Good resources for a beginner getting into Quantum Physics?

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SUMMARY

This discussion provides essential resources for beginners entering the field of Quantum Physics. Key recommendations include Griffiths' "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" as a standard undergraduate text, and the Feynman Lectures, particularly Volume 3, which focuses on Quantum Mechanics. Additional resources include Professor Dave's YouTube playlist on modern physics and Quantum Mechanics, Susskind's "The Theoretical Minimum," and online courses from Yale and MIT, specifically MIT 8.04SC. A foundational understanding of classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and mathematics is necessary before tackling Quantum Mechanics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Classical Mechanics
  • Electromagnetism (E&M)
  • Mathematics, including single-variable calculus
  • Basic understanding of Modern Physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Griffiths' "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics"
  • Read Volume 3 of the Feynman Lectures on Quantum Mechanics
  • Watch Professor Dave's YouTube playlist on Quantum Mechanics
  • Explore Susskind's "The Theoretical Minimum" and its lecture series
USEFUL FOR

Beginners in physics, high school students advancing to college-level physics, and anyone interested in understanding Quantum Physics through structured resources.

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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