Physics: Home

Physics, which comes from the Greek phúsis, meaning “nature,” is concerned with describing the interactions of energy, matter, space, and time to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that underlie every phenomenon.  (From: University Physics Volume 1. Senior Contributing Authors: Moebs, Ling, and Sanny)

Physics is the study of the laws that determine the structure of the universe with reference to the matter and energy of which it consists. The physics of astronomical bodies and their interactions is known as astrophysics, the physics of the earth is known as geophysics, and the study of the physical aspects of biology is called biophysics.  (From Oxford Dictionary of Physics, 8th Edition. Law and Rennie, Eds.)

PHYS 1114 - General Physics I
General Physics I is an algebra based course with a laboratory. This course includes classical mechanics in one and two dimensions.  This course may also include thermodynamics, fluids, oscillations, and/or waves.

PHYS 1214 - General Physics II 
General Physics II is an algebra based course with a laboratory. This course is a continuation of PHYS 1114 and includes electricity, magnetism, circuits, and optics.  This course may also include thermodynamics, fluids, modern physics, oscillations, and/or waves. 

PHYS 2034 - Physics I with Calculus 
Physics for engineering and science students. Calculus-based course covering Newtonian mechanics. 

PHYS 2124 - Physics II with Calculus 
Physics for engineering and science students. A continuation of PHYS 2034 dealing with magnetism, electricity, and light. 

University Physics (the textbook for Physics 1 and 2 with Calculus) has been developed to meet the scope and sequence of most university physics courses and provides a foundation for a career in mathematics, science, or engineering. The book provides an important opportunity for students to learn the core concepts of physics and understand how those concepts apply to their lives and to the world around them. 

                                                     

Volume 1 covers mechanics, sound, oscillations, and waves.                 
Volume 2 covers thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism.

Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Raymond A Serway and John W Jewett :
From the Preface: "This introductory Physics textbook has two main objectives: to provide the student with a clear and logical presentation of the basic concepts and principles of physics, and to strengthen an understanding of the concepts and principles through a broad range of interesting applications to the real world."

Sears and Zemansky's University Physics: With Modern Physics Technology Update:
From the Preface: "When the first edition of University Physics by Francis W. Sears and Mark W. Zemansky was published in 1949, it was revolutionary among calculus-based physics textbooks in its emphasis on the fundamental principles of physics and how to apply them."

The Feynman Lectures on Physics
From the Preface: "Feynman’s lectures are as powerful today as when first published, thanks to Feynman’s unique physics insights and pedagogy. Perhaps no other set of physics books has had such wide impact, for so long."