Fundamentals of Physics Extended

This book arms engineers with the tools to apply key physics concepts in the field. A number of the key figures in the new edition are revised to provide a more inviting and informative treatment. The figures are broken into component parts with supporting commentary so that they can more readily see the key ideas. Material from The Flying Circus is incorporated into the chapter opener puzzlers, sample problems, examples and end-of-chapter problems to make the subject more engaging. Checkpoints enable them to check their understanding of a question with some reasoning based on the narrative or sample problem they just read. Sample Problems also demonstrate how engineers can solve problems with reasoned solutions.

Customer Reviews:

Stick to the older edition

By Archimedes - August 1, 2011

Ok the bad rating isn't really about the material inside the book, because that in itself is as good as any other textbook and is really insightful. The rating is more for the lack of updates and the price of this book. For 170 you get pretty much the same things as the 8th edition, with only changes in the problem numbering and their variables. That's it. I have both 8th and 9th editions. The ONLY reason I bought the 9th edition was because of the problem specific questions that were asked in my class that came directly from the book. This edition doesn't even come with the WileyPlus code which is one of the best parts and has so many resources such as videos and detailed explanations. Don't buy this version of the book. Buy a cheap 8th edition and a WileyPlus code if you can.

Great text

By Charlie P - August 17, 2008

I've used both Halliday and Giancoli, though the latter I used as a Freshman back in 2002 for first semester physics and the former I used as a post-bac student in 2006/07 when I completed the second semester.

I do have to strongly disagree with previous reviewers that the problems are of a difficulty beyond that of the chapters. I had an amazing teacher, but often I found that a problem wasn't exactly like one he went over in class--which is a good thing as the only way to learn physics meaningfully is to spend long hours working away and trying to figure out a problem until that "aha!" moment. There really is no better way to grasp the fundamentals--and this is extremely important depending on your major (such as engineering).

I also found the text to be lighthearted--something you rarely find in texts these days. There are many problems that made me quietly laugh while in the library, often involving penguins or a jumping armadillo (when I later TA'd physics,... read more

Two semesters for the price of one

By Charles J. Powell "Charlie Powell" - October 6, 2008

For my first semester of physics in college, I needed to purchase volume 1 of this textbook, which is the only thing my campus bookstore had. But for next semester I would need the second volume. I figured I would just buy this one and use it for both. For anyone wondering if there are any differences between this and just Volume 1, there are exactly 0. The page numbers and problems are exactly the same. I compared Volume 1 with this copy after I got it just to make sure. Definitely consider getting this for multiple semesters of physics.