Essential Calculus-based Physics Study Guide Workbook: The Laws of Motion (Learn Physics with Calculus Step-by-Step) - Softcover

McMullen, Chris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1941691153 ISBN 13: 9781941691151

Publisher: Zishka Publishing, 2016

Synopsis

LEVEL: This book covers physics with calculus at the university level. (If instead you’re looking for a trig-based physics book, search for ISBN 1941691145.)

DESCRIPTION: This combination of physics study guide and workbook focuses on essential problem-solving skills and strategies:

• Fully solved examples with explanations show you step-by-step how to solve standard university physics problems.
• Handy charts tabulate the symbols, what they mean, and their SI units.
• Problem-solving strategies are broken down into steps and illustrated with examples.
• Answers, hints, intermediate answers, and explanations are provided for every practice exercise.
• Terms and concepts which are essential to solving physics problems are defined and explained.

VOLUME: This volume covers motion, including uniform acceleration, calculus-based motion, vector addition, projectile motion, Newton’s laws, center of mass integrals, conservation of energy, collisions, the scalar and vector product, rotation, moment of inertia integrals, satellites, and more. (Vol. 2 covers electricity and magnetism, while Vol. 3 covers waves, fluids, heat, sound, and light. Vol.’s 2-3 will be released in the spring of 2017.)

AUTHOR: The author, Dr. Chris McMullen, has over 20 years of experience teaching university physics in California, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana (and has also taught physics to gifted high school students). Dr. McMullen currently teaches physics at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He has also published a half-dozen papers on the collider phenomenology of superstring-inspired large extra dimensions. Chris McMullen earned his Ph.D. in particle physics from Oklahoma State University (and his M.S. in physics from California State University, Northridge).

Dr. McMullen is well-known for:

• engaging physics students in challenging ideas through creativity
• breaking difficult problems down into manageable steps
• providing clear and convincing explanations to subtle issues
• his mastery of physics and strong background in mathematics
• helping students become more fluent in practical math skills

MATH REVIEW: Separate chapters cover essential calculus skills (like derivatives and relevant integration techniques) as well as essential algebra, geometry, and trigonometry skills.

SOLUTIONS: The back of the book includes a detailed section of hints, intermediate answers, final answers, and explanations to help you solve each problem one step at a time. It’s like having a physics tutor in the back of the book. (However, if you would prefer complete solutions, search for ISBN 194169117X.)

USES: This study guide workbook can be used to:

• learn how to solve fundamental problems in physics with calculus
• find fully-solved examples of standard physics problems
• develop fluency in physics via practice exercises that include answers, hints, and explanations
• quickly find the most essential physics terms, concepts, and formulas
• prepare for the AP physics exam
• review for standardized exams, such as AP Physics or the fundamentals of the GRE.

CALCULATOR: Every problem in this book can be solved without the aid of a calculator. This is handy for students who will take a standardized exam like the GRE Physics, which doesn’t allow a calculator. (It’s also a handy skill to be able to estimate an answer without relying on a calculator.)

About this title

From the Author

WHAT TEACHERS LIKE

• For those students who are reluctant to come to office hours, the detailed hints and answers section helps walk students through the solutions. The hints section answers many of the questions that students commonly ask about.
• The problem selection includes bread and butter problems, fundamental problems that students need to learn how to solve.
• Every problem has an answer, so that students know when they're not solving a problem correctly. When students get the answer right, it helps to build confidence.

WHAT STUDENTS LIKE

• It's concise, focusing on what you need to know to solve the problems.
• It's easy to find formulas and examples.
• The selection of practice exercises is very similar to the examples, so the examples serve as a handy guide.
• The text and examples break solutions down into basic terms.
• It's easy to find a chart explaining what all the symbols mean.
• It's easy to find a chart listing all of the units.
• The hints and explanations in the back of the book help to walk you through each step of every problem. It's much more helpful than a simple answer key.

More math and science books by Chris McMullen, Ph.D.

Physics:

• Essential Calculus-based Physics Study Guide Workbook
• Essential Trig-based Physics Study Guide Workbook
• 100 Instructive Calculus-based Physics Examples
• 100 Instructive Trig-based Physics Examples
• An Advanced Introduction to Calculus-Based Physics
• A Guide to Thermal Physics
• Creative Physics Problems, Volume 1
• Creative Physics Problems, Volume 2

Math workbooks:

• The Improve Your Math Fluency series of math workbooks offers practice with essential math skills in arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percents, algebra, and trigonometry.

Popular science:

• An Introduction to Basic Astronomy Concepts.
• Understand Basic Chemistry Concepts.

The fourth dimension:

• A Visual Guide to Extra Dimensions, Volume 1.
• A Visual Guide to Extra Dimensions, Volume 2.
• A Visual Introduction to the Fourth Dimension.
• Full-Color Illustrations of the Fourth Dimension, Volume 1.
• Full-Color Illustrations of the Fourth Dimension, Volume 2.

About the Author

Dr. Chris McMullen has over 20 years of experience teaching university physics in California, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. Dr. McMullen is also an author of math and science books. Whether in the classroom or as a writer, Dr. McMullen loves sharing knowledge and the art of motivating and engaging students.

He earned his Ph.D. in phenomenological high-energy physics (particle physics) from Oklahoma State University in 2002. Originally from California, Dr. McMullen earned his Master's degree from California State University, Northridge, where his thesis was in the field of electron spin resonance.

As a physics teacher, Dr. McMullen observed that many students lack fluency in fundamental math skills. In an effort to help students of all ages and levels master basic math skills, he published a series of math workbooks on arithmetic, fractions, algebra, and trigonometry called the Improve Your Math Fluency Series. Dr. McMullen has also published a variety of science books, including introductions to basic astronomy and chemistry concepts in addition to physics textbooks.

Dr. McMullen is very passionate about teaching. Many students and observers have been impressed with the transformation that occurs when he walks into the classroom, and the interactive engaged discussions that he leads during class time. Dr. McMullen is well-known for drawing monkeys and using them in his physics examples and problems, applying his creativity to inspire students. A stressed-out student is likely to be told to throw some bananas at monkeys, smile, and think happy physics thoughts.

Edition details

• Publisher: Zishka Publishing
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1941691153
• ISBN 13: 9781941691151
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 484