It's not one of the choices, but I'm teaching from the Cutnell and Johnson
College Physics book for the first time this semester. I like it a lot!
IM(NotSo)HO, it's well-written, very understandable, has mostly good
problems, and has nice web applications available to students. I would
recommend it wholeheartedly.
Ruth Ann Levinson
Department of Physics
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901
-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
[mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Stefan
Jeglinski
Sent: Saturday, November 25, 2006 8:55 AM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: [Phys-l] Fwd: Picking Physics Books - Need Your Help !!!!!
I am forwarding this on behalf of a colleague who normally teaches
high-school physics but who has also been hired to teach standard
physics courses at a local community college. He asks the following
question, and I am posing it to the list on his behalf. Any and all
comments welcome; I will collect and forward them back.
I will be teaching College Physics I (151) and College Physics II
(152) at Piedmont Community College starting in January. I have not
taught this level of introductory physics for 20-years or more, but
as I have found in the current high school class, it is like riding a
bike, which of course is physics too.
Please skim these standard course descriptions:
PHY 151
This course uses algebra- and trigonometry-based mathematical models
to introduce the fundamental concepts that describe the physical
world. Topics include units and measurement, vectors, linear
kinematics and dynamics, energy, power, momentum, fluid mechanics,
and heat. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an
understanding of the principles involved and display analytical
problem-solving ability for the topics covered. This course has been
approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general
education core requirement in natural sciences/mathematics.
PHY 152
This course uses algebra- and trigonometry-based mathematical models
to introduce the fundamental concepts that describe the physical
world. Topics include electrostatic forces, electric fields, electric
potentials, direct-current circuits, magnetostatic forces, magnetic
fields, electromagnetic induction, alternating-current circuits, and
light. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an
understanding of the principles involved and display analytical
problem-solving ability for the topics covered. This course has been
approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general
education core requirement in natural sciences/mathematics.
Of course, all of these are comparable. If you have any familiarity
with these` textbooks, and have some personal opinions that could
help me make a choice, please share those with me by the end of
Monday 11/27. It would be a very big help!