Books suggested for physics beginners

AI Thread Summary
In a discussion about self-studying physics at a beginner level, a 10th-grade student in India seeks recommendations for books beyond the basic state syllabus. They have already acquired "Fundamentals of Physics" by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker, and plan to explore "Berkeley Physics Course, Vol. 1 - Mechanics" by Kittel and Knight later. Participants suggest several additional resources, emphasizing the importance of calculus for a deeper understanding of physics. Notable recommendations include "General Problems in Physics" by I.E. Irodov, the "MIT Introductory Physics Series" by A.P. French, and "Introduction to Mechanics" by Kleppner and Kolenkow, which is particularly praised for its challenging problems. The consensus is to focus on specialized texts rather than general ones, as they believe that comprehensive books often fail to cover topics in depth. The student expresses gratitude for the suggestions and plans to visit a bookstore after exams.
benpaul
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Hello.
I'm in 10th grade,State syllabus in India.
The portions for physics are not in depth and not hard.
I want to learn more myself.
I'm good at maths.

Please suggest some books for a physics beginner like me.
It is for self study.
So please suggest some good books for a total beginner.
 
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I actually got these in India:

1) Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick and Walker
2) Berkeley Physics Course, Vol. 1 - Mechanics by Kittel, Knight et al

I haven't started using the second book yet and will have a crack at it next year, when I have some more time on my hands and have done some more calculus. Both books cost less than 600 Indian rupees each, if I recall correctly.

The book "General Problems in Physics" by I.E Irodov has been thrown around quite a bit, especially by people participating in the physics Olympiads in India.

There is also the "MIT Introductory Physics Series" by A.P French and "Introduction to Mechanics" by Kleppner and Kolenkow, the latter of which is used in the "honours" variant of freshman physics at the MIT.
 
If you're ready to study physics with calculus I suggest University Physics, by Young.
Otherwise, get your hands on a calculus book, and learn that. don't waste your time with non-calculus based physics- it's not very useful.
 
Introduction to Mechanics - Kleppner
I'd stay away from those 'all round' physics textbooks, rather than doing one subject well they do lots badly imo.
 
Thanks for these great options.
I will catch to the bookstore after my exams are over.

Cheers!
 
genericusrnme said:
Introduction to Mechanics - Kleppner
I'd stay away from those 'all round' physics textbooks, rather than doing one subject well they do lots badly imo.
This book. I didn't use this when I took intro mechanics but I think it would of been very tough and very rewarding. It's problems are challenging and insightful. It's like spivak for physics kind of.
 
This thread only works as a summary from the original source: List of STEM Masterworks in Physics, Mechanics, Electrodynamics... The original thread got very long and somewhat hard to read so I have compiled the recommendations from that thread in an online (Google Drive) spreadsheet. SUMMARY Permits are granted so you can make comments on the spreadsheet but I'll initially be the only one capable of edition. This is to avoid the possibility of someone deleting everything either by mistake...
By looking around, it seems like Dr. Hassani's books are great for studying "mathematical methods for the physicist/engineer." One is for the beginner physicist [Mathematical Methods: For Students of Physics and Related Fields] and the other is [Mathematical Physics: A Modern Introduction to Its Foundations] for the advanced undergraduate / grad student. I'm a sophomore undergrad and I have taken up the standard calculus sequence (~3sems) and ODEs. I want to self study ahead in mathematics...

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