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Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics
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As the most widely adopted new physics book in more than 50 years, Knight’s Physics for Scientists and Engineers was published to widespread critical acclaim from professors and students. In the Third Edition, Knight builds on the research-proven instructional techniques he introduced in the first and second editions, as well as national data of student performance, to take student learning even further. Knight’s unparalleled insight into student learning difficulties, and his impeccably skillful crafting of text and figures at every level—from macro to micro—to address these difficulties, results in a uniquely effective and accessible book, leading students to a deeper and better-connected understanding of the concepts and more proficient problem-solving skills. For the Third Edition, Knight continues to apply the best results from educational research, and to refine and tailor them for this course and its students. New pedagogical features (Chapter Previews, Challenge Examples, and Data-based Examples), end-of-chapter problem sets enhanced through analysis of national student metadata, and fine-tuned and streamlined content take the hallmarks of the previous editions—exceptionally effective conceptual explanation and problem-solving instruction—to a new level. This package For the book with the access card package,please refer 0321844351
As the most widely adopted new physics book in more than 50 years, Knight’s Physics for Scientists and Engineers was published to widespread critical acclaim from professors and students. In the Third Edition, Knight builds on the research-proven instructional techniques he introduced in the first and second editions, as well as national data of student performance, to take student learning even further. Knight’s unparalleled insight into student learning difficulties, and his impeccably skillful crafting of text and figures at every level—from macro to micro—to address these difficulties, results in a uniquely effective and accessible book, leading students to a deeper and better-connected understanding of the concepts and more proficient problem-solving skills. For the Third Edition, Knight continues to apply the best results from educational research, and to refine and tailor them for this course and its students. New pedagogical features (Chapter Previews, Challenge Examples, and Data-based Examples), end-of-chapter problem sets enhanced through analysis of national student metadata, and fine-tuned and streamlined content take the hallmarks of the previous editions—exceptionally effective conceptual explanation and problem-solving instruction—to a new level. This package For the book with the access card package,please refer 0321844351
1376 pages, Hardcover
First published December 28, 2003
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496 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 12, 2023
Yes this a textbook but yes I am going to add it to my goodreads because I did not spend multiple hours a week crying on fondy 6th and clawing my hair out trying to read every page for it not to be counted as reading. Reading is reading however torturous and educational argue with the wall…
November 17, 2009
"28.3 Calculating Electric Flux
Let's start with a brief overview of where this section will take us. We'll begin with a definition of flux that is easy to understand, then we'll turn that simple definition into a formidable-looking integral. We need the integral because the simple definition applies only to uniform electric fields and flat surfaces. Those are good starting points, but we'll soon need to calculate the flux of nonuniform fields through curved surfaces.
Mathematically, the flux of a nonuniform field through a curved surface is described by a special kind of integral called a surface integral. It's quite possible that you have not yet encountered surface integrals in your calculus course, and the "novelty factor" contributes to making this integral look worse than it really is. We will emphasise over and over the idea that an integral is just a fancy way of doing a sum, in this case the sum of the small amounts of flux through many small pieces of a surface.
The good news is that every surface integral we need to evaluate in this chapter, or that you will need to evaluate for the homework problems, is either zero or is so easy that you will be able to do it in your head. This seems like an astounding claim, but you will soon see it is true. The key will be to make effective use of the symmetry of the electric field.
Now that you've been warned, you needn't panic at the sight of the mathematical notation that will be introduced. We'll go step by step, and you'll see that, at least as far as electrostatics is concerned, calculating the electric flux is not difficult."
Sigh. Randall D. Knight doesn't seem to realise that the people who make it into first-year physics probably aren't retarded. The entire book is like this.
Let's start with a brief overview of where this section will take us. We'll begin with a definition of flux that is easy to understand, then we'll turn that simple definition into a formidable-looking integral. We need the integral because the simple definition applies only to uniform electric fields and flat surfaces. Those are good starting points, but we'll soon need to calculate the flux of nonuniform fields through curved surfaces.
