Good resources for a beginner getting into Quantum Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for resources to help beginners get started in Quantum Physics, including books, online courses, and video lectures. Participants share their experiences and suggest a progression of study from classical mechanics to quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that beginners should first cover classical mechanics and electromagnetism before approaching quantum mechanics (QM), emphasizing the need for a solid mathematical foundation.
  • Griffiths' QM is recommended as a standard undergraduate text, along with the Feynman Lectures, particularly Volumes 1 and 3, as a gradual introduction to QM concepts.
  • Another participant shares their personal experience of struggling with QM in 10th grade and finding success after a year and a half of studying physics and mathematics.
  • A playlist by Professor Dave is mentioned as a helpful resource for understanding modern physics and QM, particularly for solving the Schrödinger equation.
  • Susskind's "Theoretical Minimum" books and lecture series on YouTube are suggested as additional resources for learning QM.
  • Yale's online introductory physics courses and MIT's 8.04SC course are noted as valuable options, with different teaching styles that complement each other.
  • Thomas Moore’s "Six Ideas that Shaped Physics" is mentioned as a resource that some people find beneficial, although one participant has not personally reviewed it.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for foundational knowledge before tackling QM, but there are various opinions on the best resources and approaches to learning the subject. No consensus is reached on a single best resource.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of prior knowledge and comfort with mathematics, which may influence their recommendations. The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences and preferences regarding learning materials.

Who May Find This Useful

Beginners interested in Quantum Physics, educators looking for resource recommendations, and individuals seeking structured pathways to advance their understanding of physics.

schrodingers_cat
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Summary:: I’m a beginner trying to get into Quantum Physics, and want some good resources (e.g. books) to get me started.

Hi everyone!
I’m a beginner trying to get into Quantum Physics, and want some good resources (e.g. books) to get me started.
I have a very basic knowledge of physics (10th grade high school) but want to advance my knowledge.
Thank you.
 
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schrodingers_cat said:
I have a very basic knowledge of physics (10th grade high school) but want to advance my knowledge.
then you should probably cover classical mechanics, E&M and then start with QM. You will also have to study a lot of math. QM has a lot of prerequisites!

As far as book's are concerned Griffiths QM is a standard undergrad text used for QM. You could also start with Vol1 of the Feynman lectures and work your way to Vol3 which is on QM. I think its very difficult to jump straight from 10th grade physics to a QM textbook, you could although read pop-sci books on QM and then slowly with time as you learn the math and become familiar with some of the ideas move on to a standard rigorous text.

I also wanted to learn QM in 10th grade, but after looking through a textbook on the subject in a book store I decided that will have to wait(the book looked like it was written in a different language with weird symbols and curly d's all over the place), it was only this year(12th grade) that I was able to progress smoothly(give or take) through Griffiths after studying physics and math's for a long one and a half years.

Check out this playlist on modern physics and Quantum Mechanics by Prof.Dave .
The last 10 video's deal with solving the Schrödinger equation, he goes through these very slowly and is easy to follow if you become comfortable with some single variable calc.
 
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Thank you! I started watching Professor Dave Explains and he’s really good! I worked out that what I’ve previously covered was Classical Physics, and the next logical step would be to look at Modern Physics. I will look at books and the Feynman lectures once I have a basic knowledge of Modern Physics. 😀
 
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You can check out Susskind's Theoretical Minimum, both the books and the lectures series on YouTube.
 
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Yale has two introductory physics courses online. The second one ends with an intro to quantum physics.

There's also MIT 8.04SC. There's two versions with different styles but highly complementary from what I've read.
 
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