Product Description
For algebra-based introductory physics courses taken primarily by pre-med, agricultural, technology, and architectural students. This best-selling algebra-based physics text is known for its elegant writing, engaging biological applications, and exactness. Physics: Principles with Applications, 6e retains the careful exposition and precision of previous editions with many interesting new applications and carefully crafted new pedagogy. It was written to give stu… More >>
Physics: Principles with Applications
Tags: agricultural technology, algebra, architectural students, biological applications, careful exposition, introductory physics courses, physics principles, pre med, previous editions
#1 by Dr. A.M. on June 27, 2010 - 8:23 am
I used Giancoli as my primary text in high school, and found it to be a superb text. I think those complaining of a lack of worked problems are missing the entire point of this text and the essence of studying physics. This book is about understanding physics principles and the equations you use to solve physics problems. You will find that with this understanding (certainly provided by this excellent text), the need for mindless ploughing through physics problems is lost. You will be able to solve physics problems on the basis of your conceptual understanding of the problems. So many students rely on rote learning and repetition by doing hundreds of questions. Sure, you might be able to attack similar problems for the next week or so, but as soon as you stop practicing, the skill is lost. True mastery of physics comes from appreciation of principles, not mere recognition of patterns in problems…this text will help you achieve such an appreciation.
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by M. C. Kim on June 27, 2010 - 9:49 am
I know physics is hard for all of us, but this book is very clear in explaining physics. It does not involve in calculus, so usually it is better for most students who never took physics. So if you did not take physics class before, I highly recommend this book because it does not use pompous or intricate words that most science textbook writers do. Not only is it an easy reading, but also it has awesome questions and problems that make you think and that check whether you know really physics.
Most my friends who were in engineering or math majors had easy physics teachers in high school. Some of them did not even take physics at all. Surprisingly, they dived into calculus based physics book and they found the subject to be incredibly hard. I understand their pain because I think this book can be a bridge that can connect high school physics(so easy ones) and calculus based physics.
I also read Serway’s College Physics, and in my opinion, I think Giancoli wrote better job in explaining physics with more clear diagrams. The sentences that he uses grabs my attention. Serway confused me and I was stuck a lot from his book. Problems in examples are so much better in Giancoli as well and diagrams were better as well.
So before you read calculus based physics, read this one thoroughly and you will be able to breathe in higher physics class.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Robert Avakian on June 27, 2010 - 12:38 pm
Having taught from the first volume of Giancoli at the two-year college level, I suggest that the emphasis is on the algebra and not on understanding the Physics. Understanding comes through solving the problems; the problems are not being solved as a result of understanding. The notation is unnecessarily complex and the language is overly formal. This screens the physics involved. A course with Giancoli becomes an exercise in algebra,(I call this equation slinging), and not a course in Physics.
If you want a real understanding of the physics, get Hewitt’s Conceptual Physics. It is far more intellectually challenging than G., and gives the reader a real understanding of the laws and principles of physics. If you then want a mathematical treatment, that old standby Halliday and Resnick (or Resnick and Halliday depending upon the edition)is still hard to beat. A used Hewitt and H & R are more than adequate and far less expensive than Giancoli.
Rating: 3 / 5
#4 by J. A. Barlow on June 27, 2010 - 1:48 pm
I have used Giancoli for several years for my AP-B Physics Class which I typically cover in just one year as opposed to the recommended two years. I have found that the Giancoli 6th edition is a great resource for the students to use when I am hitting them with all of Physics for the first time. Giancoli covers the fundamentals extremely well and then builds upon them with examples to create critical thinking.
The only negative I have with the book is the fact that many of the problems are not SI based. In the AP exam they deal only with Kilograms, Meters and Seconds and I really would rather have them focus on problem solving rather than have to convert units first.
Rating: 4 / 5
#5 by Mina Laia on June 27, 2010 - 3:46 pm
This book has some great diagrams and a lot of interesting problems, but learning from this book is very difficult.
The text is lacking: A lot of things are missing that would really help students understand some of the more difficult concepts. I like the Walker text much better. Walker also has a lot of great diagrams, but the text is much easier to follow. Walker seems to intuitively know what you are unsure of and answers the questions in the text before you have to ask them.
Rating: 2 / 5