Best Physics Workbook (2026): 5 Picks Compared

When physics homework turns into a wall of formulas, the best physics workbook gives a student worked examples and practice problems. We compared five workbooks and guides by page count, date, level and description.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Physical Science Workbook by Dellosa	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Electricity and Magnetism by McMullen	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Laws of Motion by McMullen	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Quantum Physics for Beginners by Pratt	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
5	The Cartoon Guide to Physics by Gonick	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Physical Science Workbook by Dellosa

Carson Dellosa Education·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A workbook of puzzles and problems on motion, energy, machines, force, electricity and circuits.

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Pros

• Grade level 5 - 12 and reading age 10 - 17 years both stated
• Covers motion, energy, machines, force, electricity, circuits
• 128 pages, published March 19, 2015

Cons

• Covers chemistry topics too, not physics only
• 2015 edition, older than the McMullen picks
• No answer key stated

2

Electricity and Magnetism by McMullen

Chris McMullen·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A calculus-based study guide and workbook on electricity and magnetism with solved examples.

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Pros

• Answers and explanations for every practice exercise
• 572 pages, published March 4, 2017
• Trig-based edition named for non-calculus readers

Cons

• University level with calculus
• No reading age or grade level stated
• Narrow topic: electricity and magnetism only

3

Laws of Motion by McMullen

Chris McMullen·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A calculus-based study guide and workbook on motion, Newton's laws, energy and rotation.

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Pros

• Answers and explanations for every practice exercise
• 484 pages, published September 11, 2016
• Trig-based edition named for non-calculus readers

Cons

• University level with calculus
• No reading age or grade level stated
• Covers motion topics only; E&M is a separate volume

4

Quantum Physics for Beginners by Pratt

Carl J. Pratt·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A beginner tour of quantum ideas, from wave theory to string theory, without heavy math.

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Pros

• Covers history, wave-particle duality and the photoelectric effect
• Avoids complex math, per the description
• 127 pages, published March 14, 2021

Cons

• No exercises stated; a guide, not a workbook
• No reading age or grade level stated
• Quantum-only topic, not general physics

5

The Cartoon Guide to Physics by Gonick

Larry Gonick·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An illustrated, humorous walk through velocity, acceleration, electricity and relativity.

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Pros

• Illustrated guide to velocity, acceleration, electricity, relativity
• 224 pages in one volume
• Funny illustrations for hard topics, per the description

Cons

• 1991 edition, the oldest here
• No exercises stated; a guide, not a workbook
• No reading age or grade level stated

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More picks to compare

• Waves, Fluids, Sound by McMullenThird McMullen volume, 448 pages, university level.Check on Amazon
• Basic Physics for BeginnersStudy guide and activity book, 131 pages.Check on Amazon
• Physics I Workbook For DummiesWorkbook with online practice, 352 pages.Check on Amazon
• AP Physics 1 Premium 2027Prep book with 4 practice tests, 252 pages.Check on Amazon
• McGraw Hill Physics ReviewReview workbook, 500 questions, grades 10 – 12.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 23 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. Only the Carson Dellosa listing states an age or grade: 5 – 12 and 10 – 17 years. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best physics workbook

Match the level to the course

The McMullen books state university level with calculus; the Carson Dellosa book lists grades 5 – 12. Match the book to the course: calculus-based volumes suit university students, the grade 5 – 12 book suits school students.

Check for answers to the exercises

Practice only helps if you can check your work. Both McMullen volumes state answers, hints and explanations for every exercise. The other listings state no answer key.

Mind the edition year

The Gonick guide is a 1991 edition; the Pratt book is from 2021. For more homeschool choices, browse our homeschool curriculum.

Before you buy

• Check the date: the McMullen E&M volume is March 4, 2017.
• Non-calculus readers: each McMullen listing names a trig-based edition.
• Confirm coverage: the E&M volume covers electricity and magnetism only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which workbook is best for high school physics?

The Carson Dellosa workbook lists grade 5 – 12 and age 10 – 17 years. The McMullen volumes state university level.

Do these workbooks include answers?

Both McMullen books state answers for every practice exercise; the others state no answer key.

Are the McMullen books available without calculus?

Yes. Each McMullen listing names a trig-based edition by ISBN.

Still deciding? Our top pickPhysical Science Workbook by Dellosa

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See every homeschool curriculum list and all workbooks and homeschool lists.

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