Description
The essential primer for physics students who want to build their physical intuition
Presented in A. Zee’s incomparably engaging style, this book introduces physics students to the practice of using physical reasoning and judicious guesses to get at the crux of a problem. An essential primer for advanced undergraduates and beyond, Fly by Night Physics reveals the simple and effective techniques that researchers use to think through a problem to its solution―or failing that, to smartly guess the answer―before starting any calculations.
In typical physics classrooms, students seek to master an enormous toolbox of mathematical methods, which are necessary to do the precise calculations used in physics. Consequently, students often develop the unfortunate impression that physics consists of well-defined problems that can be solved with tightly reasoned and logical steps. Idealized textbook exercises and homework problems reinforce this erroneous impression. As a result, even the best students can find themselves completely unprepared for the challenges of doing actual research.
In reality, physics is replete with back of the envelope estimates, order of magnitude guesses, and fly by night leaps of logic. Including exciting problems related to cutting-edge topics in physics, from Hawking radiation to gravity waves, this indispensable book will help students more deeply understand the equations they have learned and develop the confidence to start flying by night to arrive at the answers they seek. For instructors, a solutions manual is available upon request.
This along with migdal’s book = pure win.
If I had a machine I’d go back in time and get both books when setting out on my path to a doctorate. The new generation has no idea how good they have it!!!
All good – as expected
Thanks for your books – they’re hilarious, and offer a really fresh perspective full of physical insight!
I wish i had these books ( along the lines of The art of insight in science and engineering) much earlier in my life. Better late than never.
The author is amazing in his other books as well ( i can attest to fearful symmetry and Gravity in a nutshell).
Well worth it.
I wish that when I was in undergraduate school this book was available.