I want to study real physics where to start?

[robphy]

Well, the unknown function x(t) can't be determined algebraically.

my thoughts exactly.

Then, the next method [in some sense] is to determine the unknown function "differentially" [i.e. as a solution to a differential equation].

 

[Daverz]

Spivak's Calculus: Fantastic rigorous study of calculus for those not yet ready for a true course in real analysis. If you don't consider taylor series to be something you were born understanding, this may be the book for you.

My own opinion on all these textbooks is that they are not that fun for self study. They are really meant for a classroom environment where you have an experienced instructor to guide you.

Spivak's Manifold Calculus: Rigorous introduction to what i classified above as differential geometry. This book will need a good solid grasp of real analysis before you try to tackle it so you will have to wait a while for this.

And I'd suggest starting with something like Frankel's Geometry of Physics. That book will expose you to a lot more math, as well, but with much less formality.

Also
Advanced Calculus: A Differential Forms Approach by Harold M. Edwards, and A Geometric Approach to Differential Forms by David Bachman.

 

[Nothing000]

The first thing you are going to want to do is make sure that your math skills are up to par. Do you know anything about calculus and differential equations?

 

[Werg22]

Haha I actually took that the wrong way until I realized it was teasing

 

[anand]

KLEPPNER AND KOLENKOW is the best mechanics book on the planet.

 

[mathwonk]

i suggest you read feynman.

 

[pivoxa15]

From my limited experiences, I think the best way to learn physics (and maths) is to do problems. You could read many many books but nothing beats working out a problem yourself and checking if your solution is right. The latter is very important for beginners such as yourself.

I read the presecribed textbooks for QM and thermal subjects prior to the start of the course but didn't do a problem although did some example problems but it wasn't enough. When the course came around, I didn't feel I had an advantage by reading the books earlier. So books like Shuam's problems is excellent. The best way is to read and do problems with the latter being more important.

Also you mentioned you wanted to do 'real physics'. That is obviously open to intepretations but doing experiments is very close (if not is) 'real physics'. I learned a lot of good theory (and interesting theory that you might not come across when doing theoretical physics such as the statistics behind error analysis) when analysing an experiment I have done. So you should try to do some during the holidays, although I wouldn't know where to start with this advice. Anyone else have an idea?

 

[franznietzsche]

I keep on repeating myself... I already have a solid grasp of calculus, differentials etc. and matrix theory

Rule #1: The better you understand something, the less you think you have a solid grasp of it.

I don't mean to be belittling, but in general people rarely know as much as they think they do. Which texts have you used for those subjects? Which chapters? That will give us a better idea of your background exposure than you just saying you have a solid grasp of [list of topics].

I have plenty of textbooks at home on the subject, so that's not the worry. Anyway, should I look into Kleppner's book on mechanics?

Sure. We use Taylor's book (Classical Mechanics), which is very accessible(almost to a fault, IMO).