Subject Resource Guide for Physics

Selected and updated by reference librarians in support of the TC3 programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences - Math/Science. Selection criteria include quality, content, reliability and currency.

Books and Media

Books on Reserve
Browsing the Collection
Subject Headings
Selected Reference Books

Articles and Databases

TC3 Databases for Periodicals and Scholarly Journals
Open Access Journals, Databases, Directories and Repositories

Books and Media

Books on Reserve

Books on reserve are shelved behind the Circulation Desk.

College Physics, 6th ed. (2003) [PHSC104] [Instructor: Swinnich, Janet]

College Physics, 5th ed. (1999) [PHSC104] [Instructor: Swinnich, Janet]

The Physics Toolbox [PHSC104] [Instructor: Testa, Paul]

Solutions (2000)[ELEC127] [Instructor: Swinnich, Janet]

Solutions Manual, 7th ed. (2005) [ENSC203] [Instructor: Swinnich, Janet]

Solutions Manual, 6th ed. (2000) [ENSC203] [Instructor: Swinnich, Janet]

Browsing the Physical Sciences Collection

The main Library of Congress classification designation for Physics is QC. Related classes include: General Science, Mathematics, Astronomy, Technology and Engineering.

Class Q - Science

If you can't find what you are looking for by browsing the shelves, please consult the TC3 Library Catalog, the SUNY Union Catalog or WorldCat to find books at other libraries. If you need help, ask a librarian in person or use the Ask-A-Librarian service.

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)

You can search for materials in the Library's catalog by keyword or Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). The red, five-volume set, Library of Congress Subject Headings, is located in front of the reference desk, next to the public access computers. Specific subject headings in the biological and life sciences are far too numerous to list on this page. Here are examples of LCSH from the Library of Congress Science Tracer Bullet Online.

PHYSICS--EXPERIMENTS (Highly Relevant)
PHYSICS--HISTORY (Highly Relevant)
PHYSICS--PHILOSOPHY (Highly Relevant)
PHYSICS--LABORATORY MANUALS (Relevant)
PHYSICS--METHODOLOGY (Relevant)
PHYSICS--OUTLINES, SYLLABI, ETC. (Relevant)
PHYSICS--PERIODICALS (Relevant)
PHYSICS--PROBLEMS, EXERCISES, ETC. (Relevant)
PHYSICS--PROGRAMMED INSTRUCTION (Relevant)
PHYSICS--STUDY AND TEACHING (Relevant)
PHYSICS--RESEARCH (Related)
PHYSICS IN LITERATURE (Related)
PHYSICS--CONGRESSES (Related)

Selected Reference Books in the TC3 Library

You'll find most of these books in the labelled "REFERENCE" section of the stacks — whenever the Call Number begins with the letters, "REF." Use these books in the library.

Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia [REF QB14 .A873]
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics [REF QD 65 .H3]
CRC Handbook of Mechanical Engineering [REF TJ151 .C73]
Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights, and Measures: their SI Equivalences and Origins [REF QC94 .C295]
Engineering Handbook [REF TA151 .E424] (Electrical Engineering Handbook Series)
How Things Work: the Physics of Everyday Life [O-SIZE QC21.2 .B59]; [REF QC21.2 .B59]
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Physics [REF QC5 .M424]
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology: an International Reference Work in Twenty Volumes including an Index [REF Q121 .M3]
Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Physical Science; a Historical and Critical Essay [B67 .B8] - Originally printed in 1924, this essay provides a philosophical exploration of "early modern science ... and the metaphysical paragraphs of Sir Isaac Newton."
New York Public Library Science Desk Reference [REF Q173 .B25]
Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia [REF Q121 .V269 2002]

Articles and Databases

TC3 Databases for Periodicals and Full-Text Articles

Tompkins Cortland Community College Library subscribes to a number of Databases which provide access to abstracts or full-text articles from journals and newspapers. You can also consult our list of Periodical Titles in Full Text Electronic Format. There are options to search by publication title or browse journals in selected subjects. Recommended subjects include: Physical Sciences and Mathematics and Technology and Applied Sciences. The TC3 Library subscribes to many print periodicals that are available for reading in the library.

