This e-mail is intended for students enrolled in:

PHYS 2A A00 WI12 Physics-Mechanics

PHYS 2A B00 WI12 Physics-Mechanics

PHYS 2A C00 WI12 Physics-Mechanics

I have received quite a few emails from students with the same few questions, and I am guessing many of you

have the same questions. So I am answering to all (please excuse me if you wrote directly to me and did not

get an individual answer).

1. Q:I will be taking Physics up to 2C level. Do you recommend me getting the book for 2A, 2B, and 2C together?

ANS: No. The custom version (or equivalently the slim volumes called "Part I" and "Part II") cover only the material in 2A, not in 2B or 2C. But the instructors for those courses are likely to choose a different text.

2. Q: Will the 3rd edition of the Physics 2ABC textbook be acceptable for use in this course?

ANS: There is no "Physics 2ABC" textbook. Each course 2A, 2B and 2C may well use a different text.

There used to be a single heavy volume covering all of 2ABC (a textbook by Wolfson and Pasachoff, permanently in its third edition because it is discontinued from printing). But with the advent of etext, custom printing and slim texts containing only parts, the Physics department freed the instructors to make their own choices a few years ago.

3. Q: I followed the link to try and purchase the textbook and it says that the item has not yet been

published. Is there a risk it may not get to campus before the class starts?

ANS: Do not worry. The publisher has assured me it will get in on time.

4. Q: Should I have the text mailed home or to my UCSD address?

ANS: If your permanent address is out of town and you are spending the break there, you may wonder whether you should choose to have the textbook mailed to your San Diego address rather than there. I will try to get an estimate for earliest possible shipments form the publisher and email you all with that information as soon as it becomes available. But I am guessing they will start shipping the first week in January (yes, it is cutting it short but we will be alright). So it is probably safest to ship to your San Diego address.

Surely there will be more questions. Do not hesitate to email me, I will do my best to answer them.