Handbook of Physics

Walter Benenson is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University, and a nuclear physicist at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. Benenson was the one of the first physicists to join NSCL founding Director Henry Blosser’s staff in 1963, and was science consultant on the 1991 program Exploring the Hidden Nucleus. His research on rare isotopes forms the basis for Michigan State’s worldwide reputation in the field.

From the reviews: CHOICE (OUTSTANDING TITLE) "Benenson (Michigan State Univ., East Lansing) and colleagues have prepared an invaluable compendium of relationships and indexes from every area of physics. Worth its price, it provides students and researchers a ready access to laws and equations that govern physical behavior and current material facts. The topics covered range from classical mechanics to elementary particles. The handbook provides, as one example from mechanics, the latest understanding of the concept of rolling friction. The reference work is enhanced through additional features in each section that include sample examples, applications of the physics described, problem-solving hints, and measurement techniques pertaining to the specific phenomena in the section. The book's layout allows easy accessibility to every topic. It includes a very useful appendix on error analysis, excellent line diagrams, and a comprehensive index." "The Handbook of Physics edited by W. Benenson, J. W. Harris, H. Stocker and H. Lutz is fantastically good value for money ... . This is a massive aide-memoire for basic physics ... ." (Ultramicroscopy, Vol. 99, 2004) "This veritable toolbox for everyday use in problem solving, homework, examinations, and practical applications of physics provides quick and easy access to a wealth of information including not only the fundamental formulas of physics but also a wide variety of experimental methods used in practice." (Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics, Vol. 84 (1-2), 2003) "This Handbook of Physics is a complete desktop reference for scientists, engineers and students. ... Compiled by professional scientists, engineers and lecturers who are experts in the day-to-day use of physics, the Handbook covers topics from classical mechanics to elementary particles, electric circuits to error analysis." (Revista Espanola de Fisica, Vol. 17 (1), 2003) "The editors have amassed a veritable treasure trove of tables, formulae, relationships and concepts from Mechanics, right across the Physics spectrum to Quantum Physics, that are clearly presented along with examples ... . As a teaching academic, I believe that this is a resource well worth having at hand. ... Here is a useful addition to the bookshelf in the office ... . A copy in the reference section would be a worthwhile library investment." (John Holdsworth, The Physicist, Vol. 39 (6), 2002)

• From the Contents: I Mechanics: Kinematics.- Dynamics.- Rigid Bodies.- Micromechanics.- Gravitation and the Theory of Relativity.- Mechanics of Continuous Media.- Nonlinear Dynamics, Chaos, and Fractals.- Tables on Mechanics; II Vibrations and Waves: Vibrations.- Waves.- Acoustics.- Optics.- Tables on Vibrations, Waves, Acoustics, and Optics; III Electricity: Charges and Currents.- Electric and Magnetic Field.- Applications in Electrical Engineering.- Current Conduction in Liquids, Gases, and Vacuum.- Plasma Physics.- Tables on Electricity; IV Thermodynamics: Equilibrium and State Variables.- Heat, Conversion of Energy, and Changes of State.- Phase Transitions, Reactions, and Equalizing of Heat.- Tables on Thermodynamics; V Quantum Physics: Photons, Electromagnetic Radiation, and Light Quanta.