how to teach yourself physics
TLDRThe video script is a comprehensive guide for individuals interested in self-studying physics. It outlines a detailed curriculum starting from basic undergraduate physics and calculus courses to advanced graduate-level topics. The speaker shares personal experiences and recommendations for textbooks, emphasizing the importance of understanding fundamental concepts before delving into specialized areas. The script also provides practical advice on how to find affordable textbooks and the value of engaging with the physics community for discussions and feedback.
Takeaways
- 📚 Start with foundational textbooks like Serway and Jewett's 'Physics for Scientists and Engineers' to build a comprehensive understanding of physics.
- 💡 Supplement textbook learning with online resources and video lectures for varied explanations and reinforcement of concepts.
- 🧠 Develop problem-solving skills by attempting physics problems without immediate access to the internet or solutions, to truly understand the material.
- 📅 Create a consistent study schedule to maintain progress and avoid forgetting previously learned material.
- 🧪 Include a lab component to physics learning, either through hands-on experiments or online simulations, to enhance understanding of theoretical concepts.
- 🤔 Engage with the physics community through public lectures, online forums like 'Ask Science' on Reddit, and by discussing physics concepts with others.
- 📈 Utilize study aids like graphing calculators and reference books for quick access to mathematical formulas and solutions.
- 📝 Keep a dedicated notebook for physics drawings, equations, and problem-solving to visualize and organize your learning process.
- 🚫 Avoid purchasing excessive textbooks; instead, focus on thoroughly understanding a single comprehensive text.
- 🎓 Consider formal education options like community college classes or online courses with TA support for structured learning and feedback.
- 🌟 Embrace the challenge and complexity of physics, knowing that persistence and consistent effort will lead to a deep understanding of the subject.
Q & A
What is the first physics textbook mentioned in the transcript?
-The first physics textbook mentioned is 'University Physics' by Young and Freedman, specifically the 7th edition.
Which calculus textbook does the speaker recommend for undergraduate physics students?
-The speaker recommends 'Stewart's Calculus' series for undergraduate physics students, which covers topics like differential equations and integrals with many proofs.
What is the importance of modern physics in the speaker's view?
-The speaker emphasizes that modern physics is important because it bridges the gap from classical physics to the more complex and advanced concepts of relativity, quantum mechanics, and particle physics.
Why does the speaker suggest buying older versions of textbooks?
-The speaker suggests buying older versions of textbooks because they are often available at a lower cost on platforms like eBay and still cover the necessary material effectively.
What is the speaker's opinion on Griffith's quantum mechanics textbook?
-The speaker believes Griffith's quantum mechanics textbook is very readable and fun, but it simplifies the subject so much that students might feel confident without actually grasping the full depth of quantum mechanics.
What does the speaker recommend for students who want to understand the mathematical side of quantum mechanics?
-The speaker recommends 'Quantum Mechanics: Fundamentals' by Shankar, a graduate-level textbook that covers both the math and the principles of quantum mechanics in a comprehensive manner.
How does the speaker feel about the availability of free online resources like the Feynman Lectures?
-The speaker appreciates the Feynman Lectures and considers them a valuable resource, but notes that they might not be suitable for everyone, especially for those looking for a more modern approach to physics education.
What is the speaker's advice on how to handle physics problems?
-The speaker advises not to use the internet while solving physics problems. Instead, one should spend time thinking about the problem, attempt to solve it, and only after a genuine effort, look up the solution if needed.
Why is the speaker against buying a large number of physics textbooks at once?
-The speaker is against this because it can be overwhelming and costly. Instead, they recommend focusing on a single comprehensive textbook and gradually building up knowledge before moving on to more specialized texts.
What is the speaker's final recommendation for someone wanting to teach themselves physics?
-The speaker's final recommendation is to buy the 'University Physics' textbook with modern physics, focus on understanding and solving problems from it, and consider engaging with physics communities for discussions and clarifications.
Outlines
📚 Introduction to Physics Learning Journey
The speaker begins by discussing the process of learning physics, mentioning the common stack of books used in educational videos. They share their personal experience with physics textbooks, emphasizing the importance of understanding the basics before delving into more complex topics. The speaker suggests that while some may skip modern physics, it's crucial to grasp the fundamental shifts from classical to modern physics.
