Is it possible to learn physics by myself?

[superduck]

I'm a Japanese student in correspondence course in a university.
I'm a philosophy of science major. I want to leran physics , but ,in my faculty, there are few science course and I can't learn physics enough. So, I want to learn physics by myself. Then I have a first question, is it possible to learn physics by myself? I want to study physics from basic level to advanced level and finally be able to deal with theoretical physics especially dealing with space, time, universe system. I really want to do so. But, there is any help in Japan.So, second question, which books are recommended well to learning physics from early level?
To study physics is my strong desire and passion. please, help me.

 

[TMFKAN64]

It depends on what you mean by "deal with theoretical physics".

If you mean can you study on your own enough to read research papers and generally understand what is going on in the field, I believe the answer is "yes".

If you mean can you study on your own enough to do publishable research and work in the field, I believe the answer is "no".

As for what books, I'd suggest Serway or Halliday and Resnick and then work through Griffiths' books on quantum mechanics and electrodynamics as a start. DO THE PROBLEMS!

 

[deekin]

Like TMFKAN64 said, I think it depends on what the end goal is. But I think if you work hard and ask questions here on PF, you can learn a lot of physics.

You can't go wrong with the Halliday and Resnick books for introductory physics.

 

[superduck]

thank you for advising me. then, there are next questions

Thank you for advising me. Then, I have another questions. In my situation, I have a mental illness and autistic-spectrum. So I can't move from correspondence course. But, I want to study physics and then I think I'll deal with it in my graduation thesis. "Physics " I mentioned in a former sentence means early level physics ,not advanced level. I know it difficult to study top level physics in undergraduate. I see it difficult to study enough to do publish research and work in the field. But, my desire is just that. I think that I'll study physics as possible in my present situation, then after graduate my university I want to enroll physics faculty and study it there.
A professor said to me " it's just like a dream which is imposible", and "this process is useless".
Do you think is it true? I can't move from this situation, so for me, there is no way which is different from this process. Do you think philosophy of science have nothing to do with physics?
Do you think my dream is impossible? I have strong desire and I am ready to study hard even I have illness and disorder. How do you think about my idea?

 

[Enigman]

Thank you for advising me. Then, I have another questions. In my situation, I have a mental illness and autistic-spectrum. So I can't move from correspondence course. But, I want to study physics and then I think I'll deal with it in my graduation thesis. "Physics " I mentioned in a former sentence means early level physics ,not advanced level. I know it difficult to study top level physics in undergraduate. I see it difficult to study enough to do publish research and work in the field. But, my desire is just that. I think that I'll study physics as possible in my present situation, then after graduate my university I want to enroll physics faculty and study it there.
A professor said to me " it's just like a dream which is imposible", and "this process is useless".
Do you think is it true? I can't move from this situation, so for me, there is no way which is different from this process. Do you think philosophy of science have nothing to do with physics?
Do you think my dream is impossible? I have strong desire and I am ready to study hard even I have illness and disorder. How do you think about my idea?

No dream is impossible...some just take more work than others. This one though is almost too hard...but possible. The only advice I can give is don't have a goal like publishing papers, you can go do that when the time comes, for now however just have fun.Physics is fun; a lot of fun. As far as the books are concerned I used Halliday Resnick Walker---it is a good book and I would prefer the extended edition as it has a few chapters on basics of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.
Serway Jewett is a good book too though. And of course I would also recommend the Feynman lectures after you've gone through Halliday. But I don't know about Griffith-it certainly is a great book but I would prefer Shankar for a more wholesome approach...[But what do I know? I bought them just last week...] the main thing that worries me about your case is the language barrier--all I can say is that use PF as much as possible. I know Micromass suggested a few books for math and you should probably start with them to get the hang of calculus used in Halliday.
I wish you strength,
Mr.E
Edit: there is a website called khan academy which you may feel useful

 

[ZapperZ]

Thank you for advising me. Then, I have another questions. In my situation, I have a mental illness and autistic-spectrum. So I can't move from correspondence course. But, I want to study physics and then I think I'll deal with it in my graduation thesis. "Physics " I mentioned in a former sentence means early level physics ,not advanced level. I know it difficult to study top level physics in undergraduate. I see it difficult to study enough to do publish research and work in the field. But, my desire is just that. I think that I'll study physics as possible in my present situation, then after graduate my university I want to enroll physics faculty and study it there.
A professor said to me " it's just like a dream which is imposible", and "this process is useless".
Do you think is it true? I can't move from this situation, so for me, there is no way which is different from this process. Do you think philosophy of science have nothing to do with physics?
Do you think my dream is impossible? I have strong desire and I am ready to study hard even I have illness and disorder. How do you think about my idea?

