of physics, and a good textbook can be a valuable resource in this pursuit. I would recommend looking for a textbook that is widely used and recognized in the academic community, as this will ensure that it covers all the necessary topics and provides accurate information. Some popular options include "Fundamentals of Physics" by Halliday and Resnick, "University Physics" by Young and Freedman, and "Physics for Scientists and Engineers" by Serway and Jewett.

In terms of cost, purchasing an older edition may be a more affordable option, but it is important to ensure that the content is still up-to-date and relevant. You may want to check with the university or local library to see if they have any textbooks available for borrowing or purchasing at a lower cost. Additionally, many textbooks now offer online access to resources and problem solutions, which can be a helpful supplement to self-study.

Overall, I encourage you to thoroughly research and compare different textbook options before making a purchase, and to also consider reaching out to physics professors or fellow students for their recommendations. Best of luck in your self-study journey!