Simulate exam conditions. Most university exams are at Level II difficulty.
The Harris Benson University Physics Third Revised Edition occupies a specific niche between algebra-based physics and advanced calculus-based physics.
Part 6: Electricity & Magnetism
Part 7: Optics
Part 8: Modern Physics
How does the Third Revised Edition stack up against its rivals? Let’s compare.
| Feature | Benson (3rd Rev. Ed.) | Halliday & Resnick (any ed.) | Young & Freedman (Univ. Physics) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Readability | Excellent – conversational | Good – but sometimes terse | Very Good | | Calculus rigor | Moderate (first-year level) | High | High | | Problem difficulty | Progressive (I to III) | Uniformly difficult | Moderate to difficult | | Diagrams | Clean, minimalist | Busy, detailed | Excellent, colorful | | Modern physics coverage | Solid (5 chapters) | Extensive | Extensive | | Price (used market) | Low ($20–$40) | Moderate ($60–$100) | High ($100+) | | Best for | Focused self-study | Competitive exams | University courses | harris benson university physics third revised edition
Verdict: Benson is the “sleeper hit.” It does not try to impress with color photos or celebrity authors. Instead, it wins through clarity and precision.
Caution: Ensure you get the “Third Revised Edition,” not simply the “Third Edition.” The Revised edition corrects dozens of errors from the initial third printing. Simulate exam conditions