PHYSICS FOR ARCHITECTS, LLC
VENICE, FLORIDA

“Physics for Architects” is a physics textbook, intended to answer the needs of architecture students and to serve as a resource for architects and builders. While focusing on physics topics that are directly related to buildings and to the living conditions in them, it thoroughly covers the main principles and concepts of physics. The math introduction reviews the algebra and trigonometry topics and other basic concepts that are required for using its formulas in theoretical and practical applications. The physics component of architecture programs may vary from one program to another. The main variations are in the relative weights of the different physics topics and in the level of math with which each topic is treated. “Physics for Architects” addresses those realities. Its chapters are almost self contained, so that any program can select from it only the chapters that it needs. Each chapter deals with the basic concepts and with problems and applications that require various levels of math sophistication, so that each program can choose the most appropriate sub-topics and applications within a chapter. Each chapter can also serve as a standalone introduction to a professional architecture course, such as heat or acoustics, independent of the rest of the book. “Physics for Architects” is available as a print version and as a package consisting of an eBook and a WebAssign module for online learning and problem solving. Students of most undergraduate architecture programs in the United States are required to take an introductory physics course. There are three good reasons for that requirement. First, architects have to understand the fundamentals of physics as they apply to processes taking place in buildings and in structures. Second, as part of general education, physics broadens our understanding of the physical world around us. Third, since physics is an exact science that relies on mathematics, solving physics problems enhances the analytical and scientific thinking skills of the student. “Physics for Architects” was written specifically for architecture students, aiming to satisfy those three basic requirements. The specific details of an introductory physics course may vary from one architecture program to another. Different programs may have different overall concentrations, which may affect the relative weight of their physics component. Within any given architecture program, physics topics may be distributed between introductory physics and other professional courses. Also, different programs may put different emphasis on the mathematical aspects of physics, sometimes referred to as the “difficulty level of the physics course”. What is common to all architecture programs is that the total time allotted to introductory physics is between one and two semesters. “Physics for Architects” has been designed so that it could be used in a wide variety of undergraduate architecture programs, according to their specific needs. The math pre-requisites to all the topics in the book are high-school-level algebra and trigonometry. An intensive review, only of the mathematical concepts and techniques that are needed for the course, is provided as an introductory chapter. Detailed solved examples are embedded in the text, and problems of various levels of mathematical difficulty are provided at the end of each chapter. That should allow teachers to tailor the math level of each topic to the specific needs of their program and their students. Teachers may opt to teach some topics at the highest level of mathematics, while other topics could be addressed with lesser mathematical rigor, or even only qualitatively. It is common to distinguish between physics-type problems and engineering-type problems. Physics-type problems are those that can be solved by using physics formulas. Engineering-type problems rely not only on closed physics formulas, but also on practical approximations, simplifications, ad hock tables, and the likes. Most physics textbooks limit their scope to physics-type problems. However, many physics related problems that architects encounter are of the engineering-type. Most architecture programs teach those kinds of problems in specialized courses, distinct from introductory physics. This creates an unnecessary dichotomy between physics and its applications. One of the tenets of “Physics for Architects” is to bridge that gap and to demonstrate to architecture students the relevance of physics. Many engineering-type problems are included in the text. The transition from axiomatic, physics-type approach to practical, engineering-type approach in analyzing situations and solving problems is illustrated throughout the text. It should be noted, though, that “Physics for Architects” is a physics textbook, and it is not intended to be a replacement for the professional architecture books. Engineering-type discussions and problems are brought here as an introductory material, for illustrative purposes. Whenever a real situation has to be addressed, it is recommended that the reader seek professional advice and consult the professional literature. Although “Physics for Architects” has been designed for architecture students, “physics is physics”. The physics principles, concepts, formulas and ideas brought here are the same as those presented in other general purpose, introductory physics textbooks. The main difference is in the examples used to introduce and to explain the physics. Those examples are related to buildings and structures, and to their use by humans. Readers from other disciplines too may find the book interesting and effective in their study of physics. The second edition is an expansion of the first edition. The fundamental concepts of torques and center of gravity are explained now in greater detail. A new section about the catenary and stone arches is another example of the application of the conditions of static equilibrium. Resonance of simple structures in earthquakes is presented, relying mostly on algebra with quotes from calculus. A section about the acoustics of Strathmore Music Center, a modern concert hall, provides a lucid demonstration how basic physics principles are integrated in real life application. Other small improvements are peppered throughout the book, including new problems, many with direct relevance to architecture, and solutions of selected problems at the end of the book.