Open Access Journals, Databases, Directories, and Repositories

Scholarly articles are increasingly available for free in many open access journals and digital repositories online. Even if you can't access the full text, you can search for peer-reviewed articles in several databases, such as Agricola and PubMed.

arXiv.org e-Print Archive - Los Alamos National Laboratory and Cornell University present a digital repository of scientific preprints: "arXiv is an e-print service in the fields of physics, mathematics, non-linear science, computer science, and quantitative biology."
Directory of Open Access Journals - "Service covers free, full text, quality controlled scientific and scholarly journals." It is possible to browse publications by subject, including: Science (General), Mathematics and Statistics, Technology and Engineering, and Physics and Astronomy.
The National Academies - The National Academies consists of four organizations: the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. They "address critical national issues and give advice to the federal government and the public." You can access resources (journals, news, etc.) by Topic. Topics include: Engineering, Mathematics and Physics and Space.
National Science Foundation - The National Science Foundation's website includes Directorates in Mathematics and Physical Sciences and Engineering.
SciELO: Scientific Electronic Library Online - Website provides free access to journals from Brazil and other Latin America and Caribbean countries. Available in three languages: ENGLISH, ESPAÑOL, PORTUGUÊS.
Science Tracer Bullets - "The Library of Congress SCIENCE TRACER BULLET SERIES contains research guides that help you locate information on science and technology subjects. With brief introductions to the topics, lists of resources and strategies for finding more, they help you to stay "on target." Go to their website for a full list of titles. Selected Science Tracer Bullets in physics include:
Back to top

Internet Resources

Selected Websites

Criteria for selection include: authority of publisher, significant breadth and/or depth of content, reliability and currency of information.

Astronomy and Physics

Advanced Placement Digital Library - Advanced placement physics resources linked to the AP content outlines, published by the College Board. Registration is mandatory but access to materials is then free.
ComPADRE: Resources for Physics and Astronomy Education - "This partnership of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), the American Astronomical Society (AAS), the American Institute of Physics, the Society of Physics Students, and the American Physical Society (APS) helps teachers and learners find, and use, high quality resources through collections and services tailored to their specific needs."
Particle Adventure: the fundamentals of matter and force - This is an "interactive tour of quarks, neutrinos, antimatter, extra dimensions, dark matter, accelerators and particle detectors."
Physics Internet Resources - The American Physical Society's (APS) website provides links to: Exhibits and Special Events, Publications, Scientific Societies, Education/Scientific Reference Sites, a "hotlist" of physics websites and portals, as well as access to information by field.

General Science Collections

The websites listed below offer information in a many science disciplines, including physics and related subjects. Generally, you can either browse or search the individual sites.

Eric Weisstein's World of Science - This Internet resource provides information related to several science areas, including Physics and Astronomy.
Graph Paper - Create your own graph paper design or download a design.
howstuffworks - This website offers practical explanations about the operation of things in many subject areas, including: computers, autos, electronics, home, health, money, travel, people, science, etc.
National Science Digital Libary (NSDL) - Resource collections are reviewed for quality information in the sciences, math, education and technology.
Science.gov - U.S. portal to selected science websites that you can explore by topic, including: Applied Sciences & Technology, Astronomy & Space, and Math, Physics & Chemistry.
The Smithsonian Institution - The Smithsonian Institution provides a portal to a multitude of research sources, museums and exhibits. The Science and Technology online exhibits provide colorful views of many topics in the subject areas of animals, ecology, botany, etc.
Think Quest Library: Science & Technology - The Think Quest Library provides links to websites created by students and submitted for prizes in annual competitions since 1996. Categories include: Astronomy, Physical Science, Scientific Method & Practice and Technology.

Selected Citation Guides

OWL Online Writing Lab: Research and Documenting Sources - Purdue University's Online Writing Lab presents helpful examples for MLA and APA formats and annotated bibliographies.
Using CBE Style to Cite and Document Sources - "This chapter's guidelines for citing Internet sources stem from the principles presented in the sixth edition of Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, published by the Council of Biology Editors (now the Council of Science Editors) in 1994."
Citation Guides: How to Cite Sources - A wide selection of citation materials selected by TC3 librarians.

Tutorials on How to Use the Databases

Library Lessons: Databases - Basics of searching databases, including the library's catalog.
Library Lessons: Evidence - Lesson explores the structure of research evidence and how to distinguish it from anecdotal evidence.
Library Lessons: Citation - Breaks the citation process down into a step-by-step process.
Library Lessons: Deepening Your Research - Specific techniques that will make your research more interesting, both to you and your teacher.

