The THICKEST Physics Book in the World
TLDRThis video reviews the 'Handbook of Physics,' a super thick book edited by E.U. Condon and Hugh Odishaw, originally published in 1958. The book features contributions from renowned physicists and mathematicians, offering a comprehensive reference on physics and mathematics. The reviewer highlights its usefulness as a reference book, despite it being out of print and lacking exercises for learning from scratch. The video emphasizes the book's value for physics majors and enthusiasts, showcasing its dense content and diverse author contributions. The reviewer also notes the book's affordability and availability on Amazon.
Takeaways
- 📚 The book in question is a highly dense and comprehensive reference called 'Handbook of Physics', which is over three inches thick.
- 👨🏫 It was edited by Condon and Odisha, and written by a collective of renowned university professors and research professionals in physics and mathematics.
- 📘 The book is from 1958, showcasing a historical compilation of knowledge in the field of physics.
- 🌟 It features contributions from well-known figures in mathematics and physics, such as David Halliday and Fritz John.
- 🔢 The book begins with a section on mathematics, with each chapter attributed to its respective author, offering varied explanations and perspectives.
- 📈 It is designed to be concise, providing straight-to-the-point information without much hand-holding, making it a valuable resource for quick reference.
- 📚 The book is described as a 'beast of information', covering a vast array of topics in physics and mathematics.
- 💡 It serves as a fun resource for those interested in physics and mathematics, encouraging readers to explore and learn about various topics at random.
- 💰 Despite being out of print, the book is considered quite affordable, with used copies available on platforms like Amazon.
- 📝 It lacks exercises, making it more suitable as a reference rather than a learning tool for beginners.
- 📚 The physical book is appreciated for its ability to compile extensive knowledge in one place, despite the availability of information online.
Q & A
What is the title of the book discussed in the video?
-The title of the book is 'Handbook of Physics'.
Who are the editors of the 'Handbook of Physics'?
-The book was edited by Condon and Odisha.
What is unique about the authorship of this book?
-The book was written by University professors and research professionals in physics and mathematics, making it a collaborative work of some of the world's smartest people.
What year was the 'Handbook of Physics' published?
-The book was published in 1958.
What are some of the notable contributors to the book mentioned in the script?
-Notable contributors include David Halliday, who wrote a famous book on physics, and Fritz John, a very famous mathematician.
What is the structure of the book in terms of content?
-The book is divided into parts, with Part One focusing on mathematics and Part Two starting the physics section with mechanics.
Why is the book considered a reference book?
-The book is considered a reference because it is concise, straight to the point, and contains a vast amount of information on physics and mathematics.
What is the price range for used copies of the 'Handbook of Physics' on Amazon according to the video?
-The most expensive used copy found on Amazon was around $20 to $30.
Why is the book no longer in print?
-The script does not provide a specific reason for the book being out of print.
What are some of the topics covered in the mathematics section of the book?
-Topics in the mathematics section include arithmetic, ordinary differential equations, and partial differential equations.
What is the main drawback of using the 'Handbook of Physics' for learning from scratch according to the video?
-The main drawback is that the book lacks exercises and is not designed for beginners to learn from the ground up; it is primarily a reference book.
What is the physical thickness of the 'Handbook of Physics'?
-The book is over three inches thick.
What sentiment does the preface of the book convey about the effort put into its creation?
-The preface conveys that the book was the result of a significant effort, taking nearly 10 years to plan and compile, aiming to include what every physicist should know.
Outlines
📚 Exploring the 'Handbook of Physics'
The video script introduces a remarkably thick book titled 'Handbook of Physics,' edited by Condon and Odisha and written by renowned university professors and research professionals in physics and mathematics. Published in 1958, this book is a compilation of knowledge from various contributors, including famous figures like David Halliday and Fritz John. It covers a wide range of topics, starting with mathematics and moving into various areas of physics. The book is praised for its concise and to-the-point explanations, making it an excellent reference for those in the field. It's also noted for its affordability and the fun aspect of randomly opening it to learn new things. However, it is pointed out that the book is not meant for beginners and lacks exercises for practice.
🔍 Delving into the Depth of 'Handbook of Physics'
This paragraph delves deeper into the content of the 'Handbook of Physics,' highlighting its use as a reference for complex topics like differential equations and electromagnetism. The script mentions specific chapters and authors, emphasizing the book's comprehensive nature. It also touches on the historical aspect of book creation before the digital age and the impressive graphics included. The video script contrasts the physical book with the digital resources available today, arguing for the value of having a consolidated source of knowledge. The cons of the book, such as its limited use for beginners and the absence of exercises, are reiterated. The video ends with a mention of the book being out of print but available in used copies on Amazon.
📏 The Thickness and Legacy of a Physics Tome
The final paragraph of the script focuses on the physical attributes of the 'Handbook of Physics,' emphasizing its impressive thickness of over three inches. The book's cover and condition are discussed, along with the personal sensory experience of the book, such as its smell. The script humorously suggests that the knowledge within the book can be 'absorbed' through sniffing. The video concludes with an invitation for viewers to subscribe for more content on mathematics and other topics, and a promise to provide links to where the 'Handbook of Physics' can be purchased, despite being out of print.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Handbook of Physics
💡Physics
💡Mathematics
💡University Professors
💡Research Professionals
💡Reference Book
💡Concise
💡Newton's Method
💡Out of Print
💡Affordability
💡Content Density
Highlights
The book 'Handbook of Physics' is over three inches thick, making it an exceptionally dense compilation of knowledge.
Edited by Condon and Odisha, the book was written by a collective of renowned university professors and research professionals in physics and mathematics.
The book was prepared by EU Condon, a PhD, and Wayman Crow, a professor of physics at Washington University in St. Louis, and Hugh Odisha, the executive director of the U.S. National Committee for the International Geophysical Year.
Originally published in 1958, the book is a historical compilation of knowledge by some of the smartest people in the world at the time.
Contributors to the book include famous names such as David Halliday and Fritz John, indicating the high caliber of authors involved.
The book is structured with each chapter attributed to its author, providing diverse perspectives and explanations.
Despite being a physics handbook, it includes a comprehensive section on mathematics, with topics ranging from arithmetic to calculus.
The book is concise and to the point, serving as a reference rather than a step-by-step learning guide.
It contains a vast amount of information, making it an ideal resource for looking up specific topics in physics and mathematics.
The book is affordable, with used copies available on Amazon, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.
Although out of print, the book's value and demand are evident, as it is still sought after by those interested in physics and mathematics.
The book includes a variety of physics topics, from mechanics to electricity and magnetism, presented with detailed graphics and explanations.
It provides a historical perspective on how knowledge was compiled and disseminated before the digital age.
The book's preface emphasizes the extensive work and collaboration that went into creating a comprehensive reference for physicists.
Despite the availability of online resources, the physical book offers a unique, tangible compilation of knowledge.
The book's content is dense, with each chapter covering advanced topics in a condensed format, making it a rich source for learning specific concepts.
It lacks exercises, making it more suitable as a reference rather than a complete learning tool.
The book's size and thickness are notable, with a physical measurement provided to emphasize its comprehensive nature.
The book's cover is soft and worn, indicating its age and usage, but also its value as a historical document.
Transcripts
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: