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Hey,

My textbook really sucks and the only thing it is good for is the hard problems. The teacher doesn't help either. I really need a review book that will help me with AP Physics B. I just need one good one, please!

Thanks

By Ecnerwalc (Ecnerwalc) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 06:09 pm: Edit

what's your textbook? The AP Physics exam does contain hard problems.

By Thunder77 (Thunder77) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 07:18 pm: Edit

I have CollegePhysics by Serway and Faughn

By Ecnerwalc (Ecnerwalc) on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 08:55 pm: Edit

The one with the surfer? I have that book as a reference. I use Giancoli's Physics at school. It goes pretty in depth and has medium to hard problems. My opinion about CollegePhysics is that it presents the basic concepts well and plainly. It's good for a BASIC review of physics. I haven't started looking for a prep book yet, but I've heard that Barron's, PR's, and possibly Schaum's study guide to College physics are good choices. (I might use some of these) The main thing is to practice everyday to understand the concepts and to do problems quickly when you're actually taking the exam. So, practice everyday!

By Magoo112 (Magoo112) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 12:54 am: Edit

I <3 my new College Physics book.

By Cybernetica (Cybernetica) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 03:52 am: Edit

Ok, so I don't know about you other physics geniuses out there but, to put it kindly, let's just say that pretty much every physics textbook (AND STUDY GUIDE) I ever tried to deal with in my hs career royally sucked. This included:

-Serway
-Halliday
-Giancoli
-Wolfowitz

And countless others. Even the infallible PR study guide failed me miserably on this count. Don't even mention Baron's.

For mastering physics on your own, the following resources are invaluable:

-Fishbane's Physics for Scientists and Engineers (for more advanced C'ish type coverage)

-Knight's Physics for Scientists and Engineers (GREAT FUNDAMENTALS...No it's not 'conceptual' drivel, has the basic calculus, etc, but is a GREAT intro to the subject if you done little/nothing with it before)

-The Mechanical Universe Videos (available free online at http://www.learner.org/resources/series42.html
(you register for an account and put in an email address they won't check the validity of)...Fast forward past the music mr Caltech, lol, and get to the good stuff on each video or you might go crazy after a a while, but its nonetheless a GREAT series...especially since you can watch it over and over again from the comfort of your computer monitor...

-And finally, the FREE light and matter.com book series. Yes, you heard me, one of the best physics resources is available as a freely downloadable internet ebook...mindboggling, eh?

The "advanced" one (probably goes a bit beyond C, but is still VERY, VERY clear) is "simple nature" available at http://www.lightandmatter.com/area1sn.html

The more "standard" one (GREAT clarity and reinforcement though probably not comprehensive enough on its own for the B exam) is the light and matter series, 6 ebooks in total I think, on each of the 'core' physics subjects....available at

http://www.lightandmatter.com/area1book1.html
http://www.lightandmatter.com/area1book2.html
http://www.lightandmatter.com/area1book3.html
http://www.lightandmatter.com/area1book4.html
http://www.lightandmatter.com/area1book5.html

and

http://www.lightandmatter.com/area1book6.html

I hope that is helpful,
S

By Ecnerwalc (Ecnerwalc) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 07:47 pm: Edit

yes, excellent. *rubs hands together*

By Peach395 (Peach395) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 08:22 am: Edit

Well, to state the obvious, get an AP Physics prep book!! They don't cover the entire realm of physics, just what you need for the AP. Best one on the market is the PR book. It's huge, too. Covers B&C. I think it's the biggest prep book on my shelf!! LOL.

By Cybernetica (Cybernetica) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 12:50 am: Edit

As I tried to make clear in my post:

(in my own opinion...)

AP Physics is one topic where, by and large, the prep books all SUCK.

This most definitely includes the PR book.

Stay the **** away.

Try out what I suggest above instead. AP Phys is not like AP Psych or Human Geography...you cannot skim the material and basically ace it...YOU MUST HAVE THE CONCEPTS DOWN COLD or you are royally screwed.

Physics is neither math nor memorization -- it is a game of iteratively deeper understandings, and the only way to conquer it is to try and seek out explanations that make sense and problems that really further your own grasp of the same fundamental material.

But, as I always say, do what works best for you. My own experience might just be unusual.

Good luck!
SSG