Digital library
Textbooks, references and open learning resources.
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Spiral Modern Physics
Paul D'Alessandris · Monroe Community College
In the contents: 7: Nuclear Physics · 7.5: Nuclear Physics (Activities)
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University Physics III: Optics & Modern Physics
OpenStax · LibreTexts
In the contents: 09: Condensed Matter Physics · 9.0A: 9.A: Condensed Matter Physics (Answers) · 9.0E: 9.E: Condensed Matter Physics (Exercises)
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MC : Physics 213 - Modern Physics
Charles Collett · Muhlenberg College
LibreTexts
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UCD: Physics 9D - Modern Physics
Tom Weideman · University of California, Davis
Physics 9D introduces the 20th-century topics of special relativity and quantum theory to science and engineering majors.
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Radically Modern Introductory Physics Text I
David J. Raymond · New Mexico Tech
The idea for a “radically modern” introductory physics course arose out of frustration with the standard two-semester treatment of the subject. It is basically impossible to incorporate a significant amount of “modern physics” (meaning post-19th century!) in that format. The authors feel that an introductory physics course for non-majors should make an attempt to cover the great accomplishments of physics in the 20th century, since they form such an important part of our scientific culture.
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Radically Modern Introductory Physics Text II
David J. Raymond · New Mexico Tech
The idea for a “radically modern” introductory physics course arose out of frustration with the standard two-semester treatment of the subject. Given this structure, a knowledgeable instructor able to offer one-on-one time with students (as in our recitation sections) is essential for student success. The text is most likely to be useful in a sophomore-level course introducing physics majors to the broad world of physics viewed from a modern perspective.
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Electromagnetics and Applications
David H. Staelin · Massachusetts Institute of Technology
This text explores electromagnetic phenomena in modern applications, including wireless and optical communications, circuits, computer interconnects and peripherals, microwave communications and radar, antennas, sensors, micro-electromechanical systems, and power generation and transmission. Fundamentals include quasistatic and dynamic solutions to Maxwell's equations; waves, radiation, and diffraction; coupling to media and structures; guided waves; resonance; and acoustic analogs.
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Physics 156 - A Cosmology Workbook
Lloyd Knox · University of California, Davis
By reading and also working through the exercises the student in their third or fourth year of a physics major will learn of the broad outlines of our modern conception of the cosmos. Subjects covered include space curvature, space expansion, redshifts, cosmological distance measures, Newtonian gravitational dynamics in an expanding universe, the contents of the cosmos including dark matter and dark energy, and observable relics of the hot and dense universe of 14 billion years ago.
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Introduction to the Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Photons (Benedict)
Mihály Benedict · University of Szeged
These lecture notes have been prepared to give an introduction into the foundations of atomic and molecular physics with an emphasis on the interaction of these atomic systems with light, and in more general, with electromagnetic fields. Modern technology is based more and more on the laws and properties of micro-world, so it seems necessary to understand the most important rules and methods of this field of a physics student.
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Spacetime Physics
Edwin F. Taylor & John Archibald Wheeler · Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spacetime Physics embodies what the authors had learned during an additional quarter century of teaching and research. They updated the text to reflect the immense strides in physics during the same period and modernized and increased the number of exercises, for which the First Edition was famous. Enrichment boxes provide expanded coverage of intriguing topics. Sample problems encourage students to exercise their newfound power.
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Energy and Human Ambitions on a Finite Planet
Thomas Murphy · eScholarship · 2021
Where is humanity going? How realistic is a future of fusion and space colonies? What constraints are imposed by physics, by resource availability, and by human psychology? Are default expectations grounded in reality? This textbook, written for a general-education audience, aims to address these questions without either the hype or the indifference typical of many books. The message throughout is that humanity faces a broad sweep of foundational problems as we inevitably transition away from fossil fuels and confront planetary limits in a host of unprecedented ways—a shift whose scale and probable rapidity offers little historical guidance. Salvaging a decent future requires keen awareness, quantitative assessment, deliberate preventive action, and—above all—recognition that prevailing assumptions about human identity and destiny have been cruelly misshapen by the profoundly unsustainable trajectory of the last 150 years. The goal is to shake off unfounded and unexamined expectations, while elucidating the relevant physics and encouraging greater facility in quantitative reasoning. After addressing limits to growth, population dynamics, uncooperative space environments, and the current fossil underpinnings of modern civilization, various sources of alternative energy are considered in detail— assessing how they stack up against each other, and which show the greatest potential. Following this is an exploration of systemic human impediments to effective and timely responses, capped by guidelines for individual adaptations resulting in reduced energy and material demands on the planet’s groaning capacity. Appendices provide refreshers on math and chemistry, as well as supplementary material of potential interest relating to cosmology, electric transportation, and an evolutionary perspective on humanity’s place in nature.
