Choosing Between Physics Galaxy by Ashish Arora and Cengage BM Sharma for Physics Preparation
Determining the best book for your physics preparation depends on your personal learning style and goals. This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between the two popular choices: Physics Galaxy by Ashish Arora and Cengage BM Sharma. Both books have their unique strengths and considerations. If you are preparing for the 2021 entrance exams, this review will help you make an informed decision.
Physics Galaxy by Ashish Arora
Strengths
Clear Explanations and Conceptual Focus: Physics Galaxy is renowned for its clear and concise explanations, which are particularly appealing to students who struggle with complex concepts. Each chapter is structured to build a strong conceptual foundation, making it easier to grasp difficult topics.
Exemplary for Visual Learners: The book's structured approach and abundance of diagrams make it a great resource for visual learners. The diagrams help to illustrate concepts and make complex topics more accessible.
Enhanced with Video Lectures: In addition to the written content, Physics Galaxy offers video lectures, which can significantly enhance your understanding of the material. These videos provide a different perspective and can be highly beneficial for reinforcing your learning.
Strong Conceptual Foundation: The book is designed to help students build a robust conceptual base, which is essential for mastering physics. It focuses on helping students understand the why behind the concepts, rather than just the what.
Considerations
Potentially Less Comprehensive in Numerical Problems: While Physics Galaxy excels in concept building, it may not have as many numerical problems as Cengage. This could be a drawback for students who need extensive practice.
More Guided and Structured Learning: The book is tailored for students who prefer a more guided and structured approach to learning. However, if you are looking for a more independent study method, this might be a drawback.
Cengage BM Sharma
Strengths
Extensive Problem Sets: Cengage is widely recognized for its extensive problem sets covering a broad range of topics. This extensive practice is beneficial for students who need to improve their problem-solving skills.
Well-Structured Chapters: The chapters in Cengage are well-organized, making it easier to navigate through the book and find the information you need. This structure is particularly helpful for students who are comfortable with self-study.
Comprehensive Practice: For students who are comfortable with self-study, Cengage provides an excellent avenue for extensive practice. The variety of problems, from basic to advanced, helps build confidence and proficiency.
Considerations
Less Intuitive Explanations: Some students find the explanations in Cengage less intuitive than those in Physics Galaxy. This can make it more challenging to grasp concepts without additional resources.
Requires Supplementary Resources: While Cengage is comprehensive in terms of practice, it may require more effort and supplementary resources for a deep conceptual understanding.
Recommendations
Physics Galaxy for Conceptual Understanding: If you prefer a book that focuses on building a strong conceptual understanding and enjoy video content, Physics Galaxy might be the better choice. The video lectures and clear explanations can help solidify your conceptual knowledge and prepare you for theory-based questions.
Cengage for Extensive Practice: If you prefer a book that is excellent for extensive practice and problem-solving, Cengage BM Sharma would be more suitable. It provides a wide range of problems to help students build their problem-solving skills and prepare for numerical-based questions.
Complementary Use: Ultimately, both resources can be used together to complement each other. Physics Galaxy can help build a strong conceptual base, while Cengage can enhance your problem-solving skills. This dual approach can provide a well-rounded preparation for your physics exams.
Take Home Message
Both books are excellent, and the choice depends on individual learning requirements and personal preferences. If you want a limited number of quality questions that require critical thinking, Physics Galaxy is the way to go. However, if you need extensive practice and a structured approach to problem-solving, Cengage BM Sharma is highly recommended. You can also consider using both resources together to ensure a comprehensive preparation strategy.