Mathematically, the flux of a nonuniform field through a curved surface is described by a special kind of integral called a surface integral. It's quite possible that you have not yet encountered surface integrals in your calculus course, and the "novelty factor" contributes to making this integral look worse than it really is. We will emphasise over and over the idea that an integral is just a fancy way of doing a sum, in this case the sum of the small amounts of flux through many small pieces of a surface.
The good news is that every surface integral we need to evaluate in this chapter, or that you will need to evaluate for the homework problems, is either zero or is so easy that you will be able to do it in your head. This seems like an astounding claim, but you will soon see it is true. The key will be to make effective use of the symmetry of the electric field.
Now that you've been warned, you needn't panic at the sight of the mathematical notation that will be introduced. We'll go step by step, and you'll see that, at least as far as electrostatics is concerned, calculating the electric flux is not difficult."
Sigh. Randall D. Knight doesn't seem to realise that the people who make it into first-year physics probably aren't retarded. The entire book is like this.
June 7, 2017
While it does technically cover the material it should, it does so in such a confusing and dry fashion. There is no easy reference for equations for starters. Equations are thrown in wherever needed and not much time is taken explaining how to derive equations or approach problems. Concepts aren't ever fully explained. The conceptual questions at the end of the chapters are guessing games because the chapters never contain answers for them.
The online component is no better. The ebook version is stripped as bare as possible, I guess to avoid paying again for copyrighted images including some example diagrams. The only videos available are middle-school-esque experiment demonstrations that add no real value. There are no tutorials. The online homework portion does not show you how to solve problems, just the answer if you run out of tries. It also docks points for incorrect guesses and if you utilize the hint function at all. The hint function itself only appears on a small number of problems and is not even helpful. Hints are usually just the problem reformatted and reworded and still makes you try to come up with the answers in the examples without explanation on how to get the answers it's asking for. It's a disaster.
If I had a choice, I never would have used the online component, period. It's not worth any amount of money. Heck, I probably wouldn't even use it if it's free. The book was mostly useless as well. This book and the online component were both a total waste of money in my opinion and did absolutely nothing to help me learn physics. If I didn't have the internet and somewhat competent instructors, I would have learned nothing and failed the class. This book is probably good if you have a solid background in high school physics (which wasn't required for my class), but good luck if you're weak in any concept.
The online component is no better. The ebook version is stripped as bare as possible, I guess to avoid paying again for copyrighted images including some example diagrams. The only videos available are middle-school-esque experiment demonstrations that add no real value. There are no tutorials. The online homework portion does not show you how to solve problems, just the answer if you run out of tries. It also docks points for incorrect guesses and if you utilize the hint function at all. The hint function itself only appears on a small number of problems and is not even helpful. Hints are usually just the problem reformatted and reworded and still makes you try to come up with the answers in the examples without explanation on how to get the answers it's asking for. It's a disaster.
If I had a choice, I never would have used the online component, period. It's not worth any amount of money. Heck, I probably wouldn't even use it if it's free. The book was mostly useless as well. This book and the online component were both a total waste of money in my opinion and did absolutely nothing to help me learn physics. If I didn't have the internet and somewhat competent instructors, I would have learned nothing and failed the class. This book is probably good if you have a solid background in high school physics (which wasn't required for my class), but good luck if you're weak in any concept.
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February 24, 2012This book is a master piece, i highly appriciated the approach and the way of clarifying lessons in this book
December 29, 2015
Overview: I have read all of this book but I have only made extensive notes and done exercises from chapter 1-15 to 25-35, as that is all I have taken so far in uni. Technically I haven't taken E&M, but I thought I would get ahead for the winter quarter. This review will focus on the sections where I've spent the most time.
This is one of the best textbooks that I've read. The framework for the material is discrete focusing more on examples in an applied and qualitative way. In this way I found the textbook more focused on teaching students how to model problems than a focus merely on the underlying physics. In this way if you're looking for a pure textbook on the physics you will be sorely disappointed. If you're a scientists or engineering undergrad this should suit your needs.
