Robert Resnick
Encyclopedia
Robert Resnick is a well-respected physics
educator and author of physics textbooks.
He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 11, 1923 and graduated from the Baltimore City College
high school in 1939. He received his B.A. in 1943 and his Ph.D. in 1949, both in physics from Johns Hopkins University
. From 1949 to 1956, he was a member of the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh
, where he first met David Halliday
, with whom he wrote his most widely read textbook. He later became a professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
and was head of the interdisciplinary science curriculum for fifteen years. During his years at RPI, he co-authored seven textbooks on relativity, quantum physics, and general physics, which have been translated into more than 47 languages. It is estimated that over seven million students have studied from his books. In 1960, Physics, the first-year textbook he wrote with Prof. Halliday, was published. The book has been used widely and is considered to have revolutionized physics education. Now in its ninth edition in a five-volume set revised by Jearl Walker
, and under the title Fundamentals of Physics
, it is still highly regarded. It is noted for its clear standardized diagrams, very thorough but highly readable pedagogy, outlook into modern physics, and challenging, thought provoking problems. In 2002 the American Physical Society named the work the most outstanding introductory physics text of the 20th century.
He received the Oersted Medal
(1974), the highest award given by the American Association of Physics Teachers
, and was president of that society from 1986 to 1990. As well as being a Fulbright Scholar
, he was also an honorary research fellow and visiting professor at Harvard University
(1964–65). Other awards include that of being an Honorary Visiting Professor to the People's Republic of China (in 1981 and 1985), the Exxon Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching (1954), the RPI Distinguished Faculty Award (1971), Outstanding Educator of the Year (1972), a fellow of the American Physical Society
and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
, and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma XI
honorary societies.
Upon his retirement in 1993, he was RPI's commencement speaker and a special nationally sponsored International Meeting in Physics Education was held in his honor. Rensselaer created the Robert Resnick Center for Physics Education as well as the "Robert Resnick Lecture," in which a prominent scientist visits the school; well known past speakers have included Leon Lederman in 2002 and Kip Thorne
in 2005. He was inducted into Rensselaer's Hall of Fame in 2003.
Positions Held
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
educator and author of physics textbooks.
He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 11, 1923 and graduated from the Baltimore City College
Baltimore City College
The Baltimore City College , also referred to as The Castle on the Hill, historically as The College, and most commonly City, is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. The City College curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate Programme and emphasizes study in the classics...
high school in 1939. He received his B.A. in 1943 and his Ph.D. in 1949, both in physics from Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
. From 1949 to 1956, he was a member of the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, where he first met David Halliday
David Halliday (physics)
David Halliday was an American physicist widely known for his physics textbooks, Physics and Fundamentals of Physics, which he wrote with Robert Resnick...
, with whom he wrote his most widely read textbook. He later became a professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Stephen Van Rensselaer established the Rensselaer School on November 5, 1824 with a letter to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Blatchford, in which van Rensselaer asked Blatchford to serve as the first president. Within the letter he set down several orders of business. He appointed Amos Eaton as the school's...
and was head of the interdisciplinary science curriculum for fifteen years. During his years at RPI, he co-authored seven textbooks on relativity, quantum physics, and general physics, which have been translated into more than 47 languages. It is estimated that over seven million students have studied from his books. In 1960, Physics, the first-year textbook he wrote with Prof. Halliday, was published. The book has been used widely and is considered to have revolutionized physics education. Now in its ninth edition in a five-volume set revised by Jearl Walker
Jearl Walker
Jearl Walker is a physicist noted for his book Flying Circus of Physics, first published in 1975; the second edition was published in June 2006...
, and under the title Fundamentals of Physics
Fundamentals of Physics
Fundamentals of Physics is a calculus-based physics textbook by David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker. The textbook is currently in its ninth edition and is published in a five-volume set. The current version is a revised version of the original textbook Physics by Halliday and Resnick,...
, it is still highly regarded. It is noted for its clear standardized diagrams, very thorough but highly readable pedagogy, outlook into modern physics, and challenging, thought provoking problems. In 2002 the American Physical Society named the work the most outstanding introductory physics text of the 20th century.
He received the Oersted Medal
Oersted Medal
The Oersted Medal recognizes notable contributions to the teaching of physics. Established in 1936, it is awarded by the American Association of Physics Teachers. The award is named for Hans Christian Ørsted. It is the Association's most prestigious award....
(1974), the highest award given by the American Association of Physics Teachers
American Association of Physics Teachers
The American Association of Physics Teachers was founded in 1930 for the purpose of "dissemination of knowledge of physics, particularly by way of teaching." There are more than 10,000 members that reside in over 30 countries. AAPT publications include two peer-reviewed journals, the American...
, and was president of that society from 1986 to 1990. As well as being a Fulbright Scholar
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the...
, he was also an honorary research fellow and visiting professor at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
(1964–65). Other awards include that of being an Honorary Visiting Professor to the People's Republic of China (in 1981 and 1985), the Exxon Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching (1954), the RPI Distinguished Faculty Award (1971), Outstanding Educator of the Year (1972), a fellow of the American Physical Society
American Physical Society
The American Physical Society is the world's second largest organization of physicists, behind the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. The Society publishes more than a dozen scientific journals, including the world renowned Physical Review and Physical Review Letters, and organizes more than 20...
and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
, and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma XI
Sigma Xi
Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society is a non-profit honor society which was founded in 1886 at Cornell University by a junior faculty member and a handful of graduate students. Members elect others on the basis of their research achievements or potential...
honorary societies.
Upon his retirement in 1993, he was RPI's commencement speaker and a special nationally sponsored International Meeting in Physics Education was held in his honor. Rensselaer created the Robert Resnick Center for Physics Education as well as the "Robert Resnick Lecture," in which a prominent scientist visits the school; well known past speakers have included Leon Lederman in 2002 and Kip Thorne
Kip Thorne
Kip Stephen Thorne is an American theoretical physicist, known for his prolific contributions in gravitation physics and astrophysics and for having trained a generation of scientists...
in 2005. He was inducted into Rensselaer's Hall of Fame in 2003.
Positions Held
- President's Fund Scholar at Johns Hopkins University (1946–49)
- Faculty of Physics, University of Pittsburgh (1949–56)
- Professor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1956? - 1974)
- Edward P. Hamilton Distinguished Professor of Science Education at RPI (1974–93)
- Professor Emeritus at RPI (1993 - )
- Board of National Commission on College Physics (1960–68)
- Advisory Board project Physical Science for Non-Scientists (1964–68)
- Co-Director for the national project on Physics Demonstration Experiments (1962–70)
- Advisory Editor, John Wiley & Sons publishers (1967–1983)
- Chairman Interdisciplinary Science Curriculum, RPI (1973–1988)
- President of American Association of Physics Teachers (1986–89)