How to start learning quantum physics

[coolbeans777]

Hi everybody, I've been wanting to learn quantum physics for quite some time, except I really don't know where to start. I already understand some of the concepts such as wave particle duality, and how all particles move through space as a Y wavefunction, which collapses into a definite particle when it is measured or interacts with something. I don't know calculus, but I do understand what derivatives are and how to find them. I want to learn not just concepts but the equations that explain. Are there any free books online that I can download?

 

[Nabeshin]

I don't know calculus

This could be a problem. Have you studied classical mechanics in any depth? If someone told you to write down the hamiltonian for hydrogen would you know what it looked like? If not, you should probably study classical mechanics first, otherwise everything is just going to be gibberish...

 

[Leveret]

I want to learn not just concepts but the equations that explain. Are there any free books online that I can download?

The equations aren't going to make any sense if you don't understand the math behind them. If you want to learn quantum mechanics, you'd probably be best off learning some more math first. Calculus and linear algebra are some things you'll definitely want to have in your toolkit, and maybe differential equations as well, although it's not paramount. Once you have a strong mathematical foundation, applying that to quantum will be much easier (although still not necessarily easy).

 

[jtbell]

Since you know some calculus, you might consider a standard "introductory modern physics" textbook which is aimed at students who have completed a first-year course in classical mechanics and electromagnetism, and an introductory calculus course. For example,

https://www.amazon.com/dp/013805715X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

There are others by e.g. Beiser, Tipler and Ohanian. These aren't free, of course, but you can find used copies which are cheaper than new ones.

I recently found these online lecture notes which might be useful, although they're not as detailed as a real textbook.

http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/252/