Getting a picture of the whole of physics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the desire to understand the historical development of physics and mathematics, exploring the evolution of concepts from early thinkers to modern theories. Participants share resources and suggestions for books and timelines that could aid in this comprehensive exploration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Historical

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a strong desire to understand the historical context and development of physics and mathematics, seeking connections between theories and their evolution.
  • Another participant shares a Wikipedia timeline of fundamental physics discoveries as a useful resource for understanding the progression of the field.
  • A different participant suggests looking at Wikipedia pages on the history of mathematics and physics for additional starting points and references.
  • One participant recommends "A Cultural History of Physics" by K. Simonyi as a valuable book that provides a comprehensive overview of the history of physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of historical context in understanding physics and mathematics, but there are multiple suggestions for resources, indicating a variety of perspectives on the best approach to this exploration.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not resolved which specific resources are the most effective, and there may be differing opinions on the depth and content of the suggested materials.

Who May Find This Useful

Undergraduate students in physics or mathematics, educators seeking historical context for teaching, and anyone interested in the evolution of scientific thought.

PHY2000
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This is a difficult task but it's my reason for studying physics. I'm a physics undergrad.
I want , really badly، to get a picture of the development of the whole of physics and math up to this point. From the earliest thinkers who tried to put the world of experience into mathematical concepts, what is the earliest form of mathematics and how it gradually developed and branched so many different forms and what was the reason for each one.

Same with physics, what problems occupied Galileo and Newton, what assumptions they had to make, and how they developed their theories. So starting from very early I want to get a picture of how gradually Newton's mechanics, electromagnetism, relativity and quantum mechanics developed and most importantly how they built on the weaknesses of previous theories or expanded on them.

I know this is huge. But any advice on books or lectures that could help me with this is deeply appreciated. I went into physics to understand realty. And in my undergraduate years I have been given formulas and problems to solve without any background for why they are this way and what led to their development and their connections, it's like I have been inside the building of phyphys working the details Now I want get a look at the building from the outside.

I'm sorry if this is a bit vague. But this endeavor, for a lack of a better word is very important for me.
Thank you for the taking the time to read it.
 
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hello there!
I found this timeline

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_fundamental_physics_discoveries

on wikipedia and I think it gives a good picture. After that I suggest searching on the internet for each one of the names for an even better idea.
Apart from that I would suggest a book about the history of physics and maybe of the physicist himself in order to follow their way of thinking.
 
One of the best books of this kind, where you literally get a picture about the history of all of physics is

K. Simonyi, A Cultural History of Physics

with a good text and tons of original material.
 

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