Richard Wolfson’s Essential University Physics is a concise and progressive calculus-based physics textbook that offers clear writing, great problems, and interesting real-life applications. At nearly half the length and half the price of other physics texts on the market, Essential University Physics is a compelling alternative for professors who want to focus on the fundamentals. 

Based on Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Wolfson and Pasachoff, Essential University Physics retains many of the lauded features of the original text, while introducing new pedagogical elements derived from physics education research. The text focuses on the fundamentals of physics, teaches sound problem-solving skills,  emphasizes conceptual understanding, and makes connections to the real world. Features such as annotated figures and step-by-step problem-solving strategies help provide a clear learning path for students.

The crisp two-color design is clear and engaging. The streamlined art uses careful color and shade choices to distinguish physical quantities consistently. The art also incorporates the author’s voice annotations, pencil-style sketches, and visual chapter summaries. A self-evident hierarchy of screens organizes the pedagogical features, which allows the student to navigate easily through the material. 

Essential University Physics is offered as two paperback volumes, available shrink-wrapped together and for sale individually. 

This product is an alternate version of:
Wolfson,  Essential University Physics
Wolfson,  Essential University Physics with MasteringPhysics®, 2/E

• Focus on the fundamentals:
  • The overarching theme is physics has a simple, elementary foundation that underlies seemingly disconnected topics.   
  • To Learn and To Know features offer learning goals and topics to review at each chapter’s outset to highlight the chapter’s key skills and ideas and its connections to other chapters.   
  • Key equations and definitions are on screened boxes with titles and explanatory material, so that students will not simply grab a bare equation with no sense as to how it is applied.
  • Tips offer concise explanatory or cautionary notes for typical misconceptions and identify the fundamental connections between new and old topics.  
  • Visual chapter and part summaries present the big picture and provide visual reviews that focus on the concepts and connections of chapter material with an emphasis on multiple representations (words, math, and figures) of concepts.
•  Teach sound problem-solving skills:
  •  The consistent and explicit problem-solving strategy is designed to develop students’ confidence and skill in systematically setting up problems rather than diving into the math. 
  • The IDEA (Interpret, Develop, Evaluate, and Assess) framework, used in every worked example, begins with a problem’s key ideas, stresses the importance of planning a solution and drawing a diagram, moves through the math, checks for reasonable answers, and relates the problem’s content to a broader understanding of physics.  
  • Strategy boxes provide specialized versions of the global strategy, adapted to specific topics.
  • Pencil-style illustrations in worked examples show realistic figures that a student should draw.
  • Tactics boxes review mathematical topics and develop individual skills.
• Emphasize conceptual understanding:
  • Got It?questions present multiple-choice and ranking task problems in most sections to focus reading and identify misconceptions.
  • The EOC section For Thought and Discussion contains qualitative questions that test understanding and promote collaborative reading with peers.
  • Every worked example begins by interpreting what a problem asks and identifying the relevant concepts.
• Connect to the real world:
  • Every chapter has an Application box exploring a modern, cutting-edge use of the chapter’s physics in the world.
  • Informed by physics education research, context-rich problems in the end-of-chapter material require students to analyze the significant factors in physical scenarios set in the real world. 
  • Chapter-opener photos showcase examples of physics in everyday life along with thought provoking questions.

1. Doing Physics

Part 1 Mechanics

2. Motion in a Straight Line

3. Motion in Two and Three Dimensions

4. Force and Motion

5. Using Newton’s Laws

6. Work, Energy, and Power

7. Conservation of Energy

8. Gravity

9. Systems of Particles

10. Rotational Motion

11. Rotational Vectors and Angular Momentum

12. Static Equilibrium

Part 2  Oscillations, Waves, and Fluids

13. Oscillatory Motion

14. Wave Motion

15. Fluid Motion

Part 3  Thermodynamics

16. Temperature and Heat

17. The Thermal Behavior of Matter

18. Heat, Work, and the First Law of Thermodynamics

19. The Second Law of Thermodynamics

Part 4  Electromagnetism

20. Electric Charge, Force, and Field

21. Gauss’s Law

22. Electric Potential

23. Electrostatic Energy and Capacitors

24. Electric Current

25. Electric Circuits

26. Magnetism

27. Electromagnetic Induction

28. Alternating-Current Circuits

29. Electromagnetic Waves

Part 5 Optics

30. The Behavior of Light

31. Images and Optical Instruments

32. Interference and Diffraction

Part 6 Modern Physics

33. Relativity

34. Particles and Waves

35. Quantum Physics

36. Atomic Physics

37. Molecular and Solid-State Physics

38. Nuclear Physics

39. Quarks to Cosmos

Calculus-Based Physics  (Physics & Astronomy)

For Calculus-Based Physics

ActivPhysics Volume 2, 2/E
Van Heuvelen
©2004   |   Addison-Wesley   |   Paper   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0805390618   |   ISBN-13: 9780805390612
Suggested retail price: $48.33Net price: $36.25  (What's this?)

For the Physics & Astronomy Discipline

Astronomy Media Workbook (Download only with SkyGazer 5.0), 7/E
LoPresto
©2012   |   Addison-Wesley   |   On-line Supplement   |   Live
ISBN-10: 0321741242   |   ISBN-13: 9780321741240
This online resource is available at no cost.

Show Downloadable Files

Hide Downloadable Files

|

More Info