Preparing for E&M physics (2nd Semester College Physics).

[1stepatatime]

Hello everyone, I made a similar post to this last semester when I went onto take my Introduction to Mechanics (1st semester of College Physics) course and asked for some books that will give me some insight to supplement the first few sections of the Halliday and Resnick (1-15, 8th edition) text. I used Schaum's and the "An Introduction to Mechanics" by Kleppner and Kolenkow, which gave a deeper insight into basic Newtonian Mechanics and not only did they help, but I ended up enjoying all three. I was able to finish with a strong A in the class (I was extremely excited), and now and am looking forward to the next semester. So much thanks once again for helping me out, .

So my first question is, aside from Schaum's are there any other recommended texts/guides/books for starting E&M (middle sections of Halliday and Resnick) physics? I'm also at a slight disadvantage since I have little to no conceptual experience with these two subjects, so maybe a recommended book for that as well?

I was doing a little research, and saw that I will encounter vector calculus. I just finished Calc II (earned a solid A as well) which had no vector calculus at all. I realize that this puts me at a disadvantage compared to other students who have completed Calc III, but has anybody found it completely overwhelming to take both at the same time? I expect the math to be rigorous and understand if you don't follow the math, it makes the physics that much (even more) difficult.

Sorry for the long text, but as you can tell I'm nervous (even more this time) about this semester coming up. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sir_Arthur]

Don't worry too much. The second section of Halliday & Resnick (if that's what you're using second semester as well) isn't too rough with vector calculus. We used it in my high-school AP class and although most of the students were only in Calc I or II (AB or BC) my physics teacher was capable of teaching everyone the necessary math. Additionally, many people (myself included) find Calc III easier to learn than Calc II, because it largely involves applying familiar concepts of derivation/integration to three dimensions.

 

[Mene]

I would recommend that you continue to use multiple resources to supplement your textbook and class lectures. It's great to see that you found success using Schaum's and the Kleppner and Kolenkow text, so I would definitely recommend continuing to use those resources for E&M physics as well. In addition, you could also look into other textbooks such as "Electricity and Magnetism" by Purcell and "Introduction to Electrodynamics" by Griffiths. These texts are often used in undergraduate E&M courses and could provide you with a different perspective on the material.

Regarding your concern about vector calculus, I would suggest brushing up on your vector algebra skills and familiarizing yourself with basic vector calculus concepts such as gradient, divergence, and curl. You may also find it helpful to review multivariable calculus concepts, such as partial derivatives and line integrals, as they will be important in understanding E&M.

It is definitely possible to take both E&M and vector calculus at the same time, but it may require some extra effort and dedication. I would suggest staying organized and managing your time effectively to ensure you can keep up with both courses. Additionally, don't hesitate to ask for help from your professors or classmates if you are struggling with any concepts.

Overall, the key to success in E&M physics (or any subject) is to stay curious, motivated, and open to learning from multiple sources. Good luck with your studies!