Books for the theoretical minimum video courses

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a gap year student eager to delve into physics, particularly through Leonard Susskind's lectures available at the Theoretical Minimum. The student seeks recommendations for books that align with these courses, emphasizing the desire for texts that use similar examples as the lectures. Suggested readings include Susskind's own books on mechanics and quantum mechanics, as well as classics like Kleppner & Kolenkow for mechanics and Griffith's book on electrodynamics, although these require a solid calculus background. The student has completed high school with A-level math and plans to take a calculus course. Additionally, there is a request for information on downloading the quantum mechanics lecture videos.
nicklas_m123
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Hi, everyone.

I'm currently taking a gap year, and my plan is to study physics, probably for the rest of my life (With that I mean, reading and learning physics for the rest of my life ;-) )

But I thought why not start now? I kind of have fallen in love with the lectures held by Leonard Susskind, that you can find on the theoretical minimum (http://theoreticalminimum.com/courses).
But the problem is, that I don't know what books I should read that relates to the courses.

Since the lectures are from Stanford University, I thought it might be possible to find the study plans the students followed when the lectures were filmed.
Or maybe you could recommend some books that match each course?
It's just that, it would be nice with a book that is using some of the same examples like in the lectures.

BTW, the book should be a book, you would read when taking a degree in physics at college. Or else I could just have read the book "The theoretical minimum".
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What's your background in mathematics?
Kleppner & Kolenkow is a classic book on mechanics. I've heard that Griffith's book on electrodynamics is very good, also. But book of them require you to have a solid understanding of calculus.
 
vanhees71 said:
Susskind has written 2 books in the theoretical-minimum series (mechanics and quantum mechanics), and I think they are great as a starting point.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...m&sprefix=susskind+,aps,214&tag=pfamazon01-20
Yeah, I know. But i really want to immerse myself into physics. And i don't think that two books with a total number of around 800 pages, covering so many different courses, can be that detailed. But yeah, I'm considering to read both of them, as a starting point.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
ramzerimar said:
What's your background in mathematics?
Kleppner & Kolenkow is a classic book on mechanics. I've heard that Griffith's book on electrodynamics is very good, also. But book of them require you to have a solid understanding of calculus.

Well, i have just finished high school with A level math, so i don't have the solid understanding yet. But off course it is my intention to take a course in calculus.
But thanks for the recommendations.
 
Does anyone know where I can download the theoretical minimum quantum mechanics videos? I was able to download the classical mechanics video from Itune U.
 

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
15
Views
6K
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
12
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
3K
Back
Top