I do have some caveats. So much of this text is a qualitative approach. In the E&M section Knight constantly goes back to the same wonderful example of a circular charge. It's the exact same example that I noticed Ramamurti Shankar went over in his lectures of E&M. At one point Knight goes back to that problem and instead starts to do faux real analysis on the problem, but he doesn't give you any of the variables and just presents the end results. In this example it was expected to just read the example and not try to follow along, but none of that was choreographed.
Since text books nowadays are as much about their "services" as they are the text, I thought I would talk about the services aspects that accompanies this text. In many ways MasteringPhysics, the online homework that accompanies Knight's text through Pearson, is the bane of every undergrad's existence. That's how it should be, but not in the way they went about it. Physics is a difficult subject and the homework if there is to be homework should be difficult, very difficult in fact. The problem is that the homework is quantitative, while the vast majority of Knight's text teaches you how to qualitatively assess problems.
In the example of circular charges, Knight had the ability to approach an example in a quantitative way but instead doesn't. This is a trend throughout the book. I ended up teaching myself how to quantitatively assess the problems I was given, ending the course with a very high score in MasteringPhysics. I attribute the modelling needed to assess those problems to the textbook, but it did not adequately prepare me for the quantitative analysis. You might laugh when I talk about homework in this way but when the MasteringPhysics is worth approaching to two exams on the grading scale and one wrong multiple choice submission can be the difference between an A & B that makes students such as myself lord over their work. Constantly revising it, spending hours on homework that should not take hours. It's a very unproductive learning experience that accompanies a great text.
In many ways I see my caveats as a problem due to the fact that the pedagogy hasn't caught up to the technology. They're trying their best, they clearly are but it's almost as if they're overwhelmed. Here is an example I found of supplemental video to the textbook in the Pearson Study Area a problem where the instructor forgot to multiply by g(gravity) in their calculations. When my E&M course starts I plan on contacting Pearson and sending them the error.
It may sound like I am down on this book but I am not. Many stalwarts to old notation don't like Knight's use a notation but it's a completely consistent internally throughout the text which is all it need be. As Feynman said "We could, of course, use any notation we want; do not laugh at notations; invent them, they are powerful. In fact, mathematics is, to a large extent, invention of better notations." I will consistently refer back to this text in the future, and despite not needing to take GR as a computer science major, I look forward to doing applications in this book in my spare time on that subject.
This is one of the best textbooks that I've read. The framework for the material is discrete focusing more on examples in an applied and qualitative way. In this way I found the textbook more focused on teaching students how to model problems than a focus merely on the underlying physics. In this way if you're looking for a pure textbook on the physics you will be sorely disappointed. If you're a scientists or engineering undergrad this should suit your needs.
I do have some caveats. So much of this text is a qualitative approach. In the E&M section Knight constantly goes back to the same wonderful example of a circular charge. It's the exact same example that I noticed Ramamurti Shankar went over in his lectures of E&M. At one point Knight goes back to that problem and instead starts to do faux real analysis on the problem, but he doesn't give you any of the variables and just presents the end results. In this example it was expected to just read the example and not try to follow along, but none of that was choreographed.
Since text books nowadays are as much about their "services" as they are the text, I thought I would talk about the services aspects that accompanies this text. In many ways MasteringPhysics, the online homework that accompanies Knight's text through Pearson, is the bane of every undergrad's existence. That's how it should be, but not in the way they went about it. Physics is a difficult subject and the homework if there is to be homework should be difficult, very difficult in fact. The problem is that the homework is quantitative, while the vast majority of Knight's text teaches you how to qualitatively assess problems.
In the example of circular charges, Knight had the ability to approach an example in a quantitative way but instead doesn't. This is a trend throughout the book. I ended up teaching myself how to quantitatively assess the problems I was given, ending the course with a very high score in MasteringPhysics. I attribute the modelling needed to assess those problems to the textbook, but it did not adequately prepare me for the quantitative analysis. You might laugh when I talk about homework in this way but when the MasteringPhysics is worth approaching to two exams on the grading scale and one wrong multiple choice submission can be the difference between an A & B that makes students such as myself lord over their work. Constantly revising it, spending hours on homework that should not take hours. It's a very unproductive learning experience that accompanies a great text.
