How can I effectively prepare for a career in physics as a high school student?

[Poseidon Cow]

I'm 16. I'm a sophomore in high school. I really don't want to wait. I want to become involved in physics now. Any suggestions on how I can get my feet wet?

 

[mathwonk]

read some papers by einstein or feynman.

 

[Pengwuino]

Start at the basics (these can't be skipped as much as some people want to believe). What level of mathematics do you understand? What physics courses do you have down? Oddly enough, the former is far more important than the latter at your stage.

 

[micromass]

Indeed, learn some mathematics first. Teach yourself some trigonometry/analytic geometry/calculus. If you're already learning these in class, then maybe consider teaching yourself some complements: for example, you could learn sphere trigonometry, 3D geometry, polar coordinates, projective geometry, linear algebra,...

If you know trigonometry, geometry and calculus, only then can you start doing physics. Of course, you can do physics without knowing these topics. But I found that to be very boring, and I wouldn't recommend that to anybody!

 

[Poseidon Cow]

I'm taking physics 1 next year. I know high school algebra (we're learning about logs right now in class) and I'm going into pre calc next year.

I'm reading Brian Greene's Fabric of the Cosmos right now to figure out what the current theories are all about and how they've developed.

Where should i start if I attempt to teach myself higher order math?

 

[snipez90]

Improve your problem solving ability at your current mathematical level instead of jumping into calculus.

 

[Pyrrhus]

Get books on math, and work on your math.

Start low. Start with Spivak Book on Calculus.

 

[zahero_2007]

Try Quantum Field theory by weinberg . Its an easy read

 

[Angry Citizen]

Start low. Start with Spivak Book on Calculus.

This is really not 'starting low'. I'd pick up Stewart instead of Spivak. But not yet. Solidify your algebra and trigonometry before you hit up physics. Sorry, but them's the breaks. You're going to have to wait at least another four years or so before you can even think about 'getting your feet wet'.

 

[Kevin_Axion]

Try Quantum Field theory by weinberg . Its an easy read

This is clearly a joke.

Anyways, try MIT's OpenCourseWare:

Mathematics: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/
Physics: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/

It's what I'm using right now because Physics without calculus is boring and non-intuitive i.e. high schools need to stop dumbing things down and need to get into the details.

EDIT: As Angry_Citizen stated, it's very difficult for someone of your age and knowledge to make a difference in any field in physics right now. The people doing research have a tremendous amount of knowledge and understanding of the subject area where as you probably haven't even solved a basic kinematics problem. Take your time, learn as much as you can and you'll get there eventually.

 

[Pengwuino]

I'm taking physics 1 next year. I know high school algebra (we're learning about logs right now in class) and I'm going into pre calc next year.

I'm reading Brian Greene's Fabric of the Cosmos right now to figure out what the current theories are all about and how they've developed.

Where should i start if I attempt to teach myself higher order math?

I just realized your name is hilarious.

Anyhow, go through pre-calc, trig, geometry, and then start your calculus. The biggest problem, even for people at the university level, is that they don't realize how solid of a foundation in algebra you need to be successful in more advanced mathematics. Know your geometry and trigonometry as well. If I had to rank them, I'd say know our algebra above all else, then trig, then geometry. Know how to do them well, do lots and lots of problems, and from there physics will flow naturally (to a point).

Reading those popular physics books is fine... but just remember that none of that stuff is really day-to-day physics. They're very much dumbed down and only introduce you to the vague ideas about various areas in physics. However, if you go into those books thinking you'll get a good idea about what's "cool" and exciting about physics, then you'll do a good job at that. If you want to know HOW to do physics, then you have to stick with textbooks and all that good stuff. And really, physics isn't fun without knowing both the day-to-day stuff and the super cool ideas that the popular science books tell you about.

Indeed, learn some mathematics first. Teach yourself some trigonometry/analytic geometry/calculus. If you're already learning these in class, then maybe consider teaching yourself some complements: for example, you could learn sphere trigonometry, 3D geometry, polar coordinates, projective geometry, linear algebra

Speak English.

Try Quantum Field theory by weinberg . Its an easy read

Stop that.

 

[romsofia]

Speak English.

What do you mean by "speak English"?

 

[micromass]

What do you mean by "speak English"?

He probably considers projective geometry to be useless, which it is...

 

[romsofia]

He probably considers projective geometry to be useless, which it is...

Oh, I thought he was implying they were the same thing

 

[Pengwuino]

He probably considers projective geometry to be useless, which it is...

I don't even know what the heck it is.

And upon googling it, it IS something I know of, which high schoolers don't need to know and will never encounter the term so why are you even mentioning it? Why not tell him to learn group theory or category theory? I should punch you.

 

[Poseidon Cow]

Maybe I should just start working on a unified theory of everything.. harhar

I guess I'm just going to have to be patient and accumulate more experience

 

[lisab]

Maybe I should just start working on a unified theory of everything.. harhar

I guess I'm just going to have to be patient and accumulate more experience

I know it's hard. It's all so interesting, and there is a push in smart young people to rush ahead and learn it all as fast as possible.

But remember, it's not good if your claim to fame is that you're the youngest student in the class, but your work is just mediocre. Take a bit of time, learn the basics *very well* and perhaps someday you'll be not the youngest in the class, but the top-scorer.