Based on what I've read so far and my understanding of your situation and your eventual goal, I will give you my honest opinion: it is NOT possible.

Zz.

 

[superduck]

however it is hard or impossible, my desire Don't change

Based on what I've read so far and my understanding of your situation and your eventual goal, I will give you my honest opinion: it is NOT possible.

Zz.

Thank you for advising me. However it is hard or impossible , I will try it. Who can know it's really impossible? It is true that my academic skill is poor. But, I'll train hard. No one can know the future even theirselves. I've had a mental illness since I was a high school student. I couldn't study enough. Now I'm also fighting against this illness. But I'll never give up. I think to try something for my goal is better than don't do anything. If I don't do anything, yes it is impossible ,but do something some hope will appear even it will tiny. I hope you would advise me how to study physics and mathematics. Thank you.

 

[superduck]

No dream is impossible...some just take more work than others. This one though is almost too hard...but possible. The only advice I can give is don't have a goal like publishing papers, you can go do that when the time comes, for now however just have fun.Physics is fun; a lot of fun. As far as the books are concerned I used Halliday Resnick Walker---it is a good book and I would prefer the extended edition as it has a few chapters on basics of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.
Serway Jewett is a good book too though. And of course I would also recommend the Feynman lectures after you've gone through Halliday. But I don't know about Griffith-it certainly is a great book but I would prefer Shankar for a more wholesome approach...[But what do I know? I bought them just last week...] the main thing that worries me about your case is the language barrier--all I can say is that use PF as much as possible. I know Micromass suggested a few books for math and you should probably start with them to get the hang of calculus used in Halliday.
I wish you strength,
Mr.E
Edit: there is a website called khan academy which you may feel useful

Thank you for advising me. I know it really hard to achieve my goal. But, I'll try to study. To tell the truth I have no job, one reason is now I'm a student another is I have a mental illness and autistic-spectrum. My autistic-spectrum is proved recent year, but to know my real feature, my life has changed. I could find why I can't do things like other people and I relieaved. I have some test to examine my autistic-spectrum, then it was proved , but also something was founded. My brain has some feature. Some part has really poor function,other has exceed ordinary standard. So, my brain is really mysterious. I can't controll this. But, I can feel there is something in my brain. I know it will be long way to learn physics, but something will happen I feel. I don't have any idea about any job. In my brain there is only about studying, there is no idea like job,money,events around me except about science. And I have some switch that move me extraordinary. When this switch get to be on , I work really hard and I can't control that. I don't sleep some day well. On the other hand, I can't understand feelings of other person. I have lack of some communication skills though I can write. When you read my message, would you feel something happen to me really? I hope this " something" will be a good thing.Thank you.

 

[superduck]

I started to learn physics

I'm really want to be a theoretical physicist. But, I am a student of correspondence course of Keio university in Japan and I am a philosophy of sciense major now. I have autistic-spectrum and it caused me a mental illness. So, I can't move other university so far or for a long time.
But, I'm curious about physics, universe, time,and space. I really want to study them. I am decided to study by myself as much　as I can. And I want to study at U.K. in the future. So, I need advise for texbook of Britsh exam like A level. But, I think it is better to start GCES level. Do you know how to prepare for these exam? And is it possible to be a theoretical physicist bymyself? Then how to study each subject? Would you give me some advice?

 

[mal4mac]

As you like correspondence courses & the UK, why not take courses with the British "Open University"?

