Written by a former Olympiad student, Wang Jinhui, and a Physics Olympiad national trainer, Bernard Ricardo, Competitive Physics delves into the art of solving challenging physics puzzles. This book not only expounds a multitude of physics topics from the basics but also illustrates how these theories can be applied to problems, often in an elegant fashion. With worked examples that depict various problem-solving sleights of hand and interesting exercises to enhance the mastery of such techniques, readers will hopefully be able to develop their own insights and be better prepared for physics competitions. Ultimately, problem-solving is a craft that requires much intuition. Yet, this intuition can only be honed by mentally trudging through an arduous but fulfilling journey of enigmas.
Mechanics and Waves is the first of a two-part series which will discuss general problem-solving methods, such as exploiting the symmetries of a system, to set a firm foundation for other topics.
Sample Chapter(s)
Chapter 1: Minimalistic Arguments
Contents:
- Minimalistic Arguments
- Infinitesimal Elements
- Kinematics
- Translational Dynamics
- Rotational Dynamics
- Energy and Momentum
- Statics
- Orbital Mechanics
- Fluids
- Oscillations
- Non-Inertial Frames
- Lagrangian Mechanics
- Waves
- Interference
Readership: High school students with an interest in the art of physics problem-solving, and/or readers interested to delve into the thought process of solving high school Physics Olympiad problems.
"This is a really helpful textbook particularly for those who are entering the higher rounds of the Physics Olympiad. Studying it would give a real appreciation of the depth and concentration required but also a feel for the rewards that solving these classical puzzles of physics can give."
Contemporary Physics
Wang Jinhui was a Physics Olympiad trainer at his alma mater, Hwa Chong Institution, from 2016 to 2017. An enthusiastic solver of challenging problems of which life is only a part, he placed first in the 2016 Princeton University Online Physics Competition and was awarded Bronze in the Singapore Physics Olympiad in 2014. Jinhui is currently pursuing his undergraduate studies at Stanford University.
Bernard Ricardo, PhD, is a Physics Consultant and a seasoned national trainer of Singapore's Physics Olympiad team (since 2005). He received his PhD in Physics from the National Institute of Education (2020), GradDip in Mathematics from the University of London (2013), M.Sc. in Applied Physics from the National University of Singapore (2010) and B.Eng. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Nanyang Technological University (2008). A passionate educator who received the Outstanding Physics Teacher Award from the Institute of Physics Singapore (IPS) for his contributions to the Singapore team as well as the Caring Teacher Award from the National Institute of Education, Dr Ricardo is currently researching physics education for high-performing students. As a former contestant himself, Dr Ricardo was awarded Silver in the 34th International Physics Olympiad (2003), as well as Gold and the "Best in Experiment" Award in the 4th Asian Physics Olympiad in the same year.
