Preface to College Physics by Open Stax – the basis for this textbook
This textbook has been adapted for this course by the Physics Department of Douglas College. It was originally from OpenStax College Physics.
About OpenStax
OpenStax is a non-profit organization committed to improving student access to quality learning materials. Our free textbooks are developed and peer-reviewed by educators to ensure they are readable, accurate, and meet the scope and sequence requirements of modern college courses. Unlike traditional textbooks, OpenStax resources live online and are owned by the community of educators using them. Through our partnerships with companies and foundations committed to reducing costs for students, OpenStax is working to improve access to higher education for all. OpenStax is an initiative of Rice University and is made possible through the generous support of several philanthropic foundations.
About This Book
To broaden access and encourage community curation, College Physics is “open source” licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license. Everyone is invited to submit examples, emerging research, and other feedback to enhance and strengthen the material and keep it current and relevant for today’s students. You can make suggestions by contacting us at info@openstaxcollege.org.
To the Student
This book is written for you. It is based on the teaching and research experience of numerous physicists and influenced by a strong recollection of their own struggles as students. After reading this book, we hope you see that physics is visible everywhere. Applications range from driving a car to launching a rocket, from a skater whirling on ice to a neutron star spinning in space, and from taking your temperature to taking a chest X-ray.
Features of OpenStax College Physics
Learning Objectives
Every module begins with a set of learning objectives. These objectives are designed to guide the instructor in deciding what content to include or assign, and to guide the student with respect to what he or she can expect to learn. After completing the module and end-of-module exercises, students should be able to demonstrate mastery of the learning objectives.
Simulations
Where applicable, students are directed to the interactive PHeT physics simulations developed by the University of Colorado (http://phet.colorado.edu). There they can further explore the physics concepts they have learned about in the module.
This text is based on the work completed by Dr. Paul Peter Urone in collaboration with Roger Hinrichs, Kim Dirks, and Manjula Sharma. We would like to thank the authors as well as the numerous professors (a partial list follows) who have contributed their time and energy to review and provide feedback on the manuscript. Their input has been critical in maintaining the pedagogical integrity and accuracy of the text.
Senior Contributing Authors
Dr. Paul Peter Urone and Dr. Roger Hinrichs, State University of New York, College at Oswego
Contributing Authors
Dr. Kim Dirks, University of Auckland, New Zealand and Dr. Manjula Sharma, University of Sydney, Australia
Expert Reviewers
Erik Christensen, P.E, South Florida Community College, Dr. Eric Kincanon, Gonzaga University, Dr. Douglas Ingram, Texas Christian University, Lee H. LaRue, Paris Junior College, Dr. Marc Sher, College of William and Mary, Dr. Ulrich Zurcher, Cleveland State University, Dr. Matthew Adams, Crafton Hills College, San Bernardino Community College District, Dr. Chuck Pearson, Virginia Intermont College
