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Essential Calculus-based Physics Study Guide Workbook: The Laws of Motion
LEVEL: This book covers physics with calculus at the university level. (If instead you're looking for a trig-based physics book, search for ISBN 1941691145.) Note that the calculus-based edition includes all of material from the trig-based book, plus ample coverage of the calculus-based material.DESCRIPTION: This combination of physics study guide and workbook focuses on essential problem-solving skills and Fully solved examples with explanations show you step-by-step how to solve standard university physics problems.Handy charts tabulate the symbols, what they mean, and their SI units.Problem-solving strategies are broken down into steps and illustrated with examples.Answers, hints, intermediate answers, and explanations are provided for every practice exercise.Terms and concepts which are essential to solving physics problems are defined and explained.VOLUME: This volume covers motion, including uniform acceleration, calculus-based motion, vector addition, projectile motion, Newton's laws, center of mass integrals, conservation of energy, collisions, the scalar and vector product, rotation, moment of inertia integrals, satellites, and more. (Vol. 2 covers electricity and magnetism, while Vol. 3 covers waves, fluids, heat, sound, and light. Vol.'s 2-3 will be released in the spring of 2017.)AUTHOR: The author, Dr. Chris McMullen, has over 20 years of experience teaching university physics in California, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana (and has also taught physics to gifted high school students). Dr. McMullen currently teaches physics at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He has also published a half-dozen papers on the collider phenomenology of superstring-inspired large extra dimensions. Chris McMullen earned his Ph.D. in particle physics from Oklahoma State University (and his M.S. in physics from California State University, Northridge).Dr. McMullen is well-known physics students in challenging ideas through creativitybreaking difficult problems down into manageable stepsproviding clear and convincing explanations to subtle issueshis mastery of physics and strong background in mathematicshelping students become more fluent in practical math skillsMATH REVIEW: Separate chapters cover essential calculus skills (like derivatives and relevant integration techniques) as well as essential algebra, geometry, and trigonometry skills.SOLUTIONS: The back of the book includes a detailed section of hints, intermediate answers, final answers, and explanations to help you solve each problem one step at a time. It's like having a physics tutor in the back of the book. (However, if you would prefer complete solutions, search for ISBN 194169117X.)USES: This study guide workbook can be used how to solve fundamental problems in physics with calculusfind fully-solved examples of standard physics problemsdevelop fluency in physics via practice exercises that include answers, hints, and explanationsquickly find the most essential physics terms, concepts, and formulasprepare for the AP physics examreview for standardized exams, such as AP Physics or the fundamentals of the GRE.
- GenresPhysics
Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2016
4 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Chris McMullen
181 books322 followersDr. Chris McMullen has over 20 years of experience teaching university physics in California, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. Dr. McMullen is also an author of math and science books. Whether in the classroom or as a writer, Dr. McMullen loves sharing knowledge and the art of motivating and engaging students.
Chris McMullen earned his Ph.D. in phenomenological high-energy physics (particle physics) from Oklahoma State University in 2002. Originally from California, Dr. McMullen earned his Master's degree from California State University, Northridge, where his thesis was in the field of electron spin resonance.
Dr. McMullen is well-known for:
• engaging students in challenging ideas through creativity
• breaking difficult problems down into manageable steps
• providing clear and convincing explanations to subtle issues
• his mastery of physics and strong background in mathematics
• helping students become more fluent in practical math skills
As a physics teacher, Dr. McMullen observed that many students lack fluency in fundamental math skills. In an effort to help students of all ages and levels master basic math skills, he published a series of math workbooks on arithmetic, fractions, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus called the Improve Your Math Fluency Series. Dr. McMullen has also published a variety of science books, including introductions to basic astronomy and chemistry concepts in addition to physics workbooks.
Dr. McMullen is very passionate about teaching. Many students and observers have been impressed with the transformation that occurs when he walks into the classroom, and the interactive engaged discussions that he leads during class time. Dr. McMullen is well-known for drawing monkeys and using them in his physics examples and problems, using his creativity to inspire students. A stressed-out student is likely to be told to throw some bananas at monkeys, smile, and think happy physics thoughts.
Dr. McMullen first published The Visual Guide to Extra Dimensions, Volumes 1 and 2, to share his passion for the geometry and physics of the fourth dimension. Dr. McMullen has coauthored a half-dozen articles on current and future collider searches for large extra dimensions.
In addition to writing and teaching, Dr. McMullen enjoys Scrabble, golf, and chess.
Chris McMullen earned his Ph.D. in phenomenological high-energy physics (particle physics) from Oklahoma State University in 2002. Originally from California, Dr. McMullen earned his Master's degree from California State University, Northridge, where his thesis was in the field of electron spin resonance.
Dr. McMullen is well-known for:
• engaging students in challenging ideas through creativity
• breaking difficult problems down into manageable steps
• providing clear and convincing explanations to subtle issues
• his mastery of physics and strong background in mathematics
• helping students become more fluent in practical math skills
As a physics teacher, Dr. McMullen observed that many students lack fluency in fundamental math skills. In an effort to help students of all ages and levels master basic math skills, he published a series of math workbooks on arithmetic, fractions, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus called the Improve Your Math Fluency Series. Dr. McMullen has also published a variety of science books, including introductions to basic astronomy and chemistry concepts in addition to physics workbooks.
