Essential University Physics

Richard Wolfson’s Essential University Physics is a concise and progressive calculus-based physics textbook that offers clear writing, great problems, and interesting real-life applications. At nearly half the length and half the price of other physics texts on the market, Essential University Physics is a compelling alternative for professors who want to focus on the fundamentals. Based on Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Wolfson and Pasachoff, Essential University Physics retains many of the lauded features of the original text, while introducing new pedagogical elements derived from physics education research. The text focuses on the fundamentals of physics, teaches sound problem-solving skills, emphasizes conceptual understanding, and makes connections to the real world. Features such as annotated figures and step-by-step problem-solving strategies help provide a clear learning path for the reader. Doing Physics; Mechanics: Motion in a Straight Line; Motion in Two and Three Dimensions; Force and Motion; Using Newton’s Laws; Work, Energy, and Power; Conservation of Energy; Gravity; Systems of Particles; Rotational Motion; Rotational Vectors and Angular Momentum; Static Equilibrium Oscillations, Waves, and Fluids: Oscillatory Motion; Wave Motion; Fluid Motion Thermodynamics: Temperature and Heat; The Thermal Behavior of Matter; Heat, Work, and the First Law of Thermodynamics; The Second Law of Thermodynamics Electromagnetism: Electric Charge, Force, and Field; Gauss’s Law; Electric Potential; Electrostatic Energy and Capacitors; Electric Current; Electric Circuits; Magnetism; Electromagnetic Induction; Alternating-Current Circuits; Electromagnetic Waves Optics: The Behavior of Light; Images and Optical Instruments; Interference and Diffraction Modern Physics: Relativity; Particles and Waves; Quantum Physics; Atomic Physics; Molecular and Solid-State Physics; Nuclear Physics; Quarks to Cosmos For all readers interested in calculus-based physics.