Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Reading, Mass., Addision-Wesley Pub. Co. [1963-
Description
T[hese] books [are] based upon a course of lectures in introductory physics given by Prof. R.P. Feynman at the California Institute of Technology during the academic year 1961-1962; it covers the first year of the two year introductory course taken by all Caltech freshmen and sophormores, and was followed in 1962-63 by a similar series covering the second year.
User reviews
LibraryThing member piefuchs
A classic science textbook - three volumes based on the Feynman course at Cal Tech that covered the first two years of general physics. Exceptionally clear teachings that provide the perfect reference book on physic for non physicicts.
LibraryThing member nealjking
Feynman's unique presentation of physics, sometimes a little bit tricky.
LibraryThing member yapete
The best intro physics books ever written (and likely to remain this way - who can top this?). Not an easy read, if you haven't had at least AP or freshman physics (and a little calculus). But if you can appreciate it (like a good wine), it opens up a whole new world of understanding! Serious
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influence on my way to becoming a scientist. Show Less
LibraryThing member ojodelince
This review applies to all three volumes of the Feynman Lectures on Physics.
According to the preface (original edition, 1964) these lectures were an experiment in physics teaching. Some think they were very successful, others think they tried to teach too much, too soon, since many of the freshman
(1) Feynman presents the intuitive thinking behind the discovery of each fundamental result so that the students can 'discover' it for themselves.
(2) He distinguishes between what definitions, notations, etc. come from physical reality and which come from convenience or historical development.
(3) He does not pretend that physics 'knows everything'. If the answers to some questions are not yet known, he admits that.
(4) He thinks in advance of the misunderstandings the students may have and discusses them as he lectures.
(5) He gives numerous examples of the calculations or operations behind each basic step in applying the result.
(6) He explains in detail the relation of the subject under discussion to other fields of physics.
(7) He gives applications of the results to problems of current interest in sufficient detail so the student can fully understand the connection of ideas to fields in which physics is applied.
The description of the conservation of energy in terms of the story of the 28 blocks is a pedagogical masterpiece and the explanation of entropy in terms of the ratchet and pawl is another. Progressing from two state systems to crystal lattices to continious functions is a very effective method of introducing Schroedinger's equation.
I am generally familiar with the material in these three volumes by means of courses taken 5 or 6 decades ago, plus subsequent reading of scientific literature and some more recent texts. Nevertheless I found the interpretation and description of the relations of the various fields of theoretical and applied physics to be very informative. For example, tha analogy of vortex lines in hydrodynamics to the magnetic field lines in electrodynamics would have been very useful in studying magneto hydrodynamics and this analogy may be useful in the future study of electrodynamic vortices.
The explanation of refraction follows a line which could be regarded as a special case of the Ewald-Oseen extinction theorem, usually taught only in advanced optics courses. Under the heading of the disintegration of positronium, Feynman gives a lucid explanation of what is now called quantum entanglement. In a discussion of the vector potential, he gives a clear explanation of the Aharonov-Bohm effect and its significance for quantum theories. This effect also appears in a discussion of the double Josephson junction.
In the epilogue, which is addressed to the students, he says
"I wanted to give you some appreciation of the wonderful world and the physicists's way of looking at it, which, I believe, is a major part of the true culture of modern times. ... it is even possible that you may want to join in the greatest adventure that the human mind has ever begun." The search for reality is indeed the greatest adventure.
Anyone involved in teaching physics should be familiar with these lectures.
According to the preface (original edition, 1964) these lectures were an experiment in physics teaching. Some think they were very successful, others think they tried to teach too much, too soon, since many of the freshman
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students were lost in the presentation of relativity and quantum mechanics. However the form in which the material was presented (Feynman's style of teaching) was an undeniable success. These seven aspects of the presentation seem to be the basis: (1) Feynman presents the intuitive thinking behind the discovery of each fundamental result so that the students can 'discover' it for themselves.
(2) He distinguishes between what definitions, notations, etc. come from physical reality and which come from convenience or historical development.
(3) He does not pretend that physics 'knows everything'. If the answers to some questions are not yet known, he admits that.
(4) He thinks in advance of the misunderstandings the students may have and discusses them as he lectures.
(5) He gives numerous examples of the calculations or operations behind each basic step in applying the result.
(6) He explains in detail the relation of the subject under discussion to other fields of physics.
(7) He gives applications of the results to problems of current interest in sufficient detail so the student can fully understand the connection of ideas to fields in which physics is applied.
The description of the conservation of energy in terms of the story of the 28 blocks is a pedagogical masterpiece and the explanation of entropy in terms of the ratchet and pawl is another. Progressing from two state systems to crystal lattices to continious functions is a very effective method of introducing Schroedinger's equation.
I am generally familiar with the material in these three volumes by means of courses taken 5 or 6 decades ago, plus subsequent reading of scientific literature and some more recent texts. Nevertheless I found the interpretation and description of the relations of the various fields of theoretical and applied physics to be very informative. For example, tha analogy of vortex lines in hydrodynamics to the magnetic field lines in electrodynamics would have been very useful in studying magneto hydrodynamics and this analogy may be useful in the future study of electrodynamic vortices.
The explanation of refraction follows a line which could be regarded as a special case of the Ewald-Oseen extinction theorem, usually taught only in advanced optics courses. Under the heading of the disintegration of positronium, Feynman gives a lucid explanation of what is now called quantum entanglement. In a discussion of the vector potential, he gives a clear explanation of the Aharonov-Bohm effect and its significance for quantum theories. This effect also appears in a discussion of the double Josephson junction.
In the epilogue, which is addressed to the students, he says
"I wanted to give you some appreciation of the wonderful world and the physicists's way of looking at it, which, I believe, is a major part of the true culture of modern times. ... it is even possible that you may want to join in the greatest adventure that the human mind has ever begun." The search for reality is indeed the greatest adventure.
Anyone involved in teaching physics should be familiar with these lectures.
Show Less
LibraryThing member axiomsofchoice
Superb exposition. Have notice that the silvered ink of the printed covers of the Definitive Edition tends to rub and wear easily.
LibraryThing member br77rino
Simply the best text for lower-division college physics ever. Feynman's lectures are the most lucid expositions known to man.
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1963-1965
Physical description
29 cm
ISBN
0201021188 / 9780201021189