- #1
Judah_Idris
- 4
- 2
I have a physics B.S. It seems like I learned little more than how to solve math problems as an undergrad. I want to know how the physical world works in concrete physical terms as much as is possible, so a big problem I have with physics is that concepts are very often explained in terms of models. I would prefer to know the exact experimental details that led to certain results, or at least understand the reasoning behind the models.
For example, in intro physics we learned that atoms are modeled as electrons orbiting in a huge empty space around a nucleus that contains protons because some guy bombarded a sheet of gold with charged particles and found that most of the charges hit empty space. Even at an introductory level, that description is insufficient for understanding why the atomic model is used.
The problem with models is that they constrain you to think of and interpret phenomena a certain way (in terms of the model instead of in terms of observations or experimental procedures). When you look at things through one specific lens like that, you can miss details or see things in a warped fashion. So I need to know the theoretical details behind the physical models so that I can predict and avoid blindspots caused by thinking in terms of those models.
I'm also interested in how certain oft-used equations (like Schrodinger's) came about.
So what kinds of things could I read to get this information? I'm interested in any of the subjects covered in a typical undergrad physics program as well as astrophysics. I don't trust most stuff that's posted online, but I'd read an authoritative website (like some sort of university website). I have tried a couple philosophy of science books, but they explain only the most general models. I wouldn't know what to read to get, for example, a discussion of the history and implications of viewing electricity/magnetism as a field or viewing atoms as a sort of mini solar system.
Maybe some history of physics books? So far the one I had mainly focused on the social aspect of history rather than describing experiments or tracing how/why certain models were adopted and became popular.
Where could I find, for example, a report of the Michelson-Morley experiment? Not just a description, but the entire experimental setup, observations, results, etc.
Thanks.
For example, in intro physics we learned that atoms are modeled as electrons orbiting in a huge empty space around a nucleus that contains protons because some guy bombarded a sheet of gold with charged particles and found that most of the charges hit empty space. Even at an introductory level, that description is insufficient for understanding why the atomic model is used.
The problem with models is that they constrain you to think of and interpret phenomena a certain way (in terms of the model instead of in terms of observations or experimental procedures). When you look at things through one specific lens like that, you can miss details or see things in a warped fashion. So I need to know the theoretical details behind the physical models so that I can predict and avoid blindspots caused by thinking in terms of those models.
I'm also interested in how certain oft-used equations (like Schrodinger's) came about.
So what kinds of things could I read to get this information? I'm interested in any of the subjects covered in a typical undergrad physics program as well as astrophysics. I don't trust most stuff that's posted online, but I'd read an authoritative website (like some sort of university website). I have tried a couple philosophy of science books, but they explain only the most general models. I wouldn't know what to read to get, for example, a discussion of the history and implications of viewing electricity/magnetism as a field or viewing atoms as a sort of mini solar system.
Maybe some history of physics books? So far the one I had mainly focused on the social aspect of history rather than describing experiments or tracing how/why certain models were adopted and became popular.
Where could I find, for example, a report of the Michelson-Morley experiment? Not just a description, but the entire experimental setup, observations, results, etc.
Thanks.