How to Self Study Physics

The Math Sorcerer
7 Nov 202310:55
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the challenges and importance of learning physics, emphasizing its relevance to engineering majors. The speaker recommends 'Physics' by Gian Coley, an older edition textbook, for self-study due to its comprehensive content covering a wide range of physics topics. The book's modern approach, use of examples, and answers to odd-numbered problems make it an excellent resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of physics, despite the initial struggles one might face with the subject.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Physics and mathematics are challenging subjects that require significant effort and understanding.
  • 🎓 Most students who take physics are engineering majors, while pure physics and math majors are rarer.
  • 📖 The book 'Physics' by Gian Coley is recommended for self-study or as a supplement to physics courses.
  • 🌟 Despite being an older edition, the content remains relevant and useful for learning physics.
  • 🔍 The book covers a wide range of topics from basic principles to advanced concepts like quantum mechanics.
  • 📊 Physics problems often require a different approach than those in math courses, offering varied perspectives.
  • 💡 Strong math skills are essential for understanding and excelling in physics.
  • 🎯 The book includes numerous examples and exercises, which are crucial for practicing and solidifying understanding.
  • 📑 Answers to odd-numbered problems are provided in the book, aiding in self-assessment and learning.
  • 🌐 The speaker also recommends courses on their website for those interested in learning more about mathematics.
  • 🎓 For comprehensive learning, the book is suggested as a valuable resource that can be studied over months or years.
Q & A

  • Why are physics and math majors relatively rare compared to engineering majors?

    -Physics and math majors are relatively rare because most students who take physics and math courses are actually pursuing engineering majors, as these subjects are fundamental to engineering studies but not necessarily the primary focus.

  • What was the speaker's personal struggle with physics?

    -The speaker struggled with physics because they lacked a strong foundation in calculus, algebra, and overall math skills, which are crucial for understanding and applying physics concepts.

  • What is the title and author of the physics book discussed in the script?

    -The book discussed is titled 'Physics' and is authored by Gian Coley.

  • How does the book 'Physics' by Gian Coley cater to self-study?

    -The book is suitable for self-study as it contains a wealth of material, clear explanations, and has answers to odd-numbered problems in the back, allowing learners to check their work and practice their skills.

  • What are some of the topics covered in the book 'Physics' by Gian Coley?

    -The book covers a wide range of topics including kinematics, dynamics, circular motion, gravitation, work and energy, thermodynamics, electric charge and fields, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, light, quantum theory, and astrophysics, among others.

  • How does the book present physics concepts differently from calculus?

    -While the book covers topics found in calculus, such as kinematics and motion, it presents these concepts from a physics perspective, which can be engaging for students who are used to the calculus approach.

  • What is the significance of the book having a mathematical review section?

    -The mathematical review section is beneficial for students who may need a refresher on certain math concepts before diving into the physics problems. It provides a convenient resource for understanding the mathematical foundations required for the physics topics discussed in the book.

  • What type of problems can be found in the book for practice?

    -The book includes a variety of problems, such as those involving the motion of a kicked football, which help apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. These problems come with answers, but not full solutions, encouraging learners to work through them independently.

  • How does the book support learners with its structure and design?

    -The book is structured with clear explanations, a modern writing style, and uses color effectively in its illustrations. It also includes summaries at the end of each chapter, exercises, and a variety of problems for practice, making it a comprehensive resource for learning physics.

  • What additional resources does the speaker recommend for learning math?

    -The speaker recommends their own math courses available on the Udeny platform through their website, mathsourcerer.com, for those interested in learning math. They also mention lowering the price to make the courses more accessible.

  • What is the speaker's final verdict on the book 'Physics' by Gian Coley?

    -The speaker highly recommends the book for anyone interested in self-studying physics or looking to supplement their physics education. They praise its comprehensive content, modern approach, and the availability of answers to odd-numbered problems.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Introduction to Physics and its Challenges

This paragraph introduces the challenges of learning physics, emphasizing that it requires significant effort and understanding of mathematics. It highlights the common misconception that many students who take physics are engineering majors, while actual physics majors are rare. The speaker shares personal experiences with learning physics and the struggles faced due to weak mathematical foundations. The paragraph also introduces a recommended book for self-study, 'Physics' by Gian Coley, and mentions that the edition doesn't matter much. The speaker plans to provide a link to the book in the video description and discusses the book's comprehensive content, which includes various physics principles and applications.

05:02
🔌 Applications of Physics in Everyday Life

The second paragraph discusses the practical applications of physics in everyday life, particularly in the field of electricity. The speaker shares an anecdote about a friend who, despite not being a physicist, has extensive knowledge about electricity and can build circuits for real-world applications. The paragraph continues to list various topics covered in the book, such as magnetism, electromagnetic induction, AC circuits, and waves of light. It emphasizes the book's thorough coverage of physics, including quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics. The speaker also mentions a mathematical review section in the book, which is beneficial for those familiar with math. The paragraph concludes by discussing the book's features, such as answers to odd-numbered problems and its use of color in illustrations, making it an excellent choice for self-study or as a supplement to a physics course.

