[Nomadofthehills]

Hey, I will be taking a course in engineering physics next semester, but I want to REALLY learn it. Are there any good books that you have found for the beginning physics student (ie someone who wants to learn physics and not someone who HAS to take physics)?

Thanks

[Monte314]

Might I make a suggestion?

The greatest challenge that physics students face is not mastering the concepts of physics, but managing the mathematics required to make them actionable. The typical university physics student finds that their work in mathematics is usually about a year behind what they need for their physics courses.

I suggest that the *best* way for an entering physics undergrad to prepare is to do a thorough revue of their mathematics: algebra, trigonometry (especially!), and coordinate geometry (vectors, graphing). If you haven't studied calculus yet, you should pick up a light intro to that, and, if possible, some linear algebra.

Trust me on this.

[Nomadofthehills]

Oh, I am not a physics major, I am a wildlife science major haha. I took calculus in high school, and had a horrible physics course so I know the basics. I will look into my math though, thanks for the suggestion.

We have to take one physics course as a requirement, so I decided to take the engineering physics instead of physics 101, as a challenge.

[Kisai]

	Originally Posted by Nomadofthehills To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Hey, I will be taking a course in engineering physics next semester, but I want to REALLY learn it. Are there any good books that you have found for the beginning physics student (ie someone who wants to learn physics and not someone who HAS to take physics)? Thanks

Physics 101 is just kinematics. Your success is going to be dependent on memorizing formulae, getting the hang of vector algebra, and correctly labelling force diagrams. It really shouldn't be that difficult at all.

[Nomadofthehills]

Right, but I want more than that, something to supplement the basics.

[Arcani]

	Originally Posted by Nomadofthehills To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Oh, I am not a physics major, I am a wildlife science major haha. I took calculus in high school, and had a horrible physics course so I know the basics. I will look into my math though, thanks for the suggestion. We have to take one physics course as a requirement, so I decided to take the engineering physics instead of physics 101, as a challenge.

I'd like to give you suggestions, but I'm not really sure what your engineering physics course covers. The difference between engineering physics and applied physics, in my college, is just extra engineering courses; the physics curriculum is generally the same (just a couple courses dropped in favor of engineering ones).

I will also second Monte's suggestion, brush up on your math, particularly calculus, coordinate geometry and some vector calculus. Linear algebra will probably not be a big factor in an intro level physics course.

I guess I should mention, I'm a 4th year applied physics student at my university.