In many ways I see my caveats as a problem due to the fact that the pedagogy hasn't caught up to the technology. They're trying their best, they clearly are but it's almost as if they're overwhelmed. Here is an example I found of supplemental video to the textbook in the Pearson Study Area a problem where the instructor forgot to multiply by g(gravity) in their calculations. When my E&M course starts I plan on contacting Pearson and sending them the error.
It may sound like I am down on this book but I am not. Many stalwarts to old notation don't like Knight's use a notation but it's a completely consistent internally throughout the text which is all it need be. As Feynman said "We could, of course, use any notation we want; do not laugh at notations; invent them, they are powerful. In fact, mathematics is, to a large extent, invention of better notations." I will consistently refer back to this text in the future, and despite not needing to take GR as a computer science major, I look forward to doing applications in this book in my spare time on that subject.
October 20, 2016
Very clear and readable. I especially appreciate that Knight noted when a derivation or topic was "beyond the scope of this textbook"; knowing what's been left out is just as important as knowing what's included. My edition had several incorrect odd-problem solutions written in the back -- worth watching out for.
July 3, 2008
As far as Text books go this one is clear and concise as it takes you from Newtonian physics into the world of quantum mechanics.
April 22, 2011
really good details that makes physics easy to understand.
April 16, 2021
Great text, difficult problems.
May 31, 2024
This book gets points for the emotional turmoil, as it brought me to tears many times. However, the writing was confusing at times and the plot was not always clear. I spent several months with this book and will say that I regret the money I paid to experience it. All in all, this book isn't for the faint of heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2017
The best textbook I have ever read in the sciences out of all the courses I took at uni...
You do not have to go to lecture if you familiarize yourself with this textbook closely
You do not have to go to lecture if you familiarize yourself with this textbook closely
January 10, 2020
Really good Physics book. Paired with the online platform of Mastering Physics, it is excellent.
January 14, 2020
This was perfect
June 27, 2020
The diagrams were always very helpful. The workbook problems were extremely helpful and thought provoking, as well as great practice for tests!
November 9, 2021
Quite like. Is very well produced. Does a great job of explaining material. Just needed to be a little better organized.
May 16, 2022
I love science! All of it: bio, chem, biochem, botany, astronomy and of course physics. Great textbook.
August 2, 2022
<3_<3 I'd have failed without this
September 12, 2022
This was the textbook used for the most difficulty course of my life.
December 7, 2024
adding this because i have literally read the entire book for physics at this point 😐😐 (and im 3 books away from my reading goal lol)
January 28, 2025
This textbook is the definition of a fine textbook. Not bad. Not great. Just fine.
May 18, 2022
Would not recommend this textbook. Explanations are not great.
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December 13, 2009Another Goodreads reviewer, Choupette, has posted a quote from this book. The portion "Now that you've been warned, you needn't panic at the sight of the mathematical notation that will be introduced." is the most relevant to me. Why would people who panic at new math notation ever be taking a class out of this book? It's just so condescending and ridiculous.
And it's SO VERBOSE. No textbook needs to be 1200 pages.
(I actually have the 1st edition...)
And it's SO VERBOSE. No textbook needs to be 1200 pages.
(I actually have the 1st edition...)
June 15, 2012
Good overall textbook. Problem sets were very helpful in that they went from basic single concept questions to multi-concept questions to incredibly challenging questions. Used for a intro to physics for physics majors course. Modern physics section was light on mathematics so professor used supplemental texts as well.
Only complaint is that the sample problems interrupted the flow of the text quite often. Would rather they be placed at the end of sections instead in the middle of them.
Only complaint is that the sample problems interrupted the flow of the text quite often. Would rather they be placed at the end of sections instead in the middle of them.
October 28, 2012
The only freaking book i've been able to read this year because of my bloody physics course. -_-
Good textbook nonetheless though I suppose.
Good textbook nonetheless though I suppose.
June 24, 2022
A bit dry and slow. Often skips proofs and can blabber on a bit. Interesting concepts though from Newtonian mechanics through to quantum and relativity.
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March 8, 2016learn
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews