Dr. Steven Holzner has written more than 40 books about physics and programming. He was a contributing editor at PC Magazine and was on the faculty at both MIT and Cornell. He has authored Dummies titles including Physics For Dummies and Physics Essentials For Dummies. Dr. Holzner received his PhD at Cornell.

Introduction 1
 
Part 1: Putting Physics into Motion 5
 
Chapter 1: Using Physics to Understand Your World 7
 
Chapter 2: Reviewing Physics Measurement and Math Fundamentals 15
 
Chapter 3: Exploring the Need for Speed 29
 
Chapter 4: Following Directions: Motion in Two Dimensions 53
 
Part 2: May the Forces of Physics Be with You 79
 
Chapter 5: When Push Comes to Shove: Force 81
 
Chapter 6: Getting Down with Gravity, Inclined Planes, and Friction 101
 
Chapter 7: Circling Around Rotational Motion and Orbits 119
 
Chapter 8: Go with the Flow: Looking at Pressure in Fluids 141
 
Part 3: Manifesting the Energy to Work 165
 
Chapter 9: Getting Some Work Out of Physics 167
 
Chapter 10: Putting Objects in Motion: Momentum and Impulse 191
 
Chapter 11: Winding Up with Angular Kinetics 211
 
Chapter 12: Round and Round with Rotational Dynamics 237
 
Chapter 13: Springs 'n' Things: Simple Harmonic Motion 255
 
Part 4: Laying Down the Laws of Thermodynamics 273
 
Chapter 14: Turning Up the Heat with Thermodynamics 275
 
Chapter 15: Here, Take My Coat: How Heat Is Transferred 291
 
Chapter 16: In the Best of All Possible Worlds: The Ideal Gas Law 307
 
Chapter 17: Heat and Work: The Laws of Thermodynamics 319
 
Part 5: The Part of Tens 349
 
Chapter 18: Ten Physics Heroes 351
 
Chapter 19: Ten Wild Physics Theories 357
 
Glossary 365
 
Index 369

An easy-to-follow guide to introductory physics, from the Big Bang to relativity
 
All science, technology, engineering, and math majors in college and university require some familiarity with physics. Other career paths, like medicine, are also only open to students who understand this fundamental science. But don't worry if you find physics to be intimidating or confusing. You just need the right guide!
 
In Physics I For Dummies, you'll find a roadmap to physics success that walks you through every major topic in introductory physics, including motion, energy, waves, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, relativity, and more. You'll learn the basic principles and math formulas of physics through clear and straightforward examples and instruction, and without unnecessary jargon or complicated theory.
 
In this book, you'll also find:
* Up-to-date examples and explanations appearing alongside the latest discoveries and research in physics, discussed at a level appropriate for beginning students
* All the info found in an intro physics course, arranged in an intuitive sequence that will give first-year students a head start in their high school or college physics class
* The latest teaching techniques to ensure that you remember and retain what you read and practice in the book
 
Physics I For Dummies is proof that physics can fun, accessible, challenging, and rewarding, all at the same time! Whether you're a high school or undergraduate student looking for a leg-up on basic physics concepts or you're just interested in how our universe works, this book will help you understand the thermodynamic, electromagnetic, relativistic, and everything in between.