Under The Microscope

A-LEVEL PHYSICS (4th Ed) by Roger Muncaster; Stanley Thornes Ltd, 1993; 953 pages; $89.95

The author's aim has been to produce a book which is not so long that students are unlikely to read it. On the other hand the book is not a set of revision notes and it has been the intention to explain every topic thoroughly. It is hoped that the explanations are such that students will understand them; at the same time the content is intended to provide a proper basis for those students going on for further study in physics.

The book is aimed at the British A-Level physics courses but parts of it are suitable for the NZ Bursary Physics candidate. The contents are divided into seven main areas and, of these, the sections on Mechanics, Waves and the Wave Properties of Light, Electricity and Magnetism, and Modern Physics would be the most useful.

The chapters are well laid out with key points being highlighted by bold type or screening. There are plenty of worked examples throughout the text along with a good variety of questions at the end of each section. At the end of selected chapters are "consolidation" sections which are short summaries of essential points, and which could be used as chapter overviews.

The contents of the book are presented in a straightforward manner; there are no special gimmicks, no suggestions for practical work, just the ideas and explanations set out in a clear manner. I cannot see it being bought in large numbers by teachers for their physics classes, but I can see it being a useful reference book in a school.

George Murray is HOD Science at Mairehau High School in Christchurch.