Last update: Monday, February 11, 2008

Tompkins Cortland Community College



		Subject Resource Guide for Physics Selected and updated by reference librarians in support of the TC3 programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences - Math/Science. Selection criteria include quality, content, reliability and currency. Books and Media Books on Reserve Browsing the Collection Subject Headings Selected Reference Books Articles and Databases TC3 Databases for Periodicals and Scholarly Journals Open Access Journals, Databases, Directories and Repositories Internet Resources Selected Websites Selected Citation Guides Tutorials on Research and Databases Books and Media Books on Reserve Books on reserve are shelved behind the Circulation Desk. College Physics, 6th ed. (2003) [PHSC104] [Instructor: Swinnich, Janet] College Physics, 5th ed. (1999) [PHSC104] [Instructor: Swinnich, Janet] The Physics Toolbox [PHSC104] [Instructor: Testa, Paul] Solutions (2000)[ELEC127] [Instructor: Swinnich, Janet] Solutions Manual, 7th ed. (2005) [ENSC203] [Instructor: Swinnich, Janet] Solutions Manual, 6th ed. (2000) [ENSC203] [Instructor: Swinnich, Janet] Browsing the Physical Sciences Collection The main Library of Congress classification designation for Physics is QC. Related classes include: General Science, Mathematics, Astronomy, Technology and Engineering. Class Q - Science QA Mathematics QB Astronomy QC Physics T Technology TA Engineering TD Environmental Technology If you can't find what you are looking for by browsing the shelves, please consult the TC3 Library Catalog, the SUNY Union Catalog or WorldCat to find books at other libraries. If you need help, ask a librarian in person or use the Ask-A-Librarian service. Back to top Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) You can search for materials in the Library's catalog by keyword or Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). The red, five-volume set, Library of Congress Subject Headings, is located in front of the reference desk, next to the public access computers. Specific subject headings in the biological and life sciences are far too numerous to list on this page. Here are examples of LCSH from the Library of Congress Science Tracer Bullet Online. PHYSICS--EXPERIMENTS (Highly Relevant) PHYSICS--HISTORY (Highly Relevant) PHYSICS--PHILOSOPHY (Highly Relevant) PHYSICS--LABORATORY MANUALS (Relevant) PHYSICS--METHODOLOGY (Relevant) PHYSICS--OUTLINES, SYLLABI, ETC. (Relevant) PHYSICS--PERIODICALS (Relevant) PHYSICS--PROBLEMS, EXERCISES, ETC. (Relevant) PHYSICS--PROGRAMMED INSTRUCTION (Relevant) PHYSICS--STUDY AND TEACHING (Relevant) PHYSICS--RESEARCH (Related) PHYSICS IN LITERATURE (Related) PHYSICS--CONGRESSES (Related) Back to top Selected Reference Books in the TC3 Library You'll find most of these books in the labelled "REFERENCE" section of the stacks — whenever the Call Number begins with the letters, "REF." Use these books in the library. Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia [REF QB14 .A873] CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics [REF QD 65 .H3] CRC Handbook of Mechanical Engineering [REF TJ151 .C73] Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights, and Measures: their SI Equivalences and Origins [REF QC94 .C295] Engineering Handbook [REF TA151 .E424] (Electrical Engineering Handbook Series) How Things Work: the Physics of Everyday Life [O-SIZE QC21.2 .B59]; [REF QC21.2 .B59] McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Physics [REF QC5 .M424] McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology: an International Reference Work in Twenty Volumes including an Index [REF Q121 .M3] Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Physical Science; a Historical and Critical Essay [B67 .B8] - Originally printed in 1924, this essay provides a philosophical exploration of "early modern science ... and the metaphysical paragraphs of Sir Isaac Newton." New York Public Library Science Desk Reference [REF Q173 .B25] Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia [REF Q121 .V269 2002] Back to top Articles and Databases TC3 Databases for Periodicals and Full-Text Articles Tompkins Cortland Community College Library subscribes to a number of Databases which provide access to abstracts or full-text articles from journals and newspapers. You can also consult our list of Periodical Titles in Full Text Electronic Format. There are options to search by publication title or browse journals in selected subjects. Recommended subjects include: Physical Sciences and Mathematics and Technology and Applied Sciences. The TC3 Library subscribes to many print periodicals that are available for reading in the library. Back to top Open Access Journals, Databases, Directories, and Repositories Scholarly articles are increasingly available for free in many open access journals and digital repositories online. Even if you can't access the full text, you can search for peer-reviewed articles in several databases, such as Agricola and PubMed. arXiv.org e-Print Archive - Los Alamos National Laboratory and Cornell University present a digital repository of scientific preprints: "arXiv is an e-print service in the fields of physics, mathematics, non-linear science, computer science, and quantitative biology." Directory of Open Access Journals - "Service covers free, full text, quality controlled scientific and scholarly