The Physics Companion - Softcover

.."a short sharp pricis of the material typically covered in first year physics programs great quick reference guide for professional physicists easy to quickly find those equations that you don't frequently use but suddenly need. You will find it quicker in this book than you will find it in a textbook." - The Physicist "Fischer-Cripps has produced a gem of an alternative to conventional undergraduate textbooks. The Physics Companion is aptly named. Many hard-pressed students burning the midnight oil - if such students exist - will undoubtedly welcome a different and affable approach to their problems. This will apply equally to those majoring in physics and those taking it as a subsidiary subject the maths that is required is not complicated and is well explained when needed The text is lively and the straightforward explanations do not over-simplify the material, but readily lead to an understanding of concepts that first-year undergraduates often find hard to grasp The uncluttered figures, copiously used throughout, are explanatory and invariably enhance the text descriptions the material is treated at just the right level to give them more confidence to tackle the traditional approach The Physics Companion does what it says on the cover it will also serve as a more than useful reference tool for professional physicists, especially those who teach. I will certainly be using it in my tutorials, recommending it to my colleagues and advising my students to buy it. Unlike some books, it should be affordable to most." - Alan Michette in Physics World, July 2003 "You get all these texts that cover each topic in great detail for university, but it's hard to find a decent text that willprovide all that information at a glance. The Physics Companion does this. It is well laid out, easy to access and easy to use. I know it will be of great use throughout my university time, if it is to look up a formula or definition, or just to get a different viewpoint before exams." - Janice from Southampton (student) ..."this IOP Publishing edition is nicely produced as a durable A5 paperback. This makes it a convenient and useful brain-stimulant for first-year physics students. The multitude of diagrams are clear and to the point, greatly aiding understanding." - The Australian Physicist "Fischer-Cripps has prepared an excellent compendium of definitions and relationships from mainly classical physics. The material covers thermal physics, optics (waves and geometric), electricity and magnetism, mechanics, and matter - in that order ... The material is eminently suitable for undergraduate physics students who need a quick and easy printed reference to basic equations from general physics ... is a valuable resource for all students of physics ... highly recommended ... all levels" - American Library Association "This book appears to fill a niche not covered elsewhere. It sticks to basic concepts, so does not cover the number of terms that would be found in a dictionary of physics. It is the addition of the numerous illustrations, summary, and small problem section to each entry that gives it more depth. It is not anywhere nearly as comprehensive as an encyclopedia in scope or depth, nor is it meant to be. However, it has the distinct advantage of being in one small volume, easy to carry around. The author has published a number of books, as well as articles, in physics andengineering. The book is recommended for most libraries, especially academic with undergraduate courses in physics. It would fit into either the reference or the circulating collections." - Donna Cromer, Coordinator of Reference Services and Selector for Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico Centennial Science and Engineering Library, in E-STREAMS

The Physics Companion is a revision aid and study guide for undergraduates in physics. It covers the core topics, deriving key concepts and equations in clear one-page figure-rich descriptions. Each subsection contains a summary of the main equations, together with a set of worked examples. The topics covered include:

Thermal Physics

Electricity and Magnetism

Waves and Optics

Mechanics

States of Matter

Quantum Physics

Intended as supporting material for other texts, the book will be an essential resource for undergraduate students throughout the course of their degree.