Learn Physics on Your Own: Calculus-Based Resources

In summary: It's a great place to start if you're looking for introductory level material that's not too math-y. :)I also found this website which looks like it might be helpful for someone like me who is looking for more in-depth explanations:http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html Thank you for the links! I will definitely check them out!In summary, someone looking to learn calculus-based physics on their own is looking for resources that are well-written and introduce concepts in an easily-understood manner. There are many books and websites that can be helpful for this, but be careful to get the right one.
  • #1
GTdan
39
0
Hey ppl, I am new and as was wondering if you guys know of any web pages or books that I can get to learn calculus based physics on my own? I just recently found that my physics teacher is not a good one and the faculty in my university are not willing to do anything b/c he is the only one who can teach the class at that time of day. I thought I was doing pretty well but I plan on transferring to a different school to finish my degree and I don't want to end being shafted b/c I don't know what I am supposed to know.

On a side note, I am doing a report on the magnetic field of the earth. I tried looking for resources, but I wanted something a little more in depth with more calculations. Help would be VERY much appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #3
well, they don't have to be free. but thanks for site! :smile:
 
  • #4
Not free, but an excellent book, among the most widely used:

Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 5th ed., Raymond Serway & Robert Beichner

They recently released the 6th edition, so you should be able to find the 5th at a good price if you check around at used bookstores or campus bulletinboards.

Strangely, though, I looked online & didn't find any good deals. There were some listings that looked like good deals, but on closer inspection they seemed to be "partial" versions of the book. (Or it could be that the people were actually selling the right thing but the websites that listed them were inaccurate.) Be careful. There are various versions of this book. You don't want "Part I" or "Part II" or "Part II with Modern Physics".

Make sure you get the one that has all chapters 1-39. It has about 1400 pages (1288 + preface + appendix + index), covering mechanics, waves, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and 1 chapter on relativity.
 
  • #5
hehe. I use that book for class. It is ok but it only explains things well in the first few sections of a chapter and then after that it gets really hard to figure out what they are trying to say. The hyperphysics site is great though. Just what I was looking for. That way if I don't understand something in the book, I can go to the site and hopefully understand completely. thanks guys. oh, do you know what electrical engineers do in general? I asked the question in the engineering area but nobody responded yet.
 
  • #6
Halliday and Resnick is also very common, and I think it's a very solid textbook. The explanations are good, I think. And it's always a good idea to have a bunch of different books on the same subject. If I don't understand something, I can go to H&R or Serway or Feynman or Griffiths, or any combination of them if I don't like an explanation one of them gives!

Electrical engineers do "stuff" that uses electronics, in general. There is a huge variety of tasks that they perform, depending on the paticular company, the project, the position, the specialty, etc. They can do many things, from being a project manager for building a robot to designing a simple circuit.

cookiemonster
 
  • #8
thanx ppl!
 
  • #9
I just came across this site & thought of your thread. There's a lot of interesting info about modern physics on this site. Introductory level, no math, but good clear conceptual explanations that you may find helpful:

http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/cover.html [Broken]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #10
I am pretty glad I found this site. :)
 

1. What are some good resources for learning calculus-based physics on my own?

There are many great resources available for learning calculus-based physics on your own. Some popular options include textbooks such as "University Physics" by Young & Freedman, online lectures and videos from websites like Khan Academy and MIT OpenCourseWare, and practice problems and solutions from sites like Physics Classroom and HyperPhysics.

2. Do I need to have a strong background in calculus to learn physics on my own?

While having a strong foundation in calculus can certainly be helpful, it is not always necessary to learn physics on your own. Many resources are designed to introduce you to the necessary calculus concepts as they are needed in the context of physics problems. However, it is important to have a basic understanding of calculus before diving into calculus-based physics.

3. How can I stay motivated while learning physics on my own?

Learning physics on your own can be a challenging and sometimes daunting task. To stay motivated, it can be helpful to set small achievable goals for yourself, take breaks when needed, and find a study buddy or join a study group to stay accountable. It can also be helpful to remind yourself of the real-world applications and benefits of learning physics.

4. Are there any online communities for self-learning physics students?

Yes, there are many online communities and forums for self-learning physics students. Some popular ones include Physics Forums, Reddit's r/PhysicsStudents, and Stack Exchange's Physics Stack Exchange. These communities can be great resources for asking questions, discussing concepts, and finding study partners.

5. How can I test my understanding of physics concepts while learning on my own?

One of the best ways to test your understanding of physics concepts is by solving practice problems. Many resources, such as textbooks and online websites, offer a variety of practice problems with solutions. It can also be helpful to create flashcards or practice quizzes for yourself. Additionally, explaining concepts to others or teaching them to someone else can also be a great way to test your understanding.

Similar threads

  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
5
Views
676
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
632
Replies
4
Views
686
Replies
7
Views
806
  • Science and Math Textbooks
Replies
9
Views
849
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
6
Views
989
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
315
Replies
4
Views
777
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
12
Views
1K
Back
Top