58 Physics
Physics (PHY)
See also Open Access Texts, a list of open textbooks for undergraduate physics curated by Professor Alistair Savage, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Ottawa.
BSc Optics
Sander Konijnenberg, Aurèle J.L. Adam, and H. Paul Urbach (Delft University of Technology)
2021
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
This book treats optics at the level of students in the later stage of their bachelor or the beginning of their master. It is assumed that the student is familiar with Maxwell’s equations. Although the book takes account of the fact that optics is part of electromagnetism, special emphasis is put on the usefulness of approximate models of optics, their hierarchy and limits of validity. Approximate models such as geometrical optics and paraxial geometrical optics are treated extensively and applied to image formation by the human eye, the microscope and the telescope.
Format: PDF
Includes: Problems
Reviews: Open Textbook Library
Suggested for:
PHY 2311 Waves and Optics
PHY 5318 Modern Optics
College Physics∗
Paul Peter Urone (California State University), Roger Hinrichs (SUNY at Oswego), and Kim Dirks (University of Auckland) (OpenStax)
2012
Licence: CC BY 4.0
This introductory, algebra-based, two-semester college physics book is grounded with real-world examples, illustrations, and explanations to help students grasp key, fundamental physics concepts. This online, fully editable and customizable title includes ample practice opportunities to solve traditional physics application problems.
Formats: Online and PDF
Includes: Learning objectives, concept questions, links to labs, and simulations
Reviews: eCampusOntario Open Library – Open Textbook Library – BCcampus
Suggested for:
PHY 1121 Fundamentals of Physics I
PHY 1122 Fundamentals of Physics II
PHY 2361 Modern Physics
PHY 2104 Introduction to Circuit Theory and Electronics
PHY 2323 Electricity and Magnetism
PHY 3350 Thermodynamics
PHY 3370 Introductory Quantum Mechanics
Introduction to Electricity, Magnetism, and Circuits 
Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny, William Moebs, and Daryl Janzen (University of Saskatchewan)
2018
Licence: CC BY 4.0
This textbook emphasizes connections between theory and application, making physics concepts interesting and accessible to students while maintaining the mathematical rigour inherent in the subject. Frequent, strong examples focus on how to approach a problem, how to work with the equations, and how to check and generalize the result.
Formats: Pressbooks webbook, EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more
Suggested for:
PHY 2323 Electricity and Magnetism
Mechanics
Ben Crowell (Fullerton College)
2017
Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
This is a calculus-based book meant for the first semester of a first-year survey course taken by engineering and physical science majors. It has a traditional order of topics whereby force is discussed before energy. It is divided into 17 chapters that cover a review of high school physics, scaling and estimation, vectors, velocity, acceleration, forces, circular motion, gravity, conservation of energy, work, conservation of momentum and angular momentum, vibrations, and resonance. A treatment of relativity is interspersed with the Newtonian mechanics, in optional sections.
Formats: Online and PDF
Reviews: BCcampus
Suggested for:
PHY 2333 Mechanics
Mechanics for Applied Science (Instructor Course Pack)
Jennifer Kirkey (Douglas College)
2023
Licence: CC BY 4.0
This is a first-year course in engineering mechanics intended for students pursuing a degree in engineering. Topics include two-dimensional and three-dimensional force systems, moments of a force, equations of equilibrium, truss analysis, machines, internal forces, friction, and particle kinematics. This course pack contains 23 modules. Each module has a lesson plan, a problem sheet, and an activity sheet with a completed example.
Formats: Online and Word
Includes: lesson plans, problems, activities, textbook, instructor guide, syllabus, quizzes, image collection
Suggested for:
PHY 1121 Fundamentals of Physics I
Physics∗
Lumen Learning
2015
Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
This Lumen Learning course covers all of the concepts of first-year physics with a balance of application and theory.
Format: Online
Includes: Problem-solving guides, examples, videos, applications, problems, selected solutions, and summaries
Suggested for:
PHY 1121 Fundamentals of Physics I
PHY 1122 Fundamentals of Physics II
Physics 132: What is an Electron? What is Light?
