Exploring Physics: Top Resources for High School Students

[Sweenebean]

Hello I am currently in high school and my high school only offers one physics class, but physics has always fascinated me. So my question is what are some resources you all found helpful as you were entering the world of physics? (Websites, blogs, books, video channels, etc...)

 

[mrnike992]

It seems you've already found Physics Forums, so that's one for sure. I always enjoyed reading the forum posts that went way over my head. (Senior in HS).

Here are a few Wikipedia articles that are interesting and good basic introductions to someone who is unfamiliar with too many concepts in physics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unsolved_problems_in_physics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduction_to_M-theory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_matter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_energy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schrödinger's_catIf you are not in calculus yet, this is a wonderful link that I used to learn a good semester of Calc the summer before my senior year:
http://www-math.mit.edu/~djk/calculus_beginners/This is a resource that has physics classes available for free.
http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htmhttp://www.physics.fsu.edu/courses/spring98/ast3033/relativity/generalrelativity.htm Some more interesting but very basic links:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/6546462/The-10-weirdest-physics-facts-from-relativity-to-quantum-physics.html
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Schrodingers-catNot really physics, but I fascinate myself with this link, even if it is a bit juvenile.
http://htwins.net/scale2/I'm sure there are a few more, but I found these all compiled in a link I sent to my friend a few months ago. Hope they help!

 

[Sweenebean]

Thank you so much! And thank you for the calc link. I'm a sophomore and currently in a dual enrollment pre calc class so all the exposure I've had to calc has been glossed over

 

[mrnike992]

No problem! Hope you find those useful.

 

[CalcNerd]

You might consider buying a used college textbook that is light on the math but not full of metaphysical fluff that is often in the bookstore.

One book I would suggest for either of you is Paul Hewitt's Conceptual Physics. Written for 1st or 2nd year college students w/o heavy math. Interesting without weighing you down with hard problems. Get a textbook that is one or two editions older than current version. Should be fairly cheap and an excellent source of information.

 

[ZapperZ]

Hello I am currently in high school and my high school only offers one physics class, but physics has always fascinated me. So my question is what are some resources you all found helpful as you were entering the world of physics? (Websites, blogs, books, video channels, etc...)

Have you gone through this?

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/so-you-want-to-be-a-physicist.240792/

Zz.

 

[Overt]

A great introduction is the Feynman Lectures. They follow a slightly different order than one that you'll find in courses which is beneficial because when/if you take those it will be a fresh take on the material. The Lectures can be semi-expensive on their own in physical form (unless you visit your local library!). In online form they're available for the wonderful price of free. When it gets more into the details the math can get slightly confusing if you haven't had calculus or some linear algebra. His in-text explanations are very unique and well worth checking out at any stage in your physics career however.

Here is the online version: http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/

Edit: If you're interested in becoming a scientist then absolutely read ZapperZ's post. It contains VALUABLE information and will present your development as a good physicist in a realistic light. The road is HARD and is only worth it if you LOVE physics or whatever you choose to study.

 

[eifphysics]

I suggest you to take a couple of MOOC courses in edx, coursera or World Science U. The topics include calculus, differential equation, linear algebra, classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, special relativity, quantum mechanics and many more. Taking a course is just not the same as studying a material by yourself. You'll have well designed course content and a group of co-learners to learn from.