Physics
A Focused Introduction
Published on 21. November 2025
732 pages
978-1-040-44084-1 (ISBN)
Description
Physics: A Focused Introduction provides a thorough overview of the principles and practical applications of introductory undergraduate physics. Featuring a streamlined narrative, it encourages active engagement between fundamental concepts and fully worked examples.
Major topics such as motion (kinematics, forces, and conservation of momentum and energy), thermodynamics, waves, optics, electricity and magnetism are covered, in addition to the foundations of modern physics.
Key features:
More than 200 fully worked examples and 1,000 end-of-chapter problems
Learning Objectives at the start of each chapter
An appendix which introduces key mathematical content ranging from scientific notation and the metric system to geometry, trigonometry, and techniques for solving systems of equations
Calculus is introduced and used as a tool to clarify the physics; examples and problems that require proficiency in calculus are clearly marked
Supported by modular lab activities developed at the University of Mount Union, detailed lecture notes, and a comprehensive solution manual are available to instructors
Written in a relaxed and engaging style, this textbook is suitable for students of science and engineering who require a concise introduction to the field, as well as students of both algebra-based and calculus-based courses.
Major topics such as motion (kinematics, forces, and conservation of momentum and energy), thermodynamics, waves, optics, electricity and magnetism are covered, in addition to the foundations of modern physics.
Key features:
More than 200 fully worked examples and 1,000 end-of-chapter problems
Learning Objectives at the start of each chapter
An appendix which introduces key mathematical content ranging from scientific notation and the metric system to geometry, trigonometry, and techniques for solving systems of equations
Calculus is introduced and used as a tool to clarify the physics; examples and problems that require proficiency in calculus are clearly marked
Supported by modular lab activities developed at the University of Mount Union, detailed lecture notes, and a comprehensive solution manual are available to instructors
Written in a relaxed and engaging style, this textbook is suitable for students of science and engineering who require a concise introduction to the field, as well as students of both algebra-based and calculus-based courses.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
20 Tables, black and white; 631 Line drawings, black and white; 631 Illustrations, black and white
File size
45,54 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-44084-1 (9781040440841)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Person
Colin Campbell is an Associate Professor of Physics and Data Science at the University of Mount Union, USA, where he teaches at all levels of the undergraduate curriculum. He earned his B.S. from Westminster College and his Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University. He has received multiple honors for his teaching, including the University of Mount Union's Distinguished Teaching Award.
Content
Part 1: The Fundamentals of Motion 1. Describing Motion on a Line 2. Describing Motion on a Plane 3. Forces 4. Conversation Laws Part 2: Applying Fundamentals 5. Thermodynamics 6. Simple Harmonic Motion and Waves Part 3: Optics 7. Ray Optics 8. Wave Optics Part 4: Electricity and Magnestism 9. Electric Charge: Fundmamentals 10. Electric Charge: Cumulative Effects 11. Moving Charge: Electric Circuits 12. Moving Charge: Magnetism Part 5: Modern Physics 13. Modern Physics
