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Overview

Wouldn't it be great if there were a physics book that showed you how things work instead of telling you how? Finally, with Head First Physics, there is. This comprehensive book takes the stress out of learning mechanics and practical physics by providing a fun and engaging experience, especially for students who "just don't get it." Head First Physics offers a format that's rich in visuals and full of activities, including pictures, illustrations, puzzles, stories, and quizzes -- a mixed-media style proven to stimulate learning and retention. One look will convince you: This isn't mere theory, this is physics brought to life through real-world scenarios, simple experiments, and hypothetical projects. Head First Physics is perfect for anyone who's intrigued by how things work in the natural world. You'll quickly discover that physics isn't a dry subject. It's all about the world we live in, encompassing everything from falling objects and speeding cars, to conservation of energy and gravity and weightlessness, and orbital behavior. This book:

  • Helps you think like a physicist so you can understand why things really work the way they do

  • Gives you relevant examples so you can fully grasp the principles before moving on to more complex concepts

  • Designed to be used as a supplement study guide for the College Board's Advanced Placement Physics B Exam

  • Introduces principles for the purpose of solving real-world problems, not memorization

  • Teaches you how to measure, observe, calculate -- and yes -- how to do the math

  • Covers scientific notation, SI units, vectors, motion, momentum conservation, Newton's Laws, energy conservation, weight and mass, gravitation and orbits, circular motion and simple harmonic motion, and much more

If "Myth Busters" and other TV programs make you curious about our physical world -- or if you're a student forced to take a physics course -- now you can pursue the subject without the dread of boredom or the fear that it will be over your head. Head First Physics comes to rescue with an innovative, engaging, and inspirational way to learn physics!

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating: 4.0 out of 5 rating Based on 8 Ratings

Great Book For Anyone Wanting To Have FUN Learning Physics!!! - 2008-12-05
Reviewer Rating: 1 star rating2 star rating3 star rating4 star rating5 star rating
'Head First Physics: A Learner's Companion to Mechanics and Practical Physics' is a wonderful book for anyone that wants to learn physics in a fun and practical way. This book is geared toward new learners or basic ones that want to learn without knowing they are doing so. Instead of a bland 1,500+ page book with just text regarding Newton and the other great minds, you get a USABLE book that is FUN FUN FUN. I love the Head First books because they present subject matter in a way that is DIFFERENT. Written by an experienced academic, Heather Lang writes in a format that is truly a delight. If you are looking for a masters Physics book you will be disappointed. If you are young, in high school or just an adult that wants to learn more in a BETTER way this book is a gem.

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Easy-to-Use Physics Reference Guide - 2009-01-20
Reviewer Rating: 1 star rating2 star rating3 star rating4 star rating5 star rating
Hey, where was this book when I was in high school? This is an easy to read guide to basic mechanical physics with plenty of real world examples and fun problems to work out. It is more written for a high school audience, but early college students will find plenty of help as well. It starts with lessons in scientific notation, equations, and graphing, and works its way through velocity and acceleration, torque, pulleys, circular motion, and more. Some of the examples used are the use of levers to get Excalibur out of the stone, and shooting cannonballs at a ghost pirate ship as lessons in momentum conservation. /Head First Physics/ is billed as a good aid for students working on AP physics classes, but would also be a good guide for someone just interested in knowing more about how the world works. The illustrations range from photos to fairly crude stick figures and are probably the largest flaw in the book. More consistency there would have been nice, but it isn't a large enough flaw to detract from the quality of the instruction.

If you're in high school or college and struggle with physics concepts, HEAD FIRST PHYSICS is a recommended pick - 2008-12-09
Reviewer Rating: 1 star rating2 star rating3 star rating4 star rating5 star rating
If you're in high school or college and struggle with physics concepts, HEAD FIRST PHYSICS is a recommended pick. It provides a lively connection between physics theory and the world we live in, examining basic concepts, using the latest research in learning theory to enliven presentations, and covering math and physics concepts using lively black and white drawings, photos, and large-size graphs. An outstanding physics survey evolves.

Well developed - 2008-12-22
Reviewer Rating: 1 star rating2 star rating3 star rating4 star rating5 star rating
I own several books in the Head First series. This is one of the best I've read. Each topic is discussed with meaningful examples that drive the points home--something many courses or teachers have difficulty with. If I had a tool like this in my arsenal back in school I'd have felt much different about physics.

Bad graphics and organization make this a loser. - 2008-11-23
Reviewer Rating: 1 star rating2 star rating3 star rating4 star rating5 star rating
The graphic presentation of the subject matter is cluttered, scattered and confused. The layout is awful. I will not purchase any of the other "Head First" books.

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