Best books and lectures in general physics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for books and lectures in general physics that remain relevant today. Participants share their preferences for authors and resources that emphasize conceptual understanding over mathematical rigor.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest "Understand Physics" by Isaac Asimov for its conceptual approach without heavy mathematics.
  • Others highlight "The Feynman Lectures" as a valuable resource, praising Richard Feynman's teaching style.
  • One participant mentions enjoying works by Roger Penrose, Stephen Hawking, Kip Thorne, and Brian Greene, noting their accessibility despite minimal mathematical content.
  • A recommendation is made for R. Shankar's online first-year physics lectures at Yale, emphasizing his teaching effectiveness and humor.
  • Another participant recommends Shankar's associated books, while also suggesting Halliday and Resnick's "Fundamentals of Physics" for a comprehensive first-year text with exercises.
  • One participant expresses a preference for "Fundamentals of Electricity and Magnetism" by Arthur F. Kip, describing it as easy and informative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of preferences for different authors and resources, indicating no consensus on a single best option. Multiple competing views on preferred materials remain evident.

Contextual Notes

Some recommendations depend on personal teaching styles and the balance between conceptual understanding and mathematical rigor, which may vary among readers.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in general physics, particularly those seeking accessible resources that emphasize conceptual understanding over mathematical complexity.

Peter25samaha
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Can anyone suggest good books and lectures in general physics that can still help in physics nowadays ? And i like to know best authors names in physics .
 
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I really enjoyed Understand Physics by Isaac Asimov. It delves more into the conceptual side of physics without getting too mathematical
The Feynman Lectures are available online as well, they're pretty good. Feynman is king.
 
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Jess Karakov said:
I really enjoyed Understand Physics by Isaac Asimov. It delves more into the conceptual side of physics without getting too mathematical
The Feynman Lectures are available online as well, they're pretty good. Feynman is king.

I read it all (feynman lectures ) i like read for roger penrose stephen hawking kip thorne and brian greene they don't use math in their books but i think these author are good
 
Consider the online first year physics lectures given at Yale by R. Shankar. (This is the same guy who wrote the widely used book Principles of Quantum Mechanics.)
I recommend these because aside from Shankar being an unusually good teacher, his sense of humour makes the lectures very entertaining as well.

Lectures
Shankar, Fundamentals of Physics I: http://oyc.yale.edu/physics/phys-200
Shankar,Fundamentals of Physics II: http://oyc.yale.edu/physics/phys-201​

Books
Fundamentals of Physics: Mechanics, Relativity, and Thermodynamics, R. Shankar – Dec 2 2013
Fundamentals of Physics II: Electromagnetism, Optics, and Quantum Mechanics, R. Shankar – due out Jun 2016​
Although these are the associated books, they seem to be largely derived from the lectures themselves. So go for a more traditional all-in-one first year physics text that includes lots of exercises, my favourite is the widely used Fundamentals of Physics, Halliday and Resnick.
 
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Khaye inta min Lubnan ?
 
Physicaa said:
Khaye inta min Lubnan ?

What ?
 
i liked Fundamentals of Electricity and Magnetism, by Arthur F. Kip. Very easy and informative textbook.
 
Peter25samaha said:
What ?
Sorry, I thought you would have understood me lol
 

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