High School Physics

Overview

This textbook provides a complete introduction to high school and introductory college physics. Topics include mechanics, energy, waves, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, modern physics, and applied scientific modeling. Students develop problem-solving skills, quantitative reasoning, and scientific literacy while learning how physical principles explain the natural world.

Update

The Textbook was originally only offered in PDF format. It is now being converted to HTML. The Main links are for HTML, the (PDF) links are for the OG PDF version.

Table of Contents

• Part 1 Foundations of Physics
  • Chapter 1: What Physics Studies (PDF)
  • Chapter 2: Measurement, Units, and Scientific Notation (PDF)
  • Chapter 3: Dimensional Analysis (PDF)
  • Chapter 4: Scalars, Vectors, and Coordinate Systems (PDF)
  • Chapter 5: Graphs, Models, and Experimental Uncertainty (PDF)
• Part 2 Motion and Forces
  • Chapter 6: Describing Motion (PDF)
  • Chapter 7: Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration (PDF)
  • Chapter 8: Kinematic Equations (PDF)
  • Chapter 9: Projectile Motion (PDF)
  • Chapter 10: Forces and Newton's Laws (PDF)
  • Chapter 11: Free-Body Diagrams (PDF)
  • Chapter 12: Friction, Tension, Normal Force, and Springs (PDF)
  • Chapter 13: Circular Motion and Gravitation (PDF)
• Part 3 Energy and Momentum
  • Chapter 14: Work, Energy, and Power (PDF)
  • Chapter 15: Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy (PDF)
  • Chapter 16: Momentum and Impulse (PDF)
  • Chapter 17: Collisions (PDF)
  • Chapter 18: Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage (PDF)
• Part 4 Rotation Equilibrium and Materials
  • Chapter 19: Torque and Rotational Motion (PDF)
  • Chapter 20: Static Equilibrium (PDF)
  • Chapter 21: Center of Mass and Stability (PDF)
  • Chapter 22: Stress, Strain, and Elasticity (PDF)
• Part 5 Waves Sound and Light
  • Chapter 23: Vibrations and Oscillations (PDF)
  • Chapter 24: Wave Properties (PDF)
  • Chapter 25: Sound Waves and Resonance (PDF)
  • Chapter 26: Light, Reflection, and Refraction (PDF)
  • Chapter 27: Mirrors and Lenses (PDF)
  • Chapter 28: Interference, Diffraction, and Polarization (PDF)
• Part 6 Heat Temperature and Thermodynamics
  • Chapter 29: Temperature and Thermal Energy (PDF)
  • Chapter 30: Heat Transfer (PDF)
  • Chapter 31: Specific Heat and Phase Changes (PDF)
  • Chapter 32: Gases and Pressure (PDF)
  • Chapter 33: Laws of Thermodynamics (PDF)
  • Chapter 34: Heat Engines, Entropy, and Efficiency (PDF)
• Part 7 Fluids
  • Chapter 35: Density and Pressure (PDF)
  • Chapter 36: Buoyancy (PDF)
  • Chapter 37: Fluid Flow (PDF)
  • Chapter 38: Bernoulli's Principle (PDF)
  • Chapter 39: Viscosity, Drag, Lift, and Turbulence (PDF)
• Part 8 Electricity and Magnetism
  • Chapter 40: Electric Charge (PDF)
  • Chapter 41: Electric Fields and Electric Potential (PDF)
  • Chapter 42: Current, Voltage, Resistance, and Ohm's Law (PDF)
  • Chapter 43: Series and Parallel Circuits (PDF)
  • Chapter 44: Magnetism (PDF)
  • Chapter 45: Electromagnetic Induction (PDF)
  • Chapter 46: Electromagnetic Waves (PDF)
• Part 9 Modern Physics and the Universe
  • Chapter 47: Why Modern Physics Was Needed (PDF)
  • Chapter 48: Atoms and Spectra (PDF)
  • Chapter 49: Quantum Ideas (PDF)
  • Chapter 50: Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity (PDF)
  • Chapter 51: Relativity Concepts (PDF)
  • Chapter 52: Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology (PDF)
• Part 10 Applied Physics
  • Chapter 53: Physics in Engineering (PDF)
  • Chapter 54: Physics in Medicine (PDF)
  • Chapter 55: Physics of Earth and Atmosphere (PDF)
  • Chapter 56: Energy Systems (PDF)
  • Chapter 57: Computational and Data-Based Physics (PDF)

Learning Outcomes

• Apply scientific reasoning to physical systems and phenomena.
• Analyze motion, forces, momentum, and energy using mathematical models.
• Explain waves, sound, light, and electromagnetic phenomena.
• Understand thermodynamic processes and energy transfer.
• Apply principles of electricity and magnetism.
• Interpret physical data using graphs, equations, and experiments.
• Understand the foundations of modern physics, including relativity and quantum theory.
• Develop quantitative problem-solving skills used in science and engineering.
• Connect physical principles to technology and everyday life.