journals." It is possible to browse publications by subject, including: Science (General), Mathematics and Statistics, Technology and Engineering, and Physics and Astronomy. The National Academies - The National Academies consists of four organizations: the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. They "address critical national issues and give advice to the federal government and the public." You can access resources (journals, news, etc.) by Topic. Topics include: Engineering, Mathematics and Physics and Space. National Science Foundation - The National Science Foundation's website includes Directorates in Mathematics and Physical Sciences and Engineering. SciELO: Scientific Electronic Library Online - Website provides free access to journals from Brazil and other Latin America and Caribbean countries. Available in three languages: ENGLISH, ESPAÑOL, PORTUGUÊS. Science Tracer Bullets - "The Library of Congress SCIENCE TRACER BULLET SERIES contains research guides that help you locate information on science and technology subjects. With brief introductions to the topics, lists of resources and strategies for finding more, they help you to stay "on target." Go to their website for a full list of titles. Selected Science Tracer Bullets in physics include: Aerodynamics (Mechanics of Flight) Aircraft Balloons and Airships Astronomy and Astrophysics Introductory Physics Back to top Internet Resources Selected Websites Criteria for selection include: authority of publisher, significant breadth and/or depth of content, reliability and currency of information. Astronomy and Physics Advanced Placement Digital Library - Advanced placement physics resources linked to the AP content outlines, published by the College Board. Registration is mandatory but access to materials is then free. ComPADRE: Resources for Physics and Astronomy Education - "This partnership of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), the American Astronomical Society (AAS), the American Institute of Physics, the Society of Physics Students, and the American Physical Society (APS) helps teachers and learners find, and use, high quality resources through collections and services tailored to their specific needs." Particle Adventure: the fundamentals of matter and force - This is an "interactive tour of quarks, neutrinos, antimatter, extra dimensions, dark matter, accelerators and particle detectors." Physics Internet Resources - The American Physical Society's (APS) website provides links to: Exhibits and Special Events, Publications, Scientific Societies, Education/Scientific Reference Sites, a "hotlist" of physics websites and portals, as well as access to information by field. General Science Collections The websites listed below offer information in a many science disciplines, including physics and related subjects. Generally, you can either browse or search the individual sites. Eric Weisstein's World of Science - This Internet resource provides information related to several science areas, including Physics and Astronomy. Graph Paper - Create your own graph paper design or download a design. howstuffworks - This website offers practical explanations about the operation of things in many subject areas, including: computers, autos, electronics, home, health, money, travel, people, science, etc. National Science Digital Libary (NSDL) - Resource collections are reviewed for quality information in the sciences, math, education and technology. Science.gov - U.S. portal to selected science websites that you can explore by topic, including: Applied Sciences & Technology, Astronomy & Space, and Math, Physics & Chemistry. The Smithsonian Institution - The Smithsonian Institution provides a portal to a multitude of research sources, museums and exhibits. The Science and Technology online exhibits provide colorful views of many topics in the subject areas of animals, ecology, botany, etc. Think Quest Library: Science & Technology - The Think Quest Library provides links to websites created by students and submitted for prizes in annual competitions since 1996. Categories include: Astronomy, Physical Science, Scientific Method & Practice and Technology. Back to top Selected Citation Guides OWL Online Writing Lab: Research and Documenting Sources - Purdue University's Online Writing Lab presents helpful examples for MLA and APA formats and annotated bibliographies. Using CBE Style to Cite and Document Sources - "This chapter's guidelines for citing Internet sources stem from the principles presented in the sixth edition of Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, published by the Council of Biology Editors (now the Council of Science Editors) in 1994." Citation Guides: How to Cite Sources - A wide selection of citation materials selected by TC3 librarians. Back to top Tutorials on How to Use the Databases Library Lessons: Databases - Basics of searching databases, including the library's catalog. Library Lessons: Evidence - Lesson explores the structure of research evidence and how to distinguish it from anecdotal evidence. Library Lessons: Citation - Breaks the citation process down into a step-by-step process. Library Lessons: Deepening Your Research - Specific techniques that will make your research more interesting, both to you and your teacher. Back to top Last update: Monday, February 11, 2008
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