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/countries/Japan.shtm

You might be able to count the courses you have already done at Keio as part of a BSc degree, which you can complete with the Open University. You can start at a level "somewhere between" GCSE and A level, and build up to courses that will be a foundation for doing a PhD in theoretical physics.

 

[superduck]

thank you for advice

Thank you for advice. I saw The open university web site. But, I couldn't understand it system. Does this university give me degree after getting all credits? To study from GCES level what kind of book shoul I use? Please give me some advice.

 

[mal4mac]

Yes, the Open University leads to a degree. The earliest starting course for you would be S104 Exploring Science. You can see if you are ready for this by taking this test:

http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/y033.htm

If you can do this test you don't need to do a GCSE.

This might also be of interest:

http://www.open.ac.uk/study/credit-...study/overseas-qualifications/countries/japan

If you want to be a theoretical physicist you need to be doing physics courses, together with the advanced mathematics associated with those courses. No serious physicist would accept you to do a graduation thesis in theoretical physics without passing such courses.

So if you are *really* serious about being a theoretical physicist, you will start doing physics courses, and drop the philosophy. If there are not enough physics courses at your current university then you need to find another university.

 

[superduck]

Thank you for nice advice

Thank you for helpful advice. I looked at the open university web site. I am poor at seeing website because my autistic-spectrum feature can't deals with a lot of informatuon. So when I see website I am always confused and sometimes my brain crashes. So, I need simple infprmation. After searching this web site, I found it might not be able to take physics course from Japan. I send a e-mail to this university for some question so far. But, if really I can't learn physics at this universuty ,I am so disappointed.Then how should I do? People who doesn't have enough money and have disorder mental ilness like me can't learn physics? It is unfair! I have strong passion to be atheoretical physicist. No one can be over my passion. I am serious. But, no one advice simply and kindly.( you answered kindly) How should I do? Is it possible to learn by myself? But no one gude me maybe in such situation. Please help me. Please undestand how I want to study physics an want to know the way to learn. I really need help. Yes, if I really want to be a physicist, I have to drop out philosophy,I understand that. But, I can't move now. Because of my family's no understanding me. And my condition. But, I shall drop out present university, the time comes. How should I do then? Is there any good idea? Please help me.

 

[[Quadratic]]

It takes a very, very, very special person to self study a subject like physics and have what could be considered a successful career. Whether you are one of these rare people I do not know, but the odds are against it. Study it because you enjoy it and see if it bears fruit.

 

[IGU]

Look at saylor.org. They cannot yet confer a degree, but it's a good structured program for learning. They do not yet have a physics program, but you can start with their math program and an individual physics course or two. This will give you a good idea as to whether you are prepared and whether you still like the field as it gets to be more work. Some useful links:
http://www.saylor.org/frequently-asked-questions
Introduction to Mechanics
Open Source Physics textbook (sizable download!)
http://www.saylor.org/majors/mathematics

If I were you I wouldn't worry too much about getting a degree at this point. Aim for "I'm doing physics at a university level so now how do I get credit for it?" That's a big enough challenge and it will be a fine problem to have and solve at a later time.

 

[superduck]

Thank you very much for advice and kind words

Thank you for advice and kind word. I looked at each links. There are really attractive. Especially, online book is amazing. Thank you very much. About the open university, it will cost me so much money. I can't pay that. The last way , I think is ,to study by myself. And I am considering study abroad like U.K. Because Japanese university cost me too much money and has few scholarship. And they don't support autistic-spectrum. If I spend money, it is better to study abroad. But, this is the future thing. I must prepare for that. I need to study physics and mathematics in English at first. My aim is to study for from GCES to A or AS level. But, I don't know good books for that. Would you have recommended books? Please tell me. But about my present university, how should I do? Shold I give up? My family absolutely deny it. But, I really want to be a theoretical physicist. I' ll try by myself so far. And research how to study it well. Please tell me recommended books. I'll be grateful if you advise me. please.

