Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations and Connections, Extended Version with Modern

Case studies, many based on real-world experiences such as news items and historical events, draw readers into the story of physics and make concepts understandable. The case studies are introduced and revisited throughout the chapters in interactive concept exercises, examples, and end-of-chapter problems. This unique case study approach makes abstract physics concepts concrete and bridges the formal language and mathematics of physics with key concepts.

Dr. Katz uses student preconceptions (or misconceptions) as building blocks toward proper understanding, showing students the connection between their notions and the true physical principles. Preconceptions are primarily addressed by dialogues between fictional students that allow readers to discover their preconceptions without a sense of failure.

Two-column examples and derivations use graphics to clearly frame the qualitative reasoning and quantitative steps behind a problem, helping students make connections between the concept being taught and the mathematical steps to follow. It’s like having an instructor in the text: in one column he or she explains the concept, and in the other he or she shows the formal mathematical steps that might be written on a classroom board.

Many textbooks were originally written for previous generations of students. Although these textbooks have been updated for content, today’s students don’t find them readable. This book was written to be readable without compromising content, because students are willing and able to read a book they find engaging.

Students have trouble organizing physics topics in a hierarchy. The list of topics at the start of each chapter is arranged into categories: Underlying Principles, Major Concepts, Special Cases, and Tools. Notes in the margin refer to topics using these categories. Each chapter has a Summary at the end arranged using the same categories. The conceptual organization is reinforced by revisiting the concepts found on the chapter opening page with more complete descriptions, so students can use the information for review before solving the problems assigned for homework.

Over 3,500 problems have been written for this text. Each part of every problem has been classified as either Algebraic, Conceptual, Estimation, Graphical, or Numerical in nature.

This text is fully integrated with Enhanced WebAssign. Enhanced WebAssign combines exceptional physics content with the most powerful online homework solution, WebAssign. Enhanced WebAssign engages students with simulation-based PreLecture Exploration exercises, Integrated Tutorials written by the author, stepped out interactive solutions, all the quantitative End-of-Chapter problems from the textbook, and a fully customizable eBook. This robust suite of assets will help students develop a deeper conceptual understanding of their subject matter. Please visit http://www.webassign.net/features/textbooks/katzpse1/details.html to view an interactive demonstration of Enhanced WebAssign.