Looking for beginner to advanced physics textbooks

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on recommendations for beginner to advanced physics textbooks suitable for a Year 9 student in Australia. Key suggestions include "The Feynman Lectures on Physics," "Goldstein's Classical Mechanics" (2nd edition), and introductory texts such as "Halliday Resnick," "Young Freedman," and "Serway." For those interested in relativity, recommended readings include "Bondi's Relativity and Common Sense," "Geroch's General Relativity from A to B," and "Taylor and Wheeler's Spacetime Physics." The importance of understanding calculus is emphasized as foundational for tackling advanced physics concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of physics concepts
  • Familiarity with calculus principles
  • Access to introductory physics textbooks
  • Knowledge of different physics topics, such as relativity
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "Goldstein's Classical Mechanics 2nd edition" for classical mechanics insights
  • Explore "Halliday Resnick" for comprehensive introductory physics
  • Study "Bondi's Relativity and Common Sense" for a foundational understanding of relativity
  • Investigate "Taylor and Wheeler's Spacetime Physics" for advanced relativity concepts
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for high school students, educators, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of physics beyond standard curricula.

ujint
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hi there, I’m looking for beginner to advanced physics textbook. The books doesn’t have to be by only one author or series of volumes. I’m in year 9 at the moment (australia) and really want to learn further than what the curriculum provides. I’ve got the feynman’s lectures on physics, so any other authors and textbook suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Also, suggested books don’t have to fit into the australian curriculum.
If anything is not clear enough please leave a comment and I’ll clarify. Thank you :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think any introductory experimental-physics book would be good. I'm not familiar with the Australian system of education, but you should avoid any books titled something with "non-calculus". Not using the necessary mathematics to talk about physics is unnecessarily complicated. So a book like

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1319365817/?tag=pfamazon01-20

The Feynman lectures are at a higher level and among the best general physics books ever written.
 
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: rudransh verma, ujint, hutchphd and 2 others
For the books that have large numbers of editions, it is perfectly acceptable to get an older edition which can be significantly cheaper.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ujint, hutchphd, vanhees71 and 1 other person
Yep, and sometimes older editions are even better. E.g., Goldstein, Classical Mechanics 2nd edition is great, while the 3rd edition contains quite serious mistakes (concerning the treatment of anholonomic constraints).
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ujint and hutchphd
Some other introductory physics books include
Halliday Resnick
Young Freedman
Serway

If you want to try some relativity, look at
Bondi, Relativity and Common Sense
Geroch, General Relativity from A to B
or at a higher level
Taylor and Wheeler, Spacetime Physics
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ujint and vanhees71
I am a fan of Paul Tipler who has college freshman and sophomore level books. Of course the most challenging stuff for me was the Calculus so that is very important to digest early.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ujint and vanhees71

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
9K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K