College Physics, 8th Edition

Book Preface

Coltege PhJsi.cs is written for a one-year course in introductory physics usually taken by students majoring in biology, the health professions, and other disciplines including environmental, earth, and social sciences, and technical fields such as architecture. The mathematical techniques used in this book include algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, but not calculus.

This textbook, which covers the standard topics in classical physics and 20thcentury physics, is divided into six pans. Part I (Chapters 1-9) deals with Ne,..,,~ tonian mechanics and the physics of fluids; Part 2 (Chapters ]0-L2) is concerned ‘with heat and thermodynamics; Pan 3 (Chapters 13 and 14) covers wave motion and sound; Pan 4 (Chapters 15-21) develops the concepts of electricity and magnetism; Part 5 (Chapters 22-25) treats the propen.ies or light and the field of geometric and vave optics; and Part 6 (Chapters 26-30) provides an introduction to special relativity, quantum physics, atomic physics, and nuclear physics.

OBJECTIVES

The main o~jectives of this introductory textbook are twofold: to provide the student with a clear and logical presentation of the basic concepts and principles of physics, and to strengthen an understanding of the concepts and principles through a broad range of interesting applications to the real world. To meet those objectives, we have emphasized sound physical arguments and problem solving methodology. At the same time, -le have attempted to motivate the student through practical examples that demonstrate the role of physics in other disciplines.