Advice for Artemis: Future Physics Courses

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around Artemis, a 12-year-old seeking advice on future physics courses after completing a private course in Quantum Physics. Participants are exploring potential next steps in his academic journey, particularly regarding nuclear physics and the necessary mathematical background.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Artemis expresses interest in pursuing nuclear physics as his next course.
  • Participants inquire about Artemis's mathematical background, noting his familiarity with Calculus I/II and trigonometry.
  • There is a request for information about the physics textbooks Artemis has used to gauge his current level of understanding.
  • Artemis lists several textbooks he has engaged with, including "The Character of Physical Law" and "The Feynman Lectures on Physics," but admits to not recording all of them.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of referencing textbooks by their authors rather than titles for clarity in academic discussions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of understanding Artemis's mathematical background and textbook experience, but there is no consensus on specific recommendations for future courses or the best approach to discussing textbooks.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of detailed information about the specific content of the courses Artemis has taken and the textbooks he has used. There is also uncertainty regarding the depth of his understanding of the listed materials.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for young students interested in advanced physics studies, educators seeking to understand student backgrounds, and those considering the progression from introductory to more specialized physics courses.

Artemis3013
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Hello everyone. My name is Artemis (namesake of Greek goddess/hunter yet I am male) and I am seeking advice on my future academic study. I am currently 12 years old, and though that is a subtle age I am currently taking private courses in Quantum Physics. My course is about to be completed and was wondering about what my next course, involving Physics, should be. I am familiar with many concepts and was thinking of pursuing a course in nuclear physics. Thanks in advance for your guidance.
Regards, Artemis.
 
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What does your mathematical background look like?
 
Well, first of all thank-you was replying so suddenly. Secondly, as I said I am only 12 years old, so in terms of my mathematical "background" I seem to be pretty skilled in it. I am familiar with Calculus I/II and everything before it such as trigonometry.
 
Which physics textbook are you using now, and which ones have you used in the past? That would help us understand the level that you are at now.
 
Good thing I kept an online MySQL database of my textbooks.
The Character of Physical Law
The Feynman lectures on Physics
Theoretical concepts in physics
E-Z Physics
Classical Mechanics
QED: The strange theory of light and matter
Introductory Quantum Mechanics

Unfortunately later I became lazy and didn't record the rest.
 
Artemis3013 said:
Good thing I kept an online MySQL database of my textbooks.
The Character of Physical Law
The Feynman lectures on Physics
Theoretical concepts in physics
E-Z Physics
Classical Mechanics
QED: The strange theory of light and matter
Introductory Quantum Mechanics

Unfortunately later I became lazy and didn't record the rest.
There are many books called Classical Mechanics and Introductory Quantum Mechanics. Who are the authors? And which of those books did you work through fully?
 
^^

In general, people talk about textbooks in terms of authors, not titles. I couldn't tell you to save my life, without looking it up, the name of the textbook that we've used here for the last 4 or 5 years in our intro physics course for non-majors, and I bet not very many other professors could do it with their textbooks, either. But when I say "Serway and Vuille," my colleagues know which one I'm talking about. Same for upper-level books.
 

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