Physics I For Dummies (For Dummies (Math & Science))

I am having trouble in a college physics class that uses the book Modern Physics and the master physics website. I got this as a study aid. I did not intend for it to replace the textbook only supplement it. The book did not contain the formulas that I need. That is why I am only giving it 2 stars.

While the book definitely covers (and for the most part clearly explains) the basic topics, the Kindle version is seriously, seriously flawed. The images of the equations do not scale up when viewed (which isn't uncommon in Kindle books). They are, effectively, useless. The end result is that the reader is hampered by not being able to clearly see exactly what the author means. Unfortunately, it really ruins things. In addition, the formatting for the Kindle seems to have been an afterthought, with no consideration for screen resolution, etc. Things are just crammed into the screen. The problem is entirely the publisher's fault, not the author's. I'd stick with the print version.

It has been distressing to find out that the professor who wrote this has died, so I cannot ask him any questions. And yes, I have questions. I may read differently than others do: I have been an editor, and don't read casually. Overall, this isn't bad. But, I wish I could have looked at it before its publication....

The scanned images of equations are so small as to be illegible. Zooming in simply reveals an unusable low-res image. Complained but received unsatisfactory email response (asked to provide 'examples' - can't they just look at their own Kindle book?). Was also advised to lodge complaint via Kindle App on Ipad which received no response at all. Ended up buying print edition from local bookshop. Not going to buy any more Kindle books that contain anything other than text. Have had similar problems with useless scans of maps etc. in travel guides.

My daughter sailed through high-school Physics with the help of Physics for Dummies (by the same author). My son just picked up Physics I for Dummies to get a head start on the freshman Physics I class he'll be taking at college in the fall. Guess what--he's reading it for fun!

I checked out the book before he bought it to make sure it's what he needs. I was impressed. Physics I for Dummies matches what's taught in the first semester of a year-long, high-school or college course on Physics. The good part, as my son tells me, is that Physics I for Dummies is a lot clearer and more fun to read than a textbook. If you want to understand physics in a relaxed, clear way, this is your book.

The book covers the four main subject areas of a Physics I class: motion, force, energy, and thermodynamics.

Part I deals with measurements, speed, acceleration, and vectors in a clear and humorous way. Each point is illustrated with at least one example, and the examples are well-chosen, such as cars turning corners, refrigerators sliding down ramps, and golf balls in flight.

Part II is all about force, such as the force of friction, the forces that cause acceleration, and the forces that spin objects around. Examples include ice skates, hockey pucks, the moon, hanging a sign outside a store, and more.

Part III covers energy, both potential and kinetic, as well as converting back and forth between these two forms. Examples cover things like roller coasters, springs, kicking a football, and so on.

Part IV is about thermodynamics, including such topics as temperature, heat, and engine efficiency. Here the examples show adding an ice cube to a cup of coffee, melting ice cream, what happens when steam and ice cubes mix, and more.

Here's an overview of the book's contents:

Part I: Putting Physics into Motion

Chapter 1: Using Physics to Understand Your World

Chapter 2: Reviewing Physics Measurement and Math Fundamentals

Chapter 3: Exploring the Need for Speed

Chapter 4: Following Directions: Motion in Two Dimensions

Part II: May the Forces of Physics Be with You

Chapter 5: When Push Comes to Shove: Force

Chapter 6: Getting Down with Gravity, Inclined Planes, and Friction

Chapter 7: Circling around Rotational Motion and Orbits

Chapter 8: Go with the Flow: Looking at Pressure in Fluids

Part III: Manifesting the Energy to Work

Chapter 9: Getting Some Work Out of Physics

Chapter 10: Putting Objects in Motion: Momentum and Impulse

Chapter 11: Winding Up with Angular Kinetics

Chapter 12: Round and Round with Rotational Dynamics

Chapter 13: Springs & Things: Simple Harmonic Motion

Part IV: Laying Down the Laws of Thermodynamics

Chapter 14: Turning Up the Heat with Thermodynamics

Chapter 15: Here, Take My Coat: How Heat Is Transferred

Chapter 16: In the Best of All Possible Worlds: The Ideal Gas Law

Chapter 17: Heat and Work: The Laws of Thermodynamics

Part V: The Part of Tens

Chapter 18: Ten Physics Heroes

Chapter 19: Ten Wild Physics Theories

Physics I students can't go wrong with this book. It's interesting, clear, and fun to read. My son is actually looking forward to the start of his Physics class!

I am attempting physics for the 2nd time Fall 2017. I am loving this book along with the workbook so far. Because I am repeating, the topics are much more clear to me. I need physics to move forward. I am hoping for an A when classes start. Thank goodness for Steve Holzner

It's difficult to make sense of the formulas contained in the first 4 chapters because they're not summarized very well. The lack of a good summary greatly degrades the usability of this book, especially for a dummy new to the topic.

s = vt, or some form of it, occurs in the first 3 chapters. It's first shown as s = (1/2)at^2 on page 24 (and again on page 44). It's shown as v = s/t on page 26 and 32. Then it becomes s = (v-bar)t on page 34 (and again on page 43). On page 44, it's back to the form we saw on page 24.

How does the variable s equal both vt and v-bar t? (s = vt && s = v-bar t)?? Dummies want to know. The switching between v and v-bar is confusing. It would be helpful to have a clear explanation of why we're using the 1/2 quantity (and its reciprocal). Why do we switch from deltas–a = (delta v)/(delta t)–to using 1/2(v1 + v2)?

I want to like this book, but several days of studying have left me frustrated. 2 stars for now.

this book just tells you the laws of physics basically.
doesn't really go deeply into the topics.

basically it says an object moves because friction, etc.
but doesn't explain the logic involved, like all the forces involved, and what happens, and why it happens.
just say's it moves because friction, and a subtle joke.

i don't recommend not even for a supplement to a physics class.
i only recommend if you are on an airplane and want something to read.