Introductory Physics for the Health and Life Sciences II is adapted from the OpenStax textbook College Physics and has been extensively revised for students enrolled in introductory algebra-based physics courses, particularly those preparing for careers in the health and life sciences. While preserving the rigorous treatment of the fundamental principles of physics, this edition incorporates updated examples, modern illustrations, and applications drawn from medicine, biology, and healthcare to demonstrate the central role of physics in understanding living systems and medical technologies.
Physics provides the foundation for understanding many of the technologies and processes encountered in healthcare, including medical imaging, radiation therapy, electrocardiography, ultrasound, optics, fluid flow, biomechanics, and nuclear medicine. Throughout the text, special emphasis is placed on connecting physical principles to real-world applications that students are likely to encounter in their future professions.
Each chapter begins with clearly defined learning objectives and develops the underlying concepts through worked examples, illustrations, and problem-solving strategies. Healthcare Connections, Conceptual Questions, and end-of-chapter problems are included to help students strengthen both their quantitative reasoning and their conceptual understanding. Although the chapters are presented in a logical sequence, each chapter is designed to serve as a self-contained learning resource.
The organization of this textbook follows the progression of a typical two-semester introductory college physics course. The first half introduces mechanics, fluids, thermodynamics, waves, and sound, while the second half focuses on electricity and magnetism, optics, modern physics, and nuclear physics. Instructors may adapt the order of topics to meet the needs of their individual courses.
Topics Covered
- Electric Charge and Electric Fields
- Electric Potential and Voltage
- Electric Current, Resistance, and Ohm’s Law
- Direct-Current Circuits
- Magnetism
- Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Current
- Electromagnetic Waves
- Geometric Optics
- Wave Optics
- Special Relativity
- Quantum Physics
- Atomic Physics
- Radioactivity, Nuclear Physics, and Medical Applications
- Particle Physics and Frontiers of Physics