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The Adventure of Physics - Vol. IV: The Quantum of Change
Christoph Schiller · Motion Mountain · 1990
This book is written for anybody who is curious about nature and motion. Have you ever asked: Why do people, animals, things, images and space move? The answer leads to many adventures; this volume presents those due to the discovery that there is a smallest change value in nature. This smallest change value, the quantum of action, leads to what is called quantum physics. In the structure of modern physics, quantum physics covers three points; this volume covers the introduction to the point in the lower right: the foundations of quantum theory. The present introduction to quantum physics arose from a threefold aim I have pursued since 1990: to present the basics of motion in a way that is simple, up to date and captivating. In order to be simple, the text focuses on concepts, while keeping mathematics to the necessary minimum. Understanding the concepts of physics is given precedence over using formulae in calculations. The whole text is within the reach of an undergraduate. In order to be up to date, the text is enriched by the many gems – both theoretical and empirical – that are scattered throughout the scientific literature. In order to be captivating, the text tries to startle the reader as much as possible. Read- ing a book on general physics should be like going to a magic show. We watch, we are astonished, we do not believe our eyes, we think, and finally we understand the trick. When we look at nature, we often have the same experience. Indeed, every page presents at least one surprise or provocation for the reader to think about. Numerous interesting challenges are proposed. The motto of the text, die Menschen stärken, die Sachen klären, a famous statement by Hartmut von Hentig on pedagogy, translates as: ‘To fortify people, to clarify things.' Clarifying things – and adhering only to the truth – requires courage, as changing the habits of thought produces fear, often hidden by anger. But by overcoming our fears we grow in strength. And we experience inte
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The Adventure of Physics - Vol. I: Fall, Flow, and Heat
Christoph Schiller · Motion Mountain · 1990
This book is written for anybody who is curious about nature and motion. Curiosity about how people, animals, things, images and space move leads to many adventures. This volume presents the best of them in the domain of everyday life. Carefully observing everyday motion allows us to deduce six essential statements: everyday motion is continuous, conserved, relative, reversible, mirror-invariant – and lazy. Yes, nature is indeed lazy: in every motion, it minimizes change. This text explores how these six results are deduced and how they fit with all those observations that seem to contradict them. In the structure of modern physics, shown in Figure 1, the results on everyday motion form the major part of the starting point at the bottom. The present volume is the first of a six-volume overview of physics. It resulted from a threefold aim I have pursued since 1990: to present motion in a way that is simple, up to date and captivating. In order to be simple, the text focuses on concepts, while keeping mathematics to the necessary minimum. Understanding the concepts of physics is given precedence over using formulae in calculations. The whole text is within the reach of an undergraduate. In order to be up to date, the text is enriched by the many gems – both theoretical and empirical – that are scattered throughout the scientific literature. In order to be captivating, the text tries to startle the reader as much as possible. Read- ing a book on general physics should be like going to a magic show. We watch, we are astonished, we do not believe our eyes, we think, and finally we understand the trick. When we look at nature, we often have the same experience. Indeed, every page presents at least one surprise or provocation for the reader to think about. Numerous interesting challenges are proposed. The motto of the text, die Menschen stärken, die Sachen klären, a famous statement by Hartmut von Hentig on pedagogy, translates as: ‘To fortify people, to clarify things.' C
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University Physics Volume 3
Stephen D. Druger; Alice Kolakowska; Samuel J. Ling; David Anderson · OpenStax, Rice University
University Physics is a three-volume collection that meets the scope and sequence requirements for two- and three-semester calculus-based physics courses. Volume 1 covers mechanics, sound, oscillations, and waves. Volume 2 covers thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism, and Volume 3 covers optics and modern physics. This textbook emphasizes connections between theory and application, making physics concepts interesting and accessible to students while maintaining the mathematical rigor inherent in the subject. Frequent, strong examples focus on how to approach a problem, how to work with the equations, and how to check and generalize the result.
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University Physics Volume 2
Gerald Friedman; Stephen D. Druger; Alice Kolakowska; Samuel J. Ling · OpenStax, Rice University
University Physics is a three-volume collection that meets the scope and sequence requirements for two- and three-semester calculus-based physics courses. Volume 1 covers mechanics, sound, oscillations, and waves. Volume 2 covers thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and Volume 3 covers optics and modern physics. This textbook emphasizes connections between theory and application, making physics concepts interesting and accessible to students while maintaining the mathematical rigor inherent in the subject. Frequent, strong examples focus on how to approach a problem, how to work with the equations, and how to check and generalize the result.
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University Physics Volume 1
Stephen D. Druger; William Moebs; Samuel J. Ling; Jeff Sanny · OpenStax, Rice University
University Physics is a three-volume collection that meets the scope and sequence requirements for two- and three-semester calculus-based physics courses. Volume 1 covers mechanics, sound, oscillations, and waves. Volume 2 covers thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and Volume 3 covers optics and modern physics. This textbook emphasizes connections between theory and application, making physics concepts interesting and accessible to students while maintaining the mathematical rigor inherent in the subject. Frequent, strong examples focus on how to approach a problem, how to work with the equations, and how to check and generalize the result.
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College Physics For AP® Courses 2e
Gregg Wolfe; Erika Gasper; John Stoke; Julie Kretchman · OpenStax, Rice University
College Physics for AP® Courses 2e is designed to engage students in their exploration of physics and help them apply these concepts to the Advanced Placement® test. Because physics is integral to modern technology and other sciences, the book also includes content that goes beyond the scope of the AP® course to further student understanding. The AP® Connection in each chapter directs students to the material they should focus on for the AP® exam, and what content — although interesting — is not necessarily part of the AP® curriculum. This book is Learning List-approved for AP® Physics courses and meets the scope and sequence for these courses. The first edition of College Physics for AP® Courses by OpenStax is available in web view here.
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Physical Science for Educators Volume 1
Timothy Evans, Kylee Ford, Kenneth Henry, Yogita Kumari, Claude Mona & Suzanne Wakim · Coalinga College
In the contents: 01: Elemental Beginnings- Foundations of Physics and Chemistry · 1.02: Chemistry and Physics in Context · 3.2.03: Development of the Modern Periodic Table
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General Physics I: Classical Mechanics
David and G. Simpson and Larry L. Simpson · Prince George's Community College
In the contents: 01: What is Physics · 45.02: Modern Treatment · 66.23: Round-Number Handbook of Physics
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PHYS 2040: General Physics
Neeharika Thakur · Prince George's Community College
In the contents: 08: Introduction to Quantum Physics · 09: Atomic Physics · 9.3: Atomic Physics and Quantum Mechanics