Physics: A World View

The main objective of this book is to provide non-science majors with a clear and logical presentation of some of the basic concepts and principles of classical and modern physics. To create an appropriate language for students, the authors have translated the logic, vocabulary, and values of physics into longer, less tightly structured narration that students can understand. As mathematics holds much of the beauty and power of physics, the authors have written and included a mathematical supplement, PHYSICS: A NUMERICAL WORLD VIEW, packaged free with this text.

Larry Kirkpatrick has always been a teacher; he just didn't know it. After receiving a B.S. in physics from Washington State University and a Ph.D. in experimental high-energy physics from MIT, he began his academic career at the University of Washington as a typical faculty member. However, he found that he was spending more and more time in the classroom and less and less time in the laboratory. Finally, he decided that he would get a position teaching physics full time or he would quit physics and use his computer skills to make lots of money. Fortunately, Montana State University hired him to teach physics. He served for eight years as academic director of the U.S. Physics Team that competes in the International Physics Olympiad each summer and has also served as President of the American Association of Physics Teachers. He retired in 2002 to concentrate on teaching, writing, ranching, and playing golf.