Physics
Subject Resource Guide for Physics
Sections of this guide:
Encyclopedias | Reference
Works | Databases and Indexes
| Online Full Text Journals
| Call Numbers |
Organizations & Societies | Web
Resources
Encyclopedias
Provide excellent background/overview information. An excellent place to begin research. Contain articles written by experts for a general audience. Provide indexes indicating scope of coverage of a topic and pinpointing articles in which a concept will be discussed. Provide bibliographies for further reading.
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Macmillan Encyclopedia
of Physics (QC 5 .M15 1996) Useful for explanations of various physics concepts, theories, principles and phenomena. Also contains brief biographies of more famous physicists. |
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Encyclopedia
of Applied Physics (QC 5 .E543 1991) 23 volumes More detailed entries (10-40 pages) discussing various subjects within applied physics. Includes topics related to electrical engineering. |
Reference Books
Handbooks, dictionaries, statistical sources, tables; detailed or procedural information specific to the subject areas addressed.
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CRC
Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (QD 65 .H3)
Useful for many data tables: physical constants of chemical compounds,
vapor pressures, lattice energies, properties of metals and semiconductors,
optical constants, magnetic properties, etc. |
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Conversion
Tables of units for science & engineering, Horvath, Ari L. (QC 88 .H67 1986) When you need to go from Debyes to Coulomb-Meters or ounces per
square inch to tons per square kilometer. |
Databases and Indexes
Magazine, periodical and journal articles provide information on current developments, research trends, experiments and hot topics in a discipline. For every discipline, there are specific databases or indexes that provide article level information. Once articles are identified through the database or index search, look up the source journal in Vikat, PSU Library's online catalog, to locate them in the library. For a complete list of online databases and indexes, see the Library's Online Databases pages.
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The SPIN (Searchable Physics Information Notices) Database provides the most current indexing and abstracting of major American and Russian physics and astronomy journals. SPIN contains the abstracts of over 80 scientific journals published by the American Institute of Physics and its member societies, as well as selected articles from other scientific journals, totaling approximately 475,000 articles. |
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The Compendex database provides coverage of the world's engineering literature. It corresponds to the printed publication Engineering Index, plus additional conference records from the Engineering Meeting file. |
Online Full Text Journals
Many, but by no means all, of the journals of interest in physics are available online. Most of the journals require authentication for off campus use.
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arXiv.org e-Print Archive (http://www.arxiv.org/) This site archives many thousands of articles in physics, mathematics, nonlinear science, and computer science. This includes electronic versions of published journal articles, as well as non-peer-reviewed personally posted articles. This is a very important resource in the physics community. |
Call Numbers
Browsing the library shelves by call number ranges is another strategy for locating information on a topic; call numbers can help you get to the "right neighborhood" in the library stacks.
| Astronomy textbooks: QB 42 -62
Physics textbooks: QC 21-23 Mathematical Physics: QC 19.2 - 20.85 Mechanics: QC 114 - 168 Atomic Physics: QC 170 - 197 Acoustics: QC 221 - 246 Thermodynamics: QC 251-338 Optics: QC 350 - 467 Radiation Physics: QC 474 - 496 Electricity and Magnetism: QC 501 - 766 Nuclear and Particle Physics: QC 770 - 798 Geophysics: QC 801 - 849 Meteorology/Climatology: QC 851 -999 |
Organizations
Often the best way to find information on a topic is to look for material published by a professional society or an organization.
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The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is a not-for-profit membership corporation for the promotion, advancement ,and diffusion of the knowledge of physics and its application to human welfare. Includes links to SPINWeb and online journals. |
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APS represents more than 40,000 members in the arena of national, international, and governmental affairs. It publishes physics research journals; conducts over 20 national, divisional and regional meetings every year; and develops and implements effective programs in physics education and outreach. Site inlcudes links to virtual journals in science and technology, current events, and employment links. |
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The Institute of Physics is an international learned society and professional body for the advancement and dissemination of physics, pure and applied, and promotion of physics education. Site includes online journals, current events, and busines and industry links. |
Web Resources
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developed by:
Gretta Siegel
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Gretta Siegel
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