10:03
🚀 Encouragement for Physics Self-Study and Additional Resources

In the final paragraph, the speaker encourages viewers to consider self-studying physics using the book 'Physics' by Gian Coley, which is affordable and rich in knowledge. The speaker reiterates the book's comprehensive content and its usefulness for spending months or even years learning physics. The speaker also promotes their own website, mathsourcerer.com, for those interested in learning mathematics, and mentions that courses are available on the Udemy platform at a lowered price. The paragraph ends with a reminder to subscribe for more content and a final recommendation of the physics book, emphasizing its value for anyone looking to enhance their understanding of physics.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter, its motion, and behavior through space and time, along with related energy and forces. In the context of the video, it is the main subject of the book being discussed, which aims to teach self-study learners and complement those taking physics courses with its comprehensive content.
💡Engineering Majors
Engineering Majors refers to students who are pursuing a degree in engineering, a field that applies scientific and mathematical principles to design, build, and maintain structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes. The video mentions that most students taking physics classes are engineering majors because physics is a fundamental subject for many engineering disciplines.
💡Calculus
Calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with rates of change and accumulation, initially developed to study the geometry of curves and the areas under and between curves. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a strong foundation in calculus for understanding physics concepts, as many physics problems involve the application of calculus for solving them.
💡Kinematics
Kinematics is the branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of points, bodies, or systems of bodies without consideration of the forces that caused the motion. In the video, kinematics is mentioned as one of the topics covered in the physics book, focusing on the description of motion in one and two dimensions, such as velocity, acceleration, and displacement.
💡Dynamics
Dynamics is a subfield of mechanics that deals with the study of the forces that cause motion and the subsequent effects of these forces. In the context of the video, dynamics is a key concept in physics that involves understanding Newton's laws of motion, which are fundamental to explaining the relationship between force and motion.
💡Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is the branch of physics concerned with heat and temperature, and their relation to energy and work. It is a fundamental aspect of physics that explains how energy is transferred and converted in systems. In the video, the book is noted to cover the laws of thermodynamics, which are essential for understanding energy transformations and the behavior of matter under varying temperature conditions.
💡Electromagnetism
Electromagnetism is a branch of physics that deals with the interaction between electric and magnetic fields, and the forces they exert on charged particles. It is a fundamental concept in physics, as it explains a wide range of phenomena from the behavior of electrons in atoms to the operation of electrical devices. In the video, the book is mentioned to include topics on electromagnetism, such as electric charge, electric fields, and magnetic effects.
💡Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics is a fundamental theory in physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at very small scales, such as atoms and subatomic particles. It introduces concepts like wave-particle duality, superposition, and quantum states, which are essential for understanding the microscopic world. In the video, quantum mechanics is mentioned as one of the advanced topics covered in the physics book, indicating its importance in the modern understanding of physical phenomena.
💡Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physical properties and processes of celestial objects, including stars, planets, galaxies, and the universe as a whole. It applies the laws of physics to understand the behavior and evolution of these objects. In the video, astrophysics is mentioned as one of the advanced topics covered in the book, indicating the book's scope in providing a broad understanding of physics, including its application to the cosmos.
💡Textbook
A textbook is a comprehensive and structured educational resource that presents academic content on a specific subject, often including explanations, examples, exercises, and sometimes answers for self-study or classroom use. In the video, the book 'Physics' by Gian Coley is described as a textbook that is suitable for self-study and complementing formal education in physics, with its extensive content and problem-solving exercises.
💡Self-Study
Self-study refers to the process of independently learning a subject or skill without formal instruction or guidance from a teacher. In the context of the video, self-study is emphasized as a viable method for learning physics, with the book 'Physics' by Gian Coley being recommended as a resource that can facilitate this learning process through its comprehensive content and exercise answers.
Highlights

Physics is a challenging subject that requires significant effort and reading, especially for engineering majors.

Despite the common misconception, there are not as many students who major in physics or math as one might think.

The book 'Physics' by Gian Coley is a valuable resource for self-study in physics, regardless of the edition.

A strong foundation in math, including algebra and calculus, is crucial for understanding physics concepts.

The book covers a wide range of physics topics, from basic principles to advanced concepts like quantum mechanics.

The presentation of mathematical concepts in physics books differs from that in math books, offering a fresh perspective.

The book includes practical examples, such as the physics of a kicked football, to illustrate theoretical concepts.

The use of color in the book enhances the reader's understanding of the material.

The book provides answers to odd-numbered problems, which is helpful for checking work and understanding concepts.

The content is extensive, offering months to years of study for dedicated learners.

The book is affordable and can be a great addition to anyone's physics study material.

The author recommends the book for those who want to self-study physics or complement their existing physics courses.

The book is described as modern and well-written, making it an excellent choice for physics learners.

For those interested in mathematics, the author also recommends courses on their website, mathsourcerer.com.

The video description will include a link to the book for those interested in checking it out.

Transcripts

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