What Textbooks Do University Physics Students Use?

AI Thread Summary
A grade 11 student, having completed math and physics credits, expresses enthusiasm for advancing to grade 12 and potentially university-level studies in these subjects. They are currently working through the Giancoli Physics textbook and seek recommendations for more challenging physics textbooks used by university students. Suggestions include "Physics for Scientists and Engineers" by Serway and Jewett for first-year physics and Stewart's calculus text for mathematics, which is essential for understanding calculus-based physics. Thomas' Calculus is also recommended for covering single and multivariable calculus. The student acknowledges the value of prior discussions on similar topics and indicates no further need for responses.
nobelium102
Messages
66
Reaction score
0
Hi, I am grade 11 in high school
I got my grade 11 math and physics credit
and i thought i want to move on and study grade 12 and more (maybe even university level)
I always loved math and last semester I tried physics for first time and it was awesome
(except optics,, hahaha personal preference i guess)

anyways

I have a grade 12 physics textbook and giancoli physics 5th edition
I am almost done giancoli
and i want to try some more challenging stuff

So which textbooks do 1st 2nd 3rd 4th year students use for physics?

physics is so cool and almost beautiful

P.s. I think i need to study some math as well? can you recommend some math textbook?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Grab a good calculus text that covers the 3 semesters of university calculus. The next step is calculus based physics which is certainly a drag if you don't know calculus :). Check out Stewart's calculus text. I know there's another well known calculus text but I can't put my finger on it.
 
For first year physics, I would recommend "Physics for Scientists and Engineers" by Serway and Jewett. It is a very readable text with plenty of examples and chapter summaries.

As far as math goes, Thomas' Calculus is very good. It covers calculus of a single variable and multivariable calculus, so you will have plenty to learn.

You can probably pick up an older edition of either of these books relatively cheap on amazon or ebay. If you are self studying, there is no reason to buy a newer edition.
 
thx for the replies
i should have read some of the older posts before i asked
many questions were similar as mine

no need to answer mine anymore
thx though
 
By looking around, it seems like Dr. Hassani's books are great for studying "mathematical methods for the physicist/engineer." One is for the beginner physicist [Mathematical Methods: For Students of Physics and Related Fields] and the other is [Mathematical Physics: A Modern Introduction to Its Foundations] for the advanced undergraduate / grad student. I'm a sophomore undergrad and I have taken up the standard calculus sequence (~3sems) and ODEs. I want to self study ahead in mathematics...

Similar threads

Replies
32
Views
3K
Replies
11
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
34
Views
7K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
39
Views
7K
Replies
13
Views
4K
Back
Top