200 More Puzzling Physics Problems

Like its predecessor, 200 Puzzling Physics Problems, this book is aimed at strengthening students' grasp of the laws of physics by applying them to situations that are practical, and to problems that yield more easily to intuitive insight than to brute-force methods and complex mathematics. The problems are chosen almost exclusively from classical, non-quantum physics, but are no easier for that. They are intriguingly posed in accessible non-technical language, and require readers to select an appropriate analysis framework and decide which branches of physics are involved. The general level of sophistication needed is that of the exceptional school student, the good undergraduate, or the competent graduate student; some physics professors may find some of the more difficult questions challenging. By contrast, the mathematical demands are relatively minimal, and seldom go beyond elementary calculus. This further book of physics problems is not only instructive and challenging, but also enjoyable.

Péter Gnädig graduated as a physicist from Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest in 1971 and received his PhD in theoretical particle physics from the same university in 1980. He worked as a researcher in high energy physics and a lecturer in the Department of Atomic Physics at ELTE until he retired in 2010. Between 1985 and 2004, he was one of the leaders of the Hungarian team taking part in the International Physics Olympiad. Since 1989, he has been the physics editor for the Mathematical and Physical Journal for Secondary Schools. He is one of the authors of 200 Puzzling Physics Problems (Cambridge, 2001).

Gyula Honyek graduated as a physicist from Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest in 1975 and received his PhD from the same university in 1977, after which he remained as a researcher and lecturer in the Department of General Physics. In 1985, he transferred to the teacher training school at ELTE, and was then mentor and teacher at Radnóti Grammar School, Budapest, until his retirement in 2011. Between 1986 and 2011, he was one of the leaders of the Hungarian team taking part in the International Physics Olympiad. He is one of the authors of 200 Puzzling Physics Problems (Cambridge, 2001).

Máté Vigh graduated as a physicist from Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in 2010. He took part in the International Physics Olympiad as a contestant in 2003 and 2004. He has been one of the leaders and trainers of the Hungarian team since 2012.

Ken F. Riley read Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and gained a PhD in theoretical and experimental nuclear physics, before following a research career in particle physics. He was also Senior Tutor at Clare College, Cambridge and a University Lecturer at the Cavendish Laboratory, where he taught physics and mathematics for over forty years. Amongst his other publications are the widely established mathematics textbook Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering, 3rd edition (2006) and the physics problems books Problems for Physics Students (1982) and 200 Puzzling Physics Problems (2001), all published by Cambridge University Press.