Physics Book?

[trulycrabby]

Hello! DS12 is taking a homeschool high school physics lab course at a science museum. Since it is the lab portion only, they do not have an accompanying physics text, but recommended Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewitt. I was wondering if The Hive could recommend some others, especially if they are considered exceptional or classics (like Dolciani is for Algebra).

 

Here's the recommended text: http://www.amazon.com/Conceptual-Physics-12th-Edition-Hewitt/dp/0321909100/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51XYYwf62zL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR125%2C160_&refRID=0SR2VWKWFWSNF191ZRKY

Edited January 15, 2016 by trulycrabby

[regentrude]

Hewitt is an exception among physics books because it is Conceptual, i.e. uses very little math. I am not aware of other books of comparable level.

 

All true "classics" are calculus based texts. There are some good algebra+trig based texts who are suitable for students who have a thorough mastery of algebra 1. If you are interested in recommendations for those, let me know.

[crazyforlatin]

Clover Creek physics (the teacher is a fellow hiver) uses Hewitt's 3rd edition. The teacher does add to the textbook with word problems requiring algebra and some trig. The book itself is great for a middle school student. DD is 10 years old and it's just challenging enough for her that she is not coasting through the book. It may just depend on how much math background your DS has. DD is sort of done with algebra in the traditional sense, but AOPS Intro to Algebra has much more than what a regular textbook includes, so we're not quite done in that respect. She reads well, so Hewitt is perfect for that type of younger child, average to above average math score in algebra/not studying calculus yet, strong language learner.

[trulycrabby]

Thank you! I cross-posted on the chat board and forgot about this thread. I ended up buying books by both Hewitt and Giancoli. I will also check out the Clover Creek physics.

[Alessandra]

Our school uses Giancoli -- good text IMO.

 

Check out the website for Arbor Scientific, some good supplements for Hewitt. But, if you are like me, looking at this, will lead you to buy stuff.

 

Physics Classroom website. Cannot say enough good things about this site. They walk you through problems, explaining both right answers and common mistakes. They also some 99 cent iBooks, well worth it, IMO.

 

Also, do not forget googling very specific phrases from labs when confused. Lots of good site come up, in my experience.