1st year Undergraduate Grad Physics books

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A mathematics student transitioning to their second year seeks summer study materials for first-year physics prerequisites, including topics like Astronomy, Quantum Phenomena, and Classical Mechanics. The recommended textbook is Young & Freedman's University Physics, but additional suggestions include the Feynman Lectures, Griffith's Electrodynamics, Taylor's Mechanics, and Schroeder's Thermal Physics. These resources are noted for being suitable for advanced undergraduates and provide a deeper understanding of introductory topics, with a variety of practice problems available. The Feynman Lectures are particularly challenging, aimed at top students, while the other texts cover foundational concepts at a more mature level. Overall, these recommendations will effectively prepare the student for their upcoming physics modules.
ltjrpliskin
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Hey guys, I am a maths student going onto second year. I wanted to take some physics modules but I'd need some 1st year physics pre-requisites. The topics I need to learn over the summer are:

Astronomy
Quantum Phenomena
Particle Physics
Waves
Electricity and Magnetism
Classical Mechanics and Relativity

The recommended book by the university is Young & Freedman's University Physics (covers all the above topics), but I was wondering if you could give me other suggestions? I am really into physics so something that would go deeper than a 1st year course would also be fine.

Thank you in advance! :)
 
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Feynman Lectures on Physics

Griffith's book on electrodynamics

Taylor, Mechanics

Schroeder, Thermal Physics
 
Jorriss said:
Feynman Lectures on Physics

Griffith's book on electrodynamics

Taylor, Mechanics

Schroeder, Thermal Physics

Thank you! Would these go beyond the first year since they are dedicated to a specific topic? And do they have lots of questions to practice on too? :)
 
ltjrpliskin said:
Thank you! Would these go beyond the first year since they are dedicated to a specific topic? And do they have lots of questions to practice on too? :)
They all go beyond a first year.

The feynman lectures are lectures for an intro course aimed at the very best at Caltech. That means they are freshman topics at a very high level.

Taylor, Griffiths and Schroeder are all designed for UD sequences but they cover intro topics too but at a mature level so, if you pick and choose what to read, it's approachable if you know some calculus and such.

They have tons of problems ranging from plug-n-chug to very, very challenging.
 
Jorriss said:
They all go beyond a first year.

The feynman lectures are lectures for an intro course aimed at the very best at Caltech. That means they are freshman topics at a very high level.

Taylor, Griffiths and Schroeder are all designed for UD sequences but they cover intro topics too but at a mature level so, if you pick and choose what to read, it's approachable if you know some calculus and such.

They have tons of problems ranging from plug-n-chug to very, very challenging.

I just checked the contents page on Taylor's Classical Mechanics... it has special relativity in it which is awesome! :)
 
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