Studying How Can I Improve My Understanding of Physics, Especially Quantum Mechanics?

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A discussion highlights the challenges faced by a first-year engineering student passionate about physics, particularly quantum mechanics. The student expresses frustration over the disorganized and incomplete nature of their physics education, which focuses more on exam preparation than true understanding. Suggestions include taking writing classes to improve thought organization and reading textbooks for a deeper grasp of physics concepts. The importance of teaching the material to oneself and possibly tutoring others is emphasized as a way to solidify understanding. Recommendations for resources include the Feynman Lectures and the Theoretical Minimum course, which covers advanced topics and provides a structured learning approach. The conversation underscores the need for foundational knowledge and the value of engaging with both textbooks and supplementary educational materials.
Mohamed Essam
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Since i was 16 years old, i loved physics and i was looking forward to full study it and with a big focus on quantum mechanics, but i have a problem that the physics informations that i studied in school and now in university are not arranged and there are some missing informations that stops me from fully understanding it , and i started figuring that sine i bought a Stephen Hawking's book theory of everything and there are many things i didn't understand it , and in my university ( I'm and engineering student in my first yeare btw) they teach us physics to not to understand it but to know how to solve exam problems to get high marks , so i don't know what to do to rearrange my physics informations and get the missing ones , any help in this big problem?!
 
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That was one giant sentence.

I suggest you take a class in writing. It will teach you to better organize your thoughts, and you will need to have this kind of mental organization to make sense of physics.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
That was one giant sentence.

I suggest you take a class in writing. It will teach you to better organize your thoughts, and you will need to have this kind of mental organization to make sense of physics.
Class in writing! :D
 
Mohamed Essam said:
so i don't know what to do to rearrange my physics informations and get the missing ones , any help in this big problem?!

It's a big problem that may take a lifetime to solve. You can read "popularized" science books written for the general public for entertainment, but you need to read textbooks to actually learn science. Take a textbook and imagine you are assigned to teach it. Ask yourself how you would explain the material. (If you are adventurous, volunteer as a tutor and put yourself into position where you are forced to make explanations !)
 
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Stephen Tashi said:
It's a big problem that may take a lifetime to solve. You can read "popularized" science books written for the general public for entertainment, but you need to read textbooks to actually learn science. Take a textbook and imagine you are assigned to teach it. Ask yourself how you would explain the material. (If you are adventurous, volunteer as a tutor and put yourself into position where you are forced to make explanations !)
Could you suggest me any textbooks that explain physics from the beginning?!
PS : I'm good at math by the way
 
Voltageisntreal said:
http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/I_toc.html

Here you go bud, that's volume I, you can find volume II and III on the same site.
Should i have to read those lectures only; nothing else ?! Any other books to read any videos to watch?!
 
Hi Mohamed,
you can also watch the videos on this side:
http://theoreticalminimum.com/courses
They include modern topics like black holes or the Higgs particle that are not in the Feynman lectures from 1964, but are a bit more difficult and they probably explain everything in much more detail than you need to understand Hawking book.
 
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Joe Cool, thank you for the site link. That site has some great videos.
 

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