Digital library
Textbooks, references and open learning resources.
External
Open Algebra and Knots
Matthew Salomone · Bridgewater State University
The theory of knots has been well studied since the early 20th century, and has many connections to geometry and topology, and applications to physics, biology, and beyond. We’ll investigate perhaps its most fundamental connection: to algebra. In what ways are knots algebraic objects? How can we use algebraic structures and reasoning to classify knots? And how can this help us to think algebraically beyond the classroom?
External
Statistical Mechanics
Daniel F. Styer · Oberlin College
This is a book about statistical mechanics at the advanced undergraduate level. It assumes a background in classical mechanics through the concept of phase space, in quantum mechanics through the Pauli exclusion principle, and in mathematics through multivariate calculus.
External
Astronomy for Educators
Daniel E. Barth · University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Astronomy for Educators provides new and accomplished K-12 instructors with concepts and projects for low-cost, high-impact STEM classroom instruction that is built around the National Academies National Research Council's K-12 Framework for Science Education.
External
Electromagnetics I
Steven W. Ellingson · Virginia Tech
This book is intended to serve as a primary textbook for a one-semester introductory course in undergraduate engineering electromagnetics, including the following topics: electric and magnetic fields; electromagnetic properties of materials; electromagnetic waves; and devices that operate according to associated electromagnetic principles including resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers, generators, and transmission lines.
External
Relativity Lite - A Pictorial Translation of Einstein’s Theories of Motion and Gravity
Jack C. Straton · Portland State University
Relativity Lite is designed for courses like my 100-student General Astronomy sequence. Relativity Lite translates the mathematical equations conventional relativity texts rely upon into pictures that are readily understood and contain within them the mathematical essentials. This new book would provide the comprehensive coverage needed to understand, in sufficient depth, these three linked areas of our reality.
External
Philosophy
CK12 · LibreTexts
In the contents: 04: Metaphysics
External
The Astronomer's Guide to the Universe
Alessandro Baldi · Butte College
An introductory astronomy textbook covering the solar system, stars, galaxies, cosmology, and the methods astronomers use to understand the universe. Adapted from OpenStax Astronomy for an introductory college astronomy course.
External
Introduction to Soil Science Laboratory Manual (Schwyter and Vaughan)
Anna R. Schwyter and Karen L. Vaughan · University of Wyoming
In the contents: 05: Soil Physics and Water Relations
External
Astrobiology
Debra Fischer, Allyson Sheffield, Joshua Tan, and Lily Ling Zhao · LibreTexts
Interested in what scientists have been doing to investigate the existence of life in the Universe? This text will explore the different avenues that can be taken in trying to answer the question, "Is there life beyond the Earth?"
External
Mechanics and Relativity
Timon Idema · Delft University of Technology
In Mechanics and Relativity, the reader is taken on a tour through time and space. Starting from the basic axioms formulated by Newton and Einstein, the theory of motion at both the everyday and the highly relativistic level is developed without the need of prior knowledge. Applications covered in the book span a wide range of physical phenomena, including rocket motion, spinning tennis rackets and high-energy particle collisions.
External
Stellar Atmospheres
Jeremy Tatum · University of Victoria
This textbook presents a physics-based introduction to stellar atmospheres, covering radiation theory, blackbody radiation, and radiative transfer. It explains how absorption, scattering, and atomic processes shape stellar spectra, linking quantum mechanics and statistical physics to line formation, broadening, and limb darkening, and concludes with tools like the curve of growth for interpreting observations.
External
Applications of Maxwell’s Equation
John F. Cochran and Bretislav Heinrich · Simon Fraser University
This book was developed for an upper-level physics course. Along with a careful exposition of electricity and magnetism, it devotes a chapter to ferromagnets. According to the course description, the topics covered were “electromagnetics, magnetostatics, waves, transmission lines, waveguides, antennas, and radiating systems.”
External
Introductory Quantum Mechanics
Richard Fitzpatrick · University of Texas at Austin
This book is intendedas an introductory course on non-relativistic quantum mechanics. Readers need to be reasonably familiar with Newtonian dynamics, elementary classical electromagnetism and special relativity, the physics and mathematics of waves (including the representation of waves via complex functions), basic probability theory, ordinary and partial differential equations, linear algebra, vector algebra, and Fourier series and transforms.
External
Complex Methods for the Sciences
Y. D. Chong · Nanyang Technological University
An introductory course in mathematical methods for science and engineering students. Topics covered include complex analysis, contour integration, Fourier analysis, and Green's function methods. Mathematical methods are illustrated with examples drawn from physics, with a focus on oscillations and waves. These notes are also available in the form of Jupyter notebooks on Github (GPLv3).
External
Applied Geometric Algebra
László Tisza · Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The mathematical tools employed by physicists have expanded considerably, from differential calculus, vector algebra and geometry, to advanced linear algebra, tensors, Hilbert space, spinors, Group theory and many others. These course notes attempt at bringing conceptual clarity and unity to the application and interpretation of these advanced mathematical tools. In particular, there is an emphasis on the unifying role that Group theory plays in classical, relativistic, and quantum physics.
External
Physical Optics
Jeremy Tatum · University of Victoria
Physical optics, or wave optics, is the branch of optics that studies interference, diffraction, polarization, and other phenomena for which the ray approximation of geometric optics is not valid.
External
Geometric Optics
Jeremy Tatum · University of Victoria
This “book” is not intended to be a vast, definitive treatment of everything that is known about geometric optics. It covers, rather, the geometric optics of first-year students, whom it will either help or confuse yet further, though I hope the former. The part of geometric optics that often causes the most difficulty, particularly in getting the right answer for homework or examination problems, is the vexing matter of sign conventions in lens and mirror calculations.
External
Chem 371: P-Chem 2 to Folow Combined Biophysical and P-Chem 1
Jonathan Gutow · University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
This compilation is aimed at second semester physical chemistry students who's first semester was a combined biophysical and physical chemistry course. It does expect students have enough math background to use concepts from multivariable calculus and calculus based physics.
External
Astronomy 10: The Solar System (Workbook)
Andrew Totah-McCarty · Chabot College
This is a student-led astronomy workbook that is designed for an introductory, college-level astronomy class that focuses on the solar system and planetary science. Celestial observation concepts are included but stars, galaxies, and cosmology are not. The activities are designed to be completed in groups prior to any formal lecture or introduction of material. Lecture summaries (not included) can review, synthesize, and expand on these ideas.
External
Phil 100: Introduction to Philosophy (Haven)
LibreTexts
Students will critically engage with core philosophical issues and questions, found in primary texts, regarding the topics of metaphysics, epistemology and possible other topics such as ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, history of philosophy, philosophy of self and a life well lived. This course provides a survey of the discipline in its methodology and subject matter, allowing students the opportunity to understand themselves, their community and the greater pluralistic worl