 

[Chronos]

You learned Japanese by yourself, why not physics? Fear is the motivation in classrooms. Fear of competing poorly, fear of a bad grade, etc. With a good textbook, motivation. and discipline, you can succeed without the fear whip. Once you can solve all the review problems in the book without 'cheating', it safe to say you have mastered the material. The problem is competing interests. If you try to do this while taking formal classes, or having a life, expect it to take longer; not that it is unachievable. Here is a book recommended by Chris Hillman that I second - Ray A. d'Inverno, Introducing Einstein's Relativity

 

[superduck]

Thank you for recommending book

Thank you for advice. But, I want to know more basic books like which is use as textbook or reference books at school in U.K. Would you advise me more about books? I need to study physics and mathematics from very early step. Please help me.

 

[Chronos]

Allow me to recommend another book - Paul A. Dirac, General Theory of Relativity. It requires a bit of advanced math to comprehend.

 

[IGU]

Thank you for advice. But, I want to know more basic books like which is use as textbook or reference books at school in U.K. Would you advise me more about books? I need to study physics and mathematics from very early step. Please help me.

I suggest you look around at The Student Room. Giving advice about such things is what that website is all about.

 

[mal4mac]

After searching this web site, I found I might not be able to take physics course from Japan.

Look again at the list of courses that you can take in Japan:

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/countries/Japan.shtm

There are many physics courses there. Given that you are doing a correspondence course, and doing something as advanced as philosophy of science, you might be able to skip the early courses, and start with a fast track like:

Mathematical methods (MST224)
The physical world (S207) (... about the level of Halliday & Resnick textbook mentioned in this thread)
The quantum world (SM358) (... about the level of Griffiths textbook mentioned in this thread)

Do these courses, passing with high marks, and you will have some idea if you are cut out for theoretical physics, and with course transfer you might be close to getting the BSc necessary to do an MSc, then PhD, in theoretical physics in the UK.

OK it's expensive, but how much is a dream worth? Work in a shop, save money, do course, more work in a shop, do another course... Or look for scholarships.

 

[mal4mac]

... And I am considering study abroad like U.K. Because Japanese university cost me too much money and has few scholarship. And they don't support autistic-spectrum. If I spend money, it is better to study abroad. But, this is the future thing. I must prepare for that. I need to study physics and mathematics in English at first. My aim is to study for from GCES to A or AS level. But, I don't know good books for that. Would you have recommended books? Please tell me. But about my present university, how should I do? Shold I give up? My family absolutely deny it. But, I really want to be a theoretical physicist. I' ll try by myself so far. And research how to study it well. Please tell me recommended books. I'll be grateful if you advise me. please.

Check the websites of some British Universities, you may already be qualified enough. For example:

http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/international-students/find-your-country/japan/

Lancaster has a superb physics course, so definitely look at this!

Did you "complete high school"? That seems to be all you need. If not, can you go back and complete high school? Having done some university level education, in any subject, should also count in your favour - just get good marks in your next exams - don't just give up!

I just glanced at Walter Lewin's MIT online course for physics beginners. It looks really good, and all course materials are provided, covering the same ground as Halliday & Resnick, with nice videos and a study plan:

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/

 

[Dishsoap]

You've gotten a lot of recommendations here, but I would just like to cast another vote for David Griffiths' Quantum book, as well as his E&M one.

 

[lisab]

Thank you for advice. But, I want to know more basic books like which is use as textbook or reference books at school in U.K. Would you advise me more about books? I need to study physics and mathematics from very early step. Please help me.

Everyone giving advice here: please consider the OP's starting point. He/she is asking for very basic books which don't require advanced math to understand (think high school level).

 

[superduck]

Thank you for advice

Thank you for advice. I am considering to study from GCES level. Would you recommend for this level texetbooks of physics and mathematics? I am so grateful for many advice. I searched some university at U.K. It also cost me so high.

 

[jesse73]

Everyone giving advice here: please consider the OP's starting point. He/she is asking for very basic books which don't require advanced math to understand (think high school level).

Something along these lines should be a forum sticky.

 

[Chronos]

Here are some other basic physics books on the cheap - like free e books: http://www.freebookcentre.net/Physics/Introductory-Physics-Books.html

 

[superduck]

Thank you for advice

Thank for advice very much. I am really grateful for that. I am disappointed recently, but I decided that I will never give up. So, I need more information about basic books of physics and mathematics for GCES level. I will start this level. I am sonsidering to study at U.K And I can't use website well, so would you recommend me some books which is written on paper. Please help me, again.