Roger Hinrichs, Paul Peter Urone, Paul Flowers, Edward J. Neth, William R. Robinson, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley, Julianne Zedalis, John Eggebrecht, and E.F. Redish (UMass Amherst)
2020
Licence: CC BY 4.0
A second-semester introductory physics course for life sciences students that looks to deepen students’ understanding of biology and chemistry through physics all through the lens of understanding two of the most fundamental particles in the Universe: electrons and photons. The book begins with exploring the quantum mechanical nature of these objects to expand on what students have learned in chemistry and then proceeds to geometric optics (using the human eye as a theme), electrostatics (using membrane potentials), circuits (using the neuron), and finally synthesizing everything in a unit exploring the meaning of “light is an electromagnetic wave.”
Formats: Pressbooks webbook, EPUB, PDF, and HTML
Suggested for:
PHY 1322 Principles of Physics II
Relativity Lite: A Pictorial Translation of Einstein’s Theories of Motion and Gravity
Jack C. Straton (Portland State University)
2020
Licence: CC BY-NC 4.0 (Note: most figures are licensed CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Relativity Lite is designed for the General Astronomy sequence (PH 361-2U, SCI 315-6U) whose primary book glosses over Special Relativity and General Relativity while trying to explain the Cosmology that is based on those subjects. Relativity Lite translates the mathematical equations conventional relativity texts rely upon into pictures that are readily understood and contain within them the mathematical essentials. This book provides the comprehensive coverage needed to understand, in sufficient depth, these three linked areas of our reality. Readers seeking this knowledge on their own, and those in other courses for nonscientists, may also find it helpful.
Formats: Online and PDF
Suggested for:
PHY 4346 General Relativity
University Physics Volume 1∗
Jeff Sanny (Loyola Marymount University) and Samuel Ling (Truman State University) (OpenStax)
2016
Licence: CC BY 4.0
University Physics is a three-volume collection that meets the scope and sequence requirements for two- and three-semester calculus-based physics courses. Volume 1 covers mechanics, sound, oscillations, and waves. This textbook emphasizes connections between theory and application, making physics concepts interesting and accessible to students while maintaining the mathematical rigor inherent in the subject. Frequent, strong examples focus on how to approach a problem, how to work with the equations, and how to check and generalize the result.
Formats: Online and PDF
Reviews: Open Textbook Library – BCcampus
Suggested for:
PHY 1121 Fundamentals of Physics I
PHY 1122 Fundamentals of Physics II
University Physics Volume 2∗
Jeff Sanny (Loyola Marymount University) and Samuel Ling (Truman State University) (OpenStax)
2016
Licence: CC BY 4.0
University Physics is a three-volume collection that meets the scope and sequence requirements for two- and three-semester calculus-based physics courses. Volume 2 covers thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism. This textbook emphasizes connections between theory and application, making physics concepts interesting and accessible to students while maintaining the mathematical rigor inherent in the subject. Frequent, strong examples focus on how to approach a problem, how to work with the equations, and how to check and generalize the result.
Formats: Online and PDF
Reviews: Open Textbook Library
Suggested for:
PHY 1122 Fundamentals of Physics II
University Physics Volume 3∗
Jeff Sanny (Loyola Marymount University) and Samuel Ling (Truman State University) (OpenStax)
2016
Licence: CC BY 4.0
University Physics is a three-volume collection that meets the scope and sequence requirements for two- and three-semester calculus-based physics courses. Volume 3 covers optics and modern physics. This textbook emphasizes connections between between theory and application, making physics concepts interesting and accessible to students while maintaining the mathematical rigor inherent in the subject. Frequent, strong examples focus on how to approach a problem, how to work with the equations, and how to check and generalize the result.
Formats: Online and PDF
Reviews: Open Textbook Library
Suggested for:
PHY 1122 Fundamentals of Physics II [part 1]
PHY 2361 Modern Physics [part 2]
