Reddit reviews Conceptual Physics (11th Edition)

Alright I think I can help you. I'll give my answer in two parts as it sort of depends on what you mean by science.

If you're talking about the scientific method, infrastructure, and general processes. Then I'd recommend looking into the skeptical community. Which primarily focuses on evaluating claims and avoiding logical fallacies. An essential skill for that being a firm understanding of the scientific process. For this I'd just recommend listening to "The sketpics guide to the universe" podcast. They'll eventually cover things, and then cover them again. So you'll just pick it all up by listening weekly.

If on the other hand you're more interested in just learning about the world there's more options out there. I'd recommend starting with a conceptual physics bookd like this which should give you an overview of the scientific method as well as our general understanding of how the world works. From there you can look for fields you might be interested in such as biology, geology, psychology, chemistry, and so forth. Reading introductory textbooks, or watching online courses such as coursera.

Some other thoughts.

• Initially I'd avoid most science based youtube channels. Their information is interesting but also fragmentary and not very useful without a solid foundational understanding of the topics.
  
  
• The best way to increase your recall is to re-learn or study the material over longer periods of time. Like once or twice a month. As well as testing yourself on the material. Also try and connect what you've learned to your everyday life. This is especially relevant when learning physics.
  
  
• I'd also recommend the Cosmos series, both new and old. They sometimes get their history wrong, but good sources of "science inspiration"
  
  
• Feel free to PM anytime as you're learning if you'd like more resources or something's not working for you. I'd love to be able to help.

High School Physics Teacher here:

Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewitt.

I own an old copy and leave it in my classroom. This book will get you perfectly prepared for your class, as it has wonderful cartoons to explain a wide variety of topics and also includes all of the necessary formulas.

Pro Tip: Look for an old, used version. I wouldn't pay full price for the latest edition. The physics hasn't changed over the years.

EDIT: You can totally find a used version for $15-$20. At first search, I found them for $17.99 here. I'm sure you can do better, but there's no need to buy the latest, newest edition.

For Physics, I'd recommend starting with the textbook "Conceptual Physics." I've found the 11th edition for ~$27 (used) here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0321568095/ref=tmm_hrd_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&qid=&sr=

You might be able to get it cheaper if you look for an older edition.

The textbook doesn't use calculus. It focuses on building the conceptual ideas behind Newtonian physics. It uses only algebra and a bit of trig.

When I studied physics, I started with this textbook. I've found that it made a calculus based physics class much easier for me, as instead of having to learn both concepts and how to use calculus in a practical setting, I just had to learn how to use calculus.

The website provides materials, but I often find the best way to learn is to do problems. You can try finding some on the internet, but the "safe" way is to start with textbooks.


My high school used Conceptual Physics and [University Physics] (http://www.amazon.com/University-Physics-Modern-MasteringPhysics-Package/dp/0321675460/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371325629). Texts are REALLY expensive though, so the best option is to look up which university you're hoping to go to, and just buy whatever textbook they use for first year. At least that way you have a chance of not having to buy double.


University Physics requires at minimum precalculus, and would probably be much more understandable with some grasp of calculus, so if that is a problem, you should pick up calculus first. Or at least, understand calculus on a conceptual level.


A more economical way is to just use MIT OpenCourseWare. I don't have experience with this since I learn everything from my own university now but I heard it is really good. For example:

• Mechanics
  
• Electromagnetism
  
  If you manage to understand everything in those, you should be able to apply for AP on your own, drive there, and confidently ace it. Also, I tried really hard to find links with less textbook references, so you won't need to buy the textbook if you don't want to! But in the end, a good textbook is probably only second to paying attention in class, and sometimes better if you have a terrible lecturer. Also, the courseware links are rather difficult from a High School perspective, especially the one on Electromagnetism. In fact, for that one, you need a rather strong background in calculus.

Maybe, but I'm no doctor. I think if you're determined you can do it. My physics professor suggested a conceptual book about physics that might really help, you need to understand the fundamentals before you can apply math

This one, I bought a hard cover old ass version for like $3; Conceptual Physics (11th Edition) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321568095/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_17ybzbH9V4ATN

I recommend Hewitt's classic Conceptual Physics or Giancoli's algebra-based text Physics: Principles with Applications (if you want to get into the swing of things, mathematically speaking).

If you really enjoy the material, calculus-based physics can come later. You run the very real risk of getting bogged down in one subject instead of making it through the major lessons of the other.

That being said, taking a course in calculus invariably introduces you to physics anyway since that's why it was created in the first place. You may be better off learning some calculus and leaving the physics for later. Even just a book on precalc could be helpful for you. There are tons of options out there — they're mostly the same in all honesty — but this one is very popular among universities in the states.

Go to a library and find some of these books and see what excites you. That will guide your decision.

Would the best approach to learning physics be, first reading conceptual physics by Hewitt, then reading fundamentals of physics by Halliday?

Would conceptual physics give me a good grounding and base in physics, which would help once I start reading fundamentals of physics?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Conceptual-Physics-Paul-G-Hewitt/dp/0321568095