 

[ferri]

Hi guys, I'm currently going to university, well to be more accurate, I'm going to an electrical engineering course (not in US, I'm from Europe). So my question is how do physicist come to research topics ideas. I can say that I have verry good mathematical knowledge, and also good physics knowledge so I'm interessed in doing some research by my own (if It's even possible). Any ideas how to get ideas :D

 

[superduck]

Hi, ferri

Hi, ferri. I'm intersted in your knowledge of mathematics and physics. So, if you could, would you recommend some books for learning mathematics and physics? I want to konw about GCSE level books. Please tell me, could you? About your question, I also want to konw about that because I am not a physics major yet. But I am really interested in universe, time space, and material relatively. I guess the most important thing is what you are interested in curiously.
By the way , do you know how to enter university in U.K. as ainternational student? If you kow that, would you tell me?

 

[IGU]

Superduck, you really aren't going to get the answers you are looking for here, no matter how many times you repeat your questions. Did you do as I suggested and go look at The Student Room? Their forums are designed to answer questions about GCSE level things. It's the very first topic listed at the top of their home page. To find out what's being used for GCSE level classes, you want to ask people taking those classes.

After getting suggestions there, you might want to ask here if the books they recommend are any good, or if there are better books at a similar level.

Alternatively you can Google "GCSE physics books" which will lead you to a bunch of stuff, including http://www.amazon.com/Physics-GCSE-Education-Languages-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=882466&tag= with lots of reviews. If you are going to study on your own you'll need to be able to do this sort of basic level of web research to find study materials.

 

[Chronos]

Here is one more on the math side: Foundation Mathematics by K Stroud. It's even reasonably priced.

 

[superduck]

Thank you for advice

Dear IGU,
Thank you for your sensible advice. You are right. I looked at The Student Room. But I could'nt deal with that information. there are too much on the web page so that my brain crashed. I'll try to look at the website again. Thank you very much!

Dear Chronos,
THank you for many recommended books. It is also hepful for me.

Then, I'll be going to The student room and watch it carefully. I hope that my brain would not crash again.

 

[mal4mac]

The link I posted did not work. Here's a fix:

Did you "complete high school" in Japan? . If so, you may already be qualified enough:

http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/international-students/find-your-country/japan/

If you did not "complete high school", then complete high school!

You need to "complete high school" to study in the UK.

Just reading GCSE textbooks will not get you into a UK university.

Lancaster allows you to study Open University courses instead of A levels:

http://www.physics.lancs.ac.uk/study_here/undergraduate/openplus

 

[ferri]

superduck, maybe you can look these things

http://ocw.mit.edu/resources/res-18-001-calculus-online-textbook-spring-2005/textbook/MITRES_18_001_strang_1.pdf

https://www.coursera.org/course/maththink this maybe looks kinda foolish, but this can be really helpful

http://www.whitman.edu/mathematics/calculus/

https://www.coursera.org/course/sequence

 

[superduck]

Thank you for advice and I'm sorry to IGU

Thank you for advice, mal4mac. I know lancaster university. Anyway, I searched fees each university, then it is impposible to study in U.K. The cost is so high. I decided to continue present university( unfortunately I am a major of philosophy of science because there is no university which has correspondence course of any science course in Japan). So, I will study physics mathematics and other science subjects by myself to be a theoretical physicist.

By the way, IGU, I am very sorry. I tried many times to use The Student Room, but it didn't work well. Any message can not be put on this site, so I can't ask any questions, search any things. I am disapppointed. But I'll tried amzon site at U.K. It was nice website. I can find GCSE books. And looked at content and a few pages of a book. When I find attractive book, I'll ask you your opinion. Would you answer me? Then first question I have. Basicmathematics by Lang and a GCSE level mathematics book: which is better to buy. I think first one is better, how do you think?

 

[lisab]

This might be a useful resource:

http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~hooft101/theorist.html

Gerard 't Hooft is a theoretical physicist who has won a Nobel Prize, btw.

