Self-Taught Physics: Recommendations for Intermediate Classical Physics

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The discussion centers on finding rigorous self-taught physics materials for someone with an engineering background looking to deepen their understanding of classical physics. Recommendations include Goldstein's "Classical Mechanics" and Landau & Lifshitz's works, as well as specific texts for thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, electrodynamics, and quantum mechanics. Notable suggestions are Zemansky's "Thermodynamics," Hill's introductory book on statistical mechanics, and Kip's "Electricity and Magnetism." The conversation emphasizes the effectiveness of self-teaching over formal university courses, suggesting that independent study can be more beneficial for mastering complex physics concepts.
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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
 
Check out the Harvard intermediate classical mechanics class:

Current:

http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~phys151/

A different year:

http://huhepl.harvard.edu/~masahiro/phys151/
 
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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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