Self-Taught Physics: Recommendations for Intermediate Classical Physics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on recommendations for self-taught physics reference and learning materials, specifically focusing on intermediate classical physics. Participants share various resources and books that could help someone with a background in engineering and a desire to deepen their understanding of classical physics concepts and mathematics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks recommendations for rigorous self-taught physics books, emphasizing a blend of conceptual understanding and mathematical rigor.
  • Another participant suggests Goldstein's Classical Mechanics and Mechanics by Landau & Lif****z as suitable texts.
  • A suggestion is made to check out Harvard's intermediate classical mechanics class resources, providing links to current and past course materials.
  • Further recommendations include Goldstein's Classical Mechanics (2nd edition or less), Lanczos' Variational Principles, Zemansky's Thermodynamics (4th ed), Howard Reiss' Methods of Thermodynamics, Hill's introductory book on statistical mechanics, Arthur Kip's electricity and magnetism, and Hartle's relativity.
  • One participant expresses a belief that self-teaching is more effective than enrolling in university courses, suggesting that universities primarily serve to grant degrees.
  • A later reply notes that a previous post in the thread was made over six years ago, indicating a potential lack of recent engagement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no clear consensus on the best resources, as participants offer various recommendations and perspectives on self-teaching versus formal education. The discussion remains open with multiple competing views on the effectiveness of different learning approaches.

Contextual Notes

Participants' recommendations depend on their personal experiences and may not account for all learning styles or preferences. The discussion does not resolve which specific texts are superior or universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for self-learners, engineering students, or professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of classical physics at an intermediate level.

Bayou Tiger
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Hey, everyone. I just found this board tonight, and I would definitely appreciate some insight on physics reference and learning materials.

Can anybody recommend a good self-taught book (or set of books) for physics? Recently I renewed an interest in physics (as kind of a hobby), and I am looking for something more rigorous than an introductory college text. For now, I would like to focus strictly on classical physics to review, reinforce, and fill in some of the gaps at an intermediate level. Hopefully there is something available with a good blend of conceptual and mathematical. Any ideas?

Backgroud
- Full-time engineer
- BS in Eng, currently working on MS
- Intro physics, circuits, materials, statics, dynamics in college (math up to partial differentials with some vector calc)
- Intuitive thinker but like to calibrate intuition with equations

Thanks in advance!
 
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Goldstein's Classical Mechanics and/or Mechanics by Landau & Lif****z
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mechanics: Goldstein Classical Mechanics (2nd edition or less), then Lanczos' Variational Principles.

Thermodynamics: Zemansky Thermodynamics (4th ed) and Howard Reiss' Methods of Thermodynamics

Statistical mechanics: Hill's introductory book

Electrodynamics: Arthur Kip's electricity and magnetism.

Quantum Mechanics: Resnick and Eisberg's Quantum mechanics of molecules, particles, etc.

Relativity: Hartle's relativity


After this intermediate stage, move on to the Landau's series.
 
Also, forget about enrolling in a physics course in the university.
Great minds learn best by self-teaching.

Universities serve little purpose beyond granting degrees and PhDs.
 
Dude, the post preceding yours in this thread was more than six years ago!
 

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