Introductory Physics: A Model Approach

by Robert Karplus, Fernand Brunschwig

Overview

A basic, non-mathematical textbook for non-science students in secondary school or college. The book is based on Robert Karplus' many years of research on how beginners think about physics. In the "modeling approach" students explore and test simple analog, working and mathematical models for physical phenomena. The models provide a clear, understandable transition to the key principles and theories of physics. The book begins with the basic concepts of relative motion, reference frames, interaction, systems, and a descriptive overview of energy transfer. Subsequent chapters develop the details of temperature and heat, thermal (internal) energy, forces and work, electrical energy and electrical circuits, velocity and acceleration, Newton's Laws, motion near the surface of the earth, periodic and circular motion, celestial mechanics and gravity, pressure and kinetic theory, light and sound, waves, and modern physics (Bohr model and the basics of quantum mechanics). The "Modeling Instruction" approach is used in secondary schools throughout the US (see modeling.asu.edu). This book is especially useful in conjunction with (or as preparation for) the study of chemistry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780982725801
Publisher:	Fernand Brunschwig
Publication date:	06/12/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	540
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.09(d)

Table of Contents

FOREWORD TO 2003 EDITION vi
AUTHOR'S PREFACE x
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xiv

Part one A first view
CHAPTER 1 THE NATURE OF SCIENCE 2
CHAPTER 2 REFERENCE FRAMES 30
CHAPTER 3 THE INTERACTION CONCEPT 54
CHAPTER 4 MATTER AND ENERGY 80

Part two Waves and atoms
CHAPTER 5 MODELS FOR LIGHT AND SOUND 110
CHAPTER 6 THE WAVE THEORY 138
CHAPTER 7 WAVE MODELS FOR SOUND AND LIGHT 172
CHAPTER 8 MODELS FOR ATOMS 202

Part three Energy
CHAPTER 9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS OF ENERGY 234
CHAPTER 10 TEMPERATURE AND ENERGY 248
CHAPTER 11 FORCE, DISPLACEMENT, AND ENERGY 278
TRANSFER
CHAPTER 12 ELECTRIC CURRENT AND ENERGY 310
TRANSFER

Part four Motion
CHAPTER 13 OBJECTS IN MOTION 348
CHAPTER 14 NEWTON'S LAWS OF MOTION 364
CHAPTER 15 PERIODIC MOTION 400
CHAPTER 16 HEAT AND MOTION 424

EPILOGUE "SCIENCE IN THE NEW HUMANISM" 460
BY JACOB BRONOWSKI
APPENDIX MATHEMATICAL BACKGROUND 466
ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS WITH NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS 484
INDEX 488
ROBERT KARPLUS - A PORTRAIT 498
BY FERNAND BRUNSCHWIG
HISTORICAL TIMELINE 508