Dr. McMullen is very passionate about teaching. Many students and observers have been impressed with the transformation that occurs when he walks into the classroom, and the interactive engaged discussions that he leads during class time. Dr. McMullen is well-known for drawing monkeys and using them in his physics examples and problems, using his creativity to inspire students. A stressed-out student is likely to be told to throw some bananas at monkeys, smile, and think happy physics thoughts.
Dr. McMullen first published The Visual Guide to Extra Dimensions, Volumes 1 and 2, to share his passion for the geometry and physics of the fourth dimension. Dr. McMullen has coauthored a half-dozen articles on current and future collider searches for large extra dimensions.
In addition to writing and teaching, Dr. McMullen enjoys Scrabble, golf, and chess.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 8, 2019
The content of this book is well considered and easily digestible. A problem that I had with the book was the formatting and finish. It could be that I've been conditioned from previous textbooks to expect a specific type of paper, margins, and general structure but whatever the reason, this book's finish missed the mark for me.
With that said, given the price of the text, I think all of that is forgiven. Upon last check, this workbook is $20 on Amazon. That's a steal for what you get.
With that said, given the price of the text, I think all of that is forgiven. Upon last check, this workbook is $20 on Amazon. That's a steal for what you get.
January 15, 2024
Sooooo good, challenging but not too hard that you will not want to proceed. I'd say any mechanical engineer would benefit from reading this one right here. Give it a try if you love physic!!! 🔥 ❤️ 💀 ☠️ 🏴☠️
April 20, 2018
I received this book through Goodreads Giveaways for an honest review.
This is a great study guide and workbook. I would recommend it.
This is a great study guide and workbook. I would recommend it.
August 8, 2025
This is one of the best physics guide , I have ever seen
August 12, 2022
This is the first of three books covering introductory upper level high school/first year university level physics. This first volume deals with the classical laws of motion. It assumes a basic knowledge of algebra. It provides a basic introduction to vectors, caculus and trigonometry as these become necessary to understand the physics. Obviously, some previous knowledge of the relevant maths is helpful. But not necessary.
The great bulk and weight of this book, with thick pages and large type, have a certain appeal. And the construction is good, with a good binding. But it is difficult for old arthritic or small hands to manoeuvre. I wanted to carry it around to read on the train but this wasn't easy.I wanted to carry it around because it is a really excellent study guide. And it could easily be made more manageable by removing al the great empty spaces provided in the text for answering the study questions. The problems could be dealt with on a notepad.
The writer is a very good teacher, anticipating the problems and questions [and memory issues] of the student in a way which is, sadly, very rare indeed. Dr McMullen introduces topics in just the correct order to make for a logical, step by step, painfree journey through the material, from physics to maths, back to physics and so on. He provides just enough material on each topic to allow for comprehension and rapid progress.An amazing accomplishment I think, compared with so many other texts which waste many more words without promoting understanding. I wish I had had this book when I was trying to study physics at school in the 1960's. I highly recommend this study guide to the laws motion and look forward to reading volume 2 on electricity and magnetism.Thank you Dr McMullen
It is intetesting that this, i think self published book is so much better than many refereed publications from academic publishing houses. I suspect this has something to do with writers and referees being bad teachers who simply dont know what beginners dont know or have real problems with and need to know.
Obviously it does not explore philosophical issues and problems surrounding the central ideas. It does not look at the historical development of these ideas. But there are plenty of other books that do these things. I very strongly recommend this book to anyone struggling with basic physics. [Two issues: McMullen starts using implicit differentiation in integration by substitution [p 259] without previously introducing it- in the earlier introduction to differentiation. And this section is not the best written in the book)
The great bulk and weight of this book, with thick pages and large type, have a certain appeal. And the construction is good, with a good binding. But it is difficult for old arthritic or small hands to manoeuvre. I wanted to carry it around to read on the train but this wasn't easy.I wanted to carry it around because it is a really excellent study guide. And it could easily be made more manageable by removing al the great empty spaces provided in the text for answering the study questions. The problems could be dealt with on a notepad.
The writer is a very good teacher, anticipating the problems and questions [and memory issues] of the student in a way which is, sadly, very rare indeed. Dr McMullen introduces topics in just the correct order to make for a logical, step by step, painfree journey through the material, from physics to maths, back to physics and so on. He provides just enough material on each topic to allow for comprehension and rapid progress.An amazing accomplishment I think, compared with so many other texts which waste many more words without promoting understanding. I wish I had had this book when I was trying to study physics at school in the 1960's. I highly recommend this study guide to the laws motion and look forward to reading volume 2 on electricity and magnetism.Thank you Dr McMullen
It is intetesting that this, i think self published book is so much better than many refereed publications from academic publishing houses. I suspect this has something to do with writers and referees being bad teachers who simply dont know what beginners dont know or have real problems with and need to know.
Obviously it does not explore philosophical issues and problems surrounding the central ideas. It does not look at the historical development of these ideas. But there are plenty of other books that do these things. I very strongly recommend this book to anyone struggling with basic physics. [Two issues: McMullen starts using implicit differentiation in integration by substitution [p 259] without previously introducing it- in the earlier introduction to differentiation. And this section is not the best written in the book)
October 18, 2016
I received this book from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review...
Overall great book!
Overall great book!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews