Basic physics info suggestions?

[apocolypse]

Physics for me was some time ago. Now, I've been able to keep some of it by reading and participating in various debates, etc but some of the concepts, calcs, theories and so forth have been lost. (Well, probably most of them at this rate ) I want to brush back up on some things, but the majority of the books and sites I come across are already written for those with a strong foundation. Are there any recommendations for information that anyone knows of or used? Something like a "physics for dummies" I suppose, and then I can have a better understanding to work from. I'm not a completely daft bastard, but I know I'm lacking in many areas and would like to improve them.

[SyntaxVorlon]

Basic physics as in Calc 2 Mechanics?

F = ma

Conservation of momentum, energy

Relativistic:

E = mc²/(sqrt(1-(v/c)²))

p = mv/(sqrt(1-(v/c)²))

When it comes right down to it, that's about it, everything else is calculus.

[tharkûn]

Something like a "physics for dummies" I suppose, and then I can have a better understanding to work from.

you don't say

[apocolypse]

Basic physics as in Calc 2 Mechanics?

F = ma

Conservation of momentum, energy

Relativistic:

E = mc²/(sqrt(1-(v/c)²))

p = mv/(sqrt(1-(v/c)²))

When it comes right down to it, that's about it, everything else is calculus.

Right, things like you had posted. I remember a lot of the terminology, but have forgotten how it all corrolates.

And tharkun, thanks for the link. I actually went to the local library recently to see if they had anything like it, but it was all higher end stuff. I guess I slipped into a Jocasta Nu moment and assumed that if the library didn't have it, "it doesn't exist." LOL

I'll definately be grabbing it soon, thanks.

[Prozac the Robert]

What level was your physics? I doubt I can sugest anything unless it was moderatley high, but it might be worth a go.

Oh, one thing I can sugest to anyone is a childrens book called The Time and Space of Uncle Albert. It's by a man called Russel Stanard, and really is a great book about special relativity. And as I said, it can even explain it to children, at least in some fassion. You might like to check out his other childrens science books as well. The Uncle albert ones can be recomended to anyone at all.

[Durandal]

Physics for me was some time ago. Now, I've been able to keep some of it by reading and participating in various debates, etc but some of the concepts, calcs, theories and so forth have been lost. (Well, probably most of them at this rate ) I want to brush back up on some things, but the majority of the books and sites I come across are already written for those with a strong foundation. Are there any recommendations for information that anyone knows of or used? Something like a "physics for dummies" I suppose, and then I can have a better understanding to work from. I'm not a completely daft bastard, but I know I'm lacking in many areas and would like to improve them.

Audit a basic physics course at your local community college if you have the time. Otherwise, buy a physics textbook. Physics is a difficult subject, and there's no "crash course" that will teach you all the fundamentals. You actually have to work at understanding it. And you can only get so far without calculus.

[apocolypse]

What level was your physics? I doubt I can sugest anything unless it was moderatley high, but it might be worth a go.

It wasn't anything terribly high IIRC. The last I had was IIRC Junior or Senior level HS. It covered the basics and went into pretty good detail on theories, equations, etc. but probably nothing to write home about. And thanks for the added recommendation.

Audit a basic physics course at your local community college if you have the time. Otherwise, buy a physics textbook. Physics is a difficult subject, and there's no "crash course" that will teach you all the fundamentals. You actually have to work at understanding it. And you can only get so far without calculus.

Yeah, I had figured as much. I know that the subject is detailed, and takes a lot of time to understand. Right now I'm just looking for some things to help me brush back up on the basics, as I know I've lost some of it from lack of use.

[Prozac the Robert]

If you can find something at the right level, it might be worth getting a book containing problems and worked solutions. Actually doing problems is the only way I ever really understand physicsy things, and it might refresh your memory.

[kheegster]

Two words: Feynmann lectures.

He starts of with basic stuff and his explanations are incredibly clear, although in later volumes he goes into really advanced stuff like quantum mech and electromagnetism, so you might want to just check out the first book, which is mostly on classical mech.