Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Extended Version

Rating:
Summary: Great For HS AP Physics B/C
Review: I am very surprised at some of the...reviews for this book. I rate it an equal to Serway's Physics For Scientists and Engineers, Volumes 1 & 2, Forth Edition. It has a smooth sequence of topics in very logical order.The illustrations and sample problems are clear, very clean arrangements. Before you are influenced by poor reviews... type in "Paul A. Tipler" in and search-read some of the German or other foreign reviews. Most reviews are excellent.

Rating:
Summary: Is the purpose of a book to learn?
Review: I had Physics for Scientists and Engineers extended version for physics III. I thaught that the book was great because the pages seem very pictorial it seems very popular, since different parts of this book are sold separatley. However, the result of using this book for my first time was failing the class. The book was unreliable for independent study, in the sense that concepts are not clearley explained and the choice of word complicate more the understanding of the material. There are many equations in which the variables are not explained in the proceeding paragrahps, and the fanciness of the subcripts sometimes makes the equations confusing. The bottom line: it is not clearley written. There are a lot of derivations from line integrals and vector equations whose preceiding steps dont follow immediatley from its theory. The extended edition is too heavy, too big to carry with other books specifically when we deal with scientists and engineers . . .

Rating:
Summary: Is the purpose of a book to learn?
Review: I had Physics for Scientists and Engineers extended version for physics III. I thaught that the book was great because the pages seem very pictorial it seems very popular, since different parts of this book are sold separatley. However, the result of using this book for my first time was failing the class. The book was unreliable for independent study, in the sense that concepts are not clearley explained and the choice of word complicate more the understanding of the material. There are many equations in which the variables are not explained in the proceeding paragrahps, and the fanciness of the subcripts sometimes makes the equations confusing. The bottom line: it is not clearley written. There are a lot of derivations from line integrals and vector equations whose preceiding steps dont follow immediatley from its theory. The extended edition is too heavy, too big to carry with other books specifically when we deal with scientists and engineers . . .

Rating:
Summary: This is just volume 1
Review: I thought this book is extended version, why not, seller never declare this. If the book was divided as volume 1, 2, 3, why seller doesn't mention this is volume 1? Apparently the seller wants you have got wrong idea about this book. It may be strategy of selling, but harms the customers.

Rating:
Summary: Clear explanations in logical sequence with great examples
Review: I use this text as a resource when teaching AP Physics at a private high school. The book is written in a way that a high school student can understand. It gradually introduces Calculus while developing physical concepts. The examples are classic and completely relevant. Perhaps the greatest strength of the book is the nature of the problems at the end of each chapter. Students often find problem solving next to impossible. Tipler helps them get started with confidence building exercises grouped by section. These basic exercises help students get comfortable with the concepts so that harder problems which ask them synthesize several ideas become manageable. Ultimately, even the most gifted students (including their teacher) can find challenges while the slower learner need not be left in the dust. It's the best introductory text I have yet encountered.

Rating:
Summary: I'd take Halliday and Resnick anyday over Tipler
Review: I use Tipler in my intro physics classes and I can't stand this book. I am always resorting to Halliday and Resnick (Fundamentals of Physics) or Giancoli (Physics for Scientists and Engineers) for a better explanation. Tipler drags out the explantion. Whereas other books like H&R use 1/2 as many words to describe a physical concept. Tipler's book has a lack of GOOD examples to illustrate the principles of physics. I also think Tipler did a poor job integrating the photos and pictures into the text. Tipler's book also lacks application to the real world and seems to have less of an emphasis on problem-solving unlike H&R. All this book did for me was turn me off to the wonderful subject of physics.

Rating:
Summary: Tipler is not worth it
Review: I used this book for college-level Physics I and II and found that I was constantly referring to more succinct outside resources that did a much better job of presenting the material. I was very disappointed with the solutions manual and quizes that are available as additional resources. They were riddled with errors. I would recommend reading a few more reviews for other similar texts before buying this one. I am sure that there is something better out there.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely Not My First Choice
Review: I used this book for college-level Physics I and II and found that I was constantly referring to more succinct outside resources that did a much better job of presenting the material. I was very disappointed with the solutions manual and quizes that are available as additional resources. They were riddled with errors. I would recommend reading a few more reviews for other similar texts before buying this one. I am sure that there is something better out there.

Rating:
Summary: Clear, concise... can't ask for anything more!
Review: I used this book for three semesters as a physics major. I've T.A.ed the non-major courses and tutored those in it(which use a different book than the majors do) and helped my brother with his physics (using yet another* different book) and I can honestly say that none of them explained the concepts nearly as well as this book does; even the students I helped agreed with me. The examples are clear and well explained, and the summary at the end of each chapter is a wonderful study tool that not many other books bother to include. They only include equations - he includes equations and concepts. The chapters themselves are well structured and carefully thought-out. I explains things well, yet doesn't leave anything important out. I'm graduating next year as a physics/math major, and I still use it as an invaliable reference. Wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: Poor explanations, making simple things confusing.
Review: I'm told that previous editions were much more comprehensive in explanations; this fourth edition explains poorly, and our school (University of Illinois at Chicago) will not be using it after this semester. Average test scores this semester have fallen up to 50% over previous semesters. I've had to check out other books from the Science Library to fill in the gaps. Avoid this book.