 

[IGU]

By the way, IGU, I am very sorry. I tried many times to use The Student Room, but it didn't work well. Any message can not be put on this site, so I can't ask any questions, search any things. I am disapppointed.

Like this site, you can't post to the forums there without signing up. But you can search and read them. I will point out that like most student sites, people tend to focus on how to pass exams rather than how to understand the subject -- I find this attitude not particularly helpful for those who wish to go far.

But I'll tried amzon site at U.K. It was nice website. I can find GCSE books. And looked at content and a few pages of a book. When I find attractive book, I'll ask you your opinion. Would you answer me?

Probably not, since I don't know much about it. But I can suggest that if you want good answers from people you will try to describe exactly as you can the level you are at, what approach to learning you have found works for you, and what your goals are. Some of this you've done, but not very clearly or completely. Getting good advice on study materials and techniques is hard because people are so different. And it sounds like you are quite unusual in several ways, so it's even more important.

Then first question I have. Basicmathematics by Lang and a GCSE level mathematics book: which is better to buy. I think first one is better, how do you think?

You'll need to make it clear whether you are interested in learning GCSE type math, so you can pass GCSE type tests and be on a track that people who expect GCSE students are used to; or if you are interested in learning math; or if you are interested in learning math so you can do physics. These are very different goals and lead to different suggestions. I have looked at neither book. If I were trying to figure out which is better I'd start by looking at all the reviews on the Amazon site and trying to understand what people think of them and especially what people think who are most like me and want the same things that I do.

Sorry I can't be of more direct help. Instead I'm trying to help you ask the right questions of the right people so you can get what you want. I hope that's not entirely useless to you.

 

[superduck]

Thank you for advice

Dear lisab, Thank you for usedful link. I'll carefully look at the web site.

Dear IGU, thank you for your advice. Your opinion is very sensible. It is helpful for me. I'm grateful for that. When I choose book, I will compare similar kind books before decide to buy. If I live in Europe or America or big city like Tokyo in Japan, I could look at textb ooks directly, but I live in countryside in Japan so only way to find books is to use internet.

 

[superduck]

about my aim to goal

I think I was worng these days. I was too focus on about studying at U.K. But I'll chooze another way because the payment is so high so that I can't go to U.K. and my dearm is to be a theoretical physicist. So, my goal is not passing the GCSE, but my aim is understand mathematics and physics deeply. I will chooze book, considering these my thought. Thank you very much IGU!

 

[3.141592]

Just search for 'AQA', or 'Edexcel' or 'OCR' GCSE Physics Revision Guides. These are the major exam boards for GCSEs and the bookshops were filled with these revision guides across all subjects when I did physics and maths GCSE, and they still are.

They will give you an idea of what things, at what level, are needed to pass GCSEs here. This is no longer your goal but the level and content of the guides should be about right.

If you want a simple textbook that is more than a revision guide, has fully explained examples, a LOT of exercises, many of which have full solutions, at GCSE level, try 'Countdown to Mathematics' by Lynne Graham and David Sargent. It is written especially for self study students.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0201137313/?tag=pfamazon01-20

This link is for volume 2. You might prefer to start at volume 1. It stops before calculus. It does not cover physics.

Good luck.

 

[superduck]

Thank you for advice

Dear Chronos,
Thank you for advice! Foundation Mathematics by K Stroud is really attractive. I searched about this book. I am usually learning mathematics in Japanese, but I want to study in English as well. This book might be suit my aim.

 

[superduck]

Is it really dangerous to study physics by oneself?

Hello,
Recently, I met a professor whose major is philosophy of science. At the meeting, I got some advice about learning physics from him. He said that it is very dangerous to study physics by myself because no one can point my mistakes or lack of understanding some matters or misunderstanding. The reason is on web communities like this site, I can't tell my question or thought about some problem to others thoroughly. Is that right? If so, is there any way to solve this problem? Do you have some idea?
The professor also said to me that it is better to study with other students to make knowledges or understanding fixed. But, in my situation, I have to study by myself, so I can't do it. Is there good way for that?
I want to hear many opinions from everybody.
Please help me.