📗 Quantum Mechanics and Differential Equations
The speaker delves into the study of quantum mechanics, recommending specific textbooks for undergraduate and graduate levels. They express their opinion that a popular textbook simplifies the subject too much, and instead recommend a more challenging book for a deeper understanding. The speaker also discusses the importance of learning linear algebra in conjunction with quantum mechanics and suggests a graduate-level textbook that covers both subjects comprehensively.
📙 Electromagnetism, Classical Mechanics, and Beyond
The speaker continues with the discussion on physics education, focusing on electromagnetism and classical mechanics. They recommend a standard textbook for electromagnetism and suggest that while learning this, students should also study vector analysis and linear algebra. The speaker then shares their views on quantum mechanics textbooks, emphasizing the importance of understanding the subject beyond just solving problems.
📕 Finding and Selecting Textbooks
The speaker addresses the challenge of finding the right textbooks, warning against popular science books that may not provide a comprehensive education in physics. They suggest using Google to find textbooks and recommend buying used books from platforms like eBay to save money. The speaker also advises against buying multiple textbooks at once, suggesting instead to focus on one comprehensive book to build a solid foundation in physics.
📔 Learning Physics Through Experiments and Discussions
The speaker emphasizes the importance of lab work in understanding physics concepts, sharing a personal story about learning through a seemingly simple lab experiment. They argue that physical experience with the world is crucial for developing a 'physics brain' and suggest engaging with physics through demos, online labs, and discussions. The speaker also provides tips on how to approach learning physics, including making a schedule, using the right supplies, and engaging with the subject daily.
🌟 Engaging with the Physics Community
The speaker concludes by highlighting the value of talking to others about physics as a means of learning. They suggest attending public lectures, participating in online forums like Ask Science on Reddit, and considering community college classes for direct interaction and feedback. The speaker reiterates the importance of not just passively consuming content but actively engaging with the physics community to develop a robust understanding of the subject.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Physics
💡Textbooks
💡Calculus
💡Modern Physics
💡Electromagnetism
💡Quantum Mechanics
💡Statistical Mechanics
💡Differential Equations
💡Theoretical Minimum
💡Study Strategies
Highlights
The speaker shares their experience with learning physics and recommends books they found useful.
For basic undergraduate physics, the speaker suggests Serway and Jewett's Physics textbook, 7th edition, for topics like kinematics, forces, conservation, and more.
Calculus is essential alongside physics, and the speaker recommends Stewart's series of calculus textbooks for undergraduates.
Modern physics, including relativity and quantum mechanics, is often skipped but is important for understanding the shift from classical to modern physics.
Griffith's Introduction to Electrodynamics is recommended as a standard text for electricity and magnetism.
The speaker advises against buying new textbooks and instead suggests finding older editions on eBay or using university course catalogs to find recommended texts.
For quantum mechanics, the speaker recommends Shankar's Principles of Quantum Mechanics over Griffith's Introduction to Quantum Mechanics for a more comprehensive understanding.
Boas' Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences is recommended for learning the necessary math for physics, including linear algebra and vector analysis.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the lab component in physics and suggests engaging with physical experiences to supplement theoretical learning.
The speaker suggests that learning physics is similar to learning a language, requiring consistent practice and exposure.
To develop a physics brain, the speaker recommends solving daily physics problems from websites like AP Physics or Physics GRE.
Discussing physics with others is crucial for learning, as it helps develop the ability to defend and support one's understanding with facts and logic.
The speaker proposes a 'hard mode' approach to learning physics by studying the Landau and Lifshitz course, which is a rigorous and comprehensive series of theoretical physics books.
For a more hands-on approach, the speaker suggests building a simple circuit kit to learn about electricity and magnetism practically.
The speaker shares a personal story about the value of physics labs in understanding abstract concepts, such as the simple harmonic oscillator.
To avoid distractions while studying, the speaker recommends sitting at a desk without a phone or computer and focusing solely on the material.
Transcripts
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: