University Physics Volume 3

Reviewed by Thomas Burton, Assistant Professor, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on 5/24/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The subjects and the depth to which they are covered is superb for most undergraduate classes and contexts. However, it may be insufficient for classes wholly dedicated to either optics or modern physics, or those wanting a deeply mathematical treatment of these subjects. The textbook's glossary and index are thorough, greatly aid in navigating the material.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Throughout a semester of mostly teaching out of this textbook, my students and I were unable to find any significant errors or biased statements.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Myself and my students found the examples of many phenomena to be very relevant, as they were those we had seen or experienced in their day-to day lives. Often the textbook is updated with corrections or minor edits.

Clarity rating: 5

The language presented here is accessible and easily understood. Whereas in other texts excessive explanation is mistaken for clarity, here the discussions are comfortably followed. Jargon is only occasionally relied upon and often only after prior explanation. Key definitions are highlighted and collected at the end of each chapter for reference.

Consistency rating: 5

The authors do a great job referring and linking back to previous sections which helps keep its terminology and notation consistent.

Modularity rating: 4

Each of the topics are broken up into easily understood modules and submodules, however as is common in physics texts each topic often builds on the last, so it would be difficult to present them completely out of order.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

I personally found the organization to be excellent both in terms of the material and the difficulty. It was clear what topics would be next, how they were related to what had just been covered, and where they would add to the complexity of the field.

Interface rating: 5

Exploring the material was effortless on both the PDF and the online website, and the images/tables/charts are all easily viewed on both a computer and mobile device.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I was unable to find any grammatical errors, no matter how small.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Many of the figures and discussions are approachable from those of a variety of backgrounds; and there are no mentions of any insensitive or offensive topics or language.

Comments

University Physics Vol. 3 is an excellent textbook for a calculus-based, undergraduate level class of which optics or modern physics are key subjects. The writing is clear and concise, the examples presented are diverse and easily followed, the figures are bright and well-designed, and the applications shown are intriguing to the expert and student alike. I used this textbook during the 20'-21' academic year to teach a course covering physical waves, optics, and modern physics; and found it to be well suited to my needs.

There are two areas where this textbook may stumble for some, the first of which is the lack of "rigorous" mathematical derivation of some equations or the meticulous discussions of some complex phenomena. The other area is the lack of connection to Maxwell's Equations and E&M. While these topics are covered excellently in Vol. 2, their absence is noticed and the minimal coverage in the first chapter will be insufficient to many.

Despite these minor reservations I would gladly recommend this textbook to others looking to teach these subjects.

Reviewed by Andrew Park, Instructor, College of Alameda on 8/13/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The text covers all topics covered in third semester of calculus-based engineering physics, which includes optics, special relativity, and quantum mechanics, as well as a selection of modern physics topics beyond the hydrogen atom.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

Content is mostly accurate. Special relativity is particularly well-covered compared to other textbooks in this area; quantum mechanics is adequately covered. A few glaring errors in particle physics (errors in baryon and meson listings) lose a point.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Content is up-to-date for lower-division physics and the approach is standard.

Clarity rating: 5

Although the text is technical and mathematical, it is no more so than other textbooks at this level. Standard terminologies in the field are used and defined.

Consistency rating: 5

Standard terminologies in the field are used and defined---particularly regarding avoidance of "relativistic mass" (and explanation why).

Modularity rating: 5

Section and example organization is well done, with appropriate section division and subsection division by topics.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The organization of topic is logical, in particular, it makes sense to introduce special relativity before quantum mechanics, so that Compton scattering can be discussed at the appropriate time.

Interface rating: 5

Multiple methods are available to access the textbook; the PDF format provides the most versatile and consistent access, and the web view (which I used mostly) is usually adequate.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Few typos and grammatical errors are occasionally seen, but they are not numerous enough to affect the reading and comprehension.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Images used---particularly when a person is depicted---were mostly representative of students from various backgrounds. (It _is_ physics, so beyond ensuring good representation across ethnicities and genders, I'm not sure what additional criteria should be met.)

Comments

I used this book for two semesters in my engineering physics class (third semester of three-semester sequence). Students enjoyed the book, and the feedback I received from the students, more than anything, made me feel more confident about using this textbook, especially because I am one of the early adopters for this book among community college physics instructors in my area.

Reviewed by Hava Turkakin, Visiting Professor, Bucknell University on 1/25/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This book covers two main units; 1: Optics, 2: Modern Physics. Each units topics are explained is a very well organized and clear manner. The learning objectives are defined separately for each section. Plenty of examples and solved problems are included in each section and each chapter has over 100 additional end of the chapter problems.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

All the information is accurate and complete on each unit.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

These are the main topics in modern physics and relevance to the topics will remain.

Clarity rating: 5

The book is very well written, easy to follow. Mathematical connections and derivations are explained throughout and plenty of solved example are provided. Figures are clear and appropriately relevant to the topics.

Consistency rating: 5

All the charters in unit 1 and 2 are written in a very nice coherent manner. Sections in each chapter as well is very well organized and consistent with the following and previous topics.

Modularity rating: 5

The book is very well organized in this matter. Each section having its own learning objectives, one can easily divide into smaller reading sections.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

All the information is given, example problems are very easy to follow and clearly written. Figures are relevant and clear. Organization of topics are very suitable for the learning steps for the subjects.

Interface rating: 5

I didn't encounter any interface issues. Figures are very clear and well embedded in the text, written material is clear and easy to follow.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not encounter and grammatical error.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

The examples are neither inclusive or exclusive. This topic wouldn't apply to this book or on general to physics books.

Comments

I only couldn't find any link, if there is any, for instructor resources. There are very many questions at the end of the chapters that I can use in my course of Quantum Physics and it would be convenient to have solutions to them. It would make this book a better book.