Thread: Give me the basics.

I'm looking for some books, videos or websites that start with the basics of biology chemistry and physics. Stuff that doesn't expect the reader/viewer to have much prior knowledge of the subject.

Hi Buster and welcome to the forum. Could you give us an idea of the age level for the material you are seeking please.

just get edecxel/ocr as level and a2 level chemistry, physics, biology books; they cover the basics

Originally Posted by Ascended

Hi Buster and welcome to the forum. Could you give us an idea of the age level for the material you are seeking please.

Preferably something for an adult.

Originally Posted by bio

just get edecxel/ocr as level and a2 level chemistry, physics, biology books; they cover the basics

Thanks, I was looking at those earlier. This one seems quite useful: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edexcel-GCSE...dexcel+science

gcse is wayyyy too basic. how old are you?

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...GSA1guBYCXb-SQ

http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=C...eneral-Science



http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...gsel7LiF4iPYBA

Originally Posted by bio

gcse is wayyyy too basic. how old are you?

18, but I wasted my school science lessons and remember nothing.

Originally Posted by cosmictraveler

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...GSA1guBYCXb-SQ

http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=C...eneral-Science



http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...gsel7LiF4iPYBA

Those look great. Thanks!

You don't want to know the acids?

This will look like I'm a book promoter for my old tutor again but as far as chemistry goes if you want a basic introduction that reuquires no prior knowledge these may be worth a look:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Periodic.../dp/0465072666
http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Chemist...s=peter+atkins

Originally Posted by Buster

Originally Posted by Ascended

Hi Buster and welcome to the forum. Could you give us an idea of the age level for the material you are seeking please.

Preferably something for an adult.

General

http://www.lepp.cornell.edu/Educatio...ro_to_HEP1.pdf

British Science Association | British Science Association

The Royal Society: Welcome

The Complete Idiot's Guide to The Sun

Physics

Physics introduction:
http://www.peaceone.net/basic/Feynman/V1%20Ch02.pdf

Physics Study Guides

Chemistry

Beginners Chemistry Tutorials - Free chemistry Video Lectures

Chemistry 101 - Introduction to Chemistry

Basic Chemistry: Atoms and Ions

A Beginners Guide to Periodic Chemistry

http://www.wiley.com/college/sc/klei...stry_Klein.pdf

Chemistry Online

Rapid Learning Center - Chemistry Tips Weekly

Biology

The Essentials of Biology Basics - For Dummies

Biology 101 - Learn Online Free

http://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/notebook/

Fundamentals of Biology

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology

The Royal Society: Welcome

HowStuffWorks "Cell Biology Videos"

Video Clips for Biology!

Biology - Science - Brightstorm

Book List

Cosmos: Carl Sagan: 9780345331359: Amazon.com: Books

Physics for Dummies

Physics in Biology and Medicine, 3rd Edition

How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog

AS and A Level Physics Through Diagrams: Oxford Revision Guides

Why Chemical Reactions Happen

Originally Posted by bio

gcse is wayyyy too basic. how old are you?

I'm guessing the AS/A2 Level books will expect GCSE Level knowledge. Unfortunately I don't have that. If I'm wrong about the books, please tell me.

Originally Posted by Buster

Originally Posted by bio

gcse is wayyyy too basic. how old are you?

I'm guessing the AS/A2 Level books will expect GCSE Level knowledge. Unfortunately I don't have that. If I'm wrong about the books, please tell me.

Yes you are correct AS/A2 is A level or half A levels. If you are really looking for adult beginner levels for learning from scratch then GCSE level could very well be a good starting place. It's aimed at the 13-16 age range, but it should give you the basics, after all nobody can just jump right into degree level subjects without some prior knowledge that would be crazy.

Hey this site might help as it gives you a choice of both GCSE and A Level study for whatever you feel most comfortable with:

GCSE revision and A level revision | S-cool, the revision website

the gcse science books have a lot of mistakes and/or are too simplified that it is just wrong. get the a lvl books and if you dont understand a topic you can always search the internet. if you want reallly basic gcse stuff you can always use gcse bbc bitesize anyway

Originally Posted by bio

the gcse science books have a lot of mistakes and/or are too simplified that it is just wrong.

As far as chemistry goes (I have no experience studying or teaching the others) I would say exactly the same thing about A level books and even parts of a first year undergrad course! These "too simplified" things are presented for a reason. You can't hit kids or people who have no prior knowledge with hard core thermodynamics and QM (for example). The simplified approach in GCSE and A level books is necessary to get across the basic ideas, if you go no further you have a rough idea of what's going on (if a little inaccurate in the fine detail) if you do go for further study, understanding of the simplified version helps the understanding of the more complex ideas with fewer simplifications. You would find it very difficult to "get" molecular orbital theory for example from a standing start if you hadn't already studied the very simple Lewis dot/cross bonding ideas or valence bond theory...