`The Physical Sciences: An Integrated Approach' and `Physics for Scientists and Engineers'

Abstract

Here we have two textbooks from the US market directed at two distinctive groups of students. The Physical Sciences is for non-science majors whereas Physics for Scientists and Engineers, as its title implies, is for science and engineering majors. Although many similar topics are covered, their styles are appropriately very different. The Physical Sciences is intended to integrate physics, chemistry and earth science. However, most of the content consists of material which we associate with physics or its borders. It contains very little mathematics. Not only is calculus excluded but the mathematical equations are kept at a very simple level, usually simple equalities and substitution of numbers. Despite the limited mathematics, the authors have included a wide range of advanced physics topics. A chapter on energy is followed by one on thermodynamics, which proceeds as far as entropy. There is a chapter on quantum mechanics where the only equation is that for Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, and there is another chapter on relativity, which includes time dilation and the equation for apparent mass of moving objects but little further mathematics. The broad scope of the book can be seen from a selection of other chapters. Physics ones include electricity and magnetism, waves and electromagnetic radiation, the atom and fundamental particles. More general chapters are introductory ones on the language of science and the development of basic classical mechanics via the ordered universe. Later ones concern chemical bonding and reactions, properties of matter, earth science, atmospheric science, geology, the stars and cosmology. It is unusual for a textbook to develop quite so many advanced concepts with such little mathematics. The text is clear and the words and illustrations are more than adequate to provide the reader with a good qualitative knowledge. In contrast, Physics for Scientists and Engineers follows a specific syllabus followed in the USA, a much tighter syllabus than the A-level and university syllabuses we see in Britain. It is written by an experienced physicist and author from California State University and is very similar in content and level to many other texts on the market. When the texts are used in the UK, it is usually for foundation year and traditional first-year university physics students, although the scope of the contents goes beyond. This is because they use calculus, but do not use higher level mathematics. Experience shows that the subtle differences in the texts only show up as one teaches from them, and even then there is wide variation of preference by both teachers and students. Physics for Scientists and Engineers covers all the usual traditional topics of physics. Thus there are extensive sections on mechanics and gravitation, thermodynamics, wave motion, electrostatics and electricity and magnetism, optics and relativity. Unusually, modern physics has been covered in a supplementary book which repeats the chapters involving relativity. It goes on to provide a quantum approach to light and the atom, the wave-like properties of matter including application of the Schrödinger equation, further quantum systems including the nucleus, short sections on semiconductors, superconductors and superfluids, and finally a chapter on fundamental particles. A huge range of examples are included, both worked out and for the student to attempt. Achieving a spread in general understanding of the physical sciences needs books such as The Physical Sciences. However, it is not adequate for the intending physicist or engineer. So there remains the fundamental question as to whether the non-specialist will spend the time such coverage would require. But the book provides an excellent general overview of traditional and modern physics topics including technological applications. The alternative specialist approach is provided by Physics for Scientists and Engineers but it is difficult to identify any particularly distinctive feature to the book compared with others available. The quality of production of both books is excellent with large numbers of coloured pictures. As is usual with American texts, instructor's manuals and other back-up material are available for each.