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Physics 126
Advice regarding your textbook

Your textbook is an invaluable resource. It contains huge amounts of information, and you can learn from it at your own pace -- without having to make an appointment!
The Textbook: General
The Textbook: Lectures
The Textbook: Homework
The Textbook: Studying


The Textbook: General

Also, because your textbook contains such huge amounts of information, you should treat it like an encyclopedia. There are many things in the book that we will simply not have time to cover in two semesters. We will also intentionally present some of the material differently than the textbook does. This way, between the lectures, and textbook you can see the material in different formats.

The Textbook and Lectures

Because the textbook is a resource that you can use on demand, make an attempt to read it, both before and after lectures. By reading before hand, you can be familiar with the material before you see it (so that you can concentrate on the concepts in lecture). By reading afterward, you solidify the material in your memory.

The Textbook and Homework

The textbook contains a great deal of information regarding the material, and homework problems on which to test your knowledge.

The Textbook and Studying

Although the textbook has a lot of information, it is generally well organized. Each chapter has one (or at most two) "main points." When you are studying, you should ask yourself the question -- what is the one main point that I am supposed to get out of this.
Some people find that it is useful to take each chapter from the text, and put it on a few lines of one side of a 3''x5'' notecard, along with the one or two main formulae below it. The backside of the card can then be used for examples.

If you have any questions, or comments, please e-mail them to me at doty@denison.edu. Thanks!