There are many introductory physics texts that present mechanics at a level appropriate for Physical Foundations in Engineering I. We've chosen the text by Ronald Lane Reese because we like his thorough explanations, careful language, the abundance of figures, and the detailed examples that they provide. We recommend repeated, careful readings of the text throughout the semester.

However, just as we have our own styles of teaching, we recognize that individual students have their own styles of learning. In this context, you may find an alternative text to be useful as a complement to the required text. A concept that may be confusing when presented in one fashion can often be clarified with a different approach. Therefore, we also recommend that you spend some time in the early part of the semester browsing through the texts listed below. You may find one style of presentation to be particularly suited to your background and interests. The relevant text books can be found at our own library, Wellesley College library (see Physics 107 Course Carrel, located in the Science Library), or at MIT Science Library.

List of Alternative Texts

1. Richard Wolfson and Jay M. Pasachoff, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 3rd edition, 1999 [QC21.2 .W65 1987]
   This is a wonderful standard introductory physics book that is similar to your required text, yet utilizes different language to explain the same concepts.
   
   
2. Hans C. Ohanian, Physics, 2nd edition, volume 1, 1989 [QC21.2 .O372]
   This textbook utilizes very concise explanations. It also includes more difficult problems for you to practice.
   
   
3. David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, 5th edition, 1997 [QC21.2 .H35 1997c]
   This is a standard introductory physics textbook that has been around for about forty years! Of course, it has been significantly revised more than once. It is still probably the most used college physics text in the country.
   
   
4. Lawrence S. Lerner, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 1997 [q QC21.2 .L47 1996]
   This text is quite similar in spirit to our required text. The explanations are careful and complete.
   
   
5. Raymond A. Serway, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 3rd edition, 1997 [QC23 .S458 1990]
   This is another popular text across the country, very similar in presentation to Halliday, Resnick, & Walker.
   
   
6. Phyllis J. Fleming, Physics, 1978 [QC23 .F585]
   Wellesley College Professor Emerita, Physics Department, Phyllis Fleming authored this text. It is full of great explanations and examples. The order of presentation of concepts is significantly different than that found in most intro texts. Take a careful look at her book!
   
   
7. Eugene Hecht, Physics: Calculus, 2nd edition, 2000 [q QC21.2 .H43 2000]
   Hecht has a lively, down-to-earth writing style. The physics presentation is very solid.