Physics Companion

Praise for the First Edition: "... a short sharp precis 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 ... 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 math 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, Physics World, July 2003 "...this [book] 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 is 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 ... 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 [for]... all levels ..." -American Library Association "This book appears to fill a niche not covered elsewhere. It sticks to basic concepts ... . It is the addition of the numerous illustrations, summary, and small problem section to each entry that gives it more depth. ... 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 and engineering. 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, E-STREAMS "... physicist Fischer-Cripps has a lucid writing style and a good sense of how to present the material. Each topic usually has a one- to two-page description, including a discussion of the concept and formulas, along with carefully worked-out illustrations. ... Even libraries with the first edition would find the second edition a useful acquisition. Summing Up: Recommended." -J. R. Burciaga, Mount Holyoke College in CHOICE Magazine

• Thermal Physics. Waves and Optics. Electricity. Mechanics. Properties of Matter. Materials Data.