Studying Modern physics after quantum mechanics

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on advice for self-studying physics, particularly after covering foundational topics like calculus, classical mechanics, and quantum mechanics. Recommendations include studying particle physics through resources like Griffiths' "Introduction to Particle Physics" and exploring statistical mechanics, which is noted as a significant gap in the current study plan. General relativity and quantum field theory (QFT) are suggested as next steps, though their complexity is acknowledged, with resources like Scott Hughes' MIT lectures on general relativity recommended for a more accessible introduction. The goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of modern physics, including topics related to the LHC and string theory. Overall, a structured approach focusing on particle physics and statistical mechanics is advised to build a solid foundation for advanced topics.
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Hello everyone.
I am studying physics as a self-study and would like advice on the next topics to study.
So far I have been studying:
-calculus, linear algebra and basic physics
-classical mechanics (from Goldstein's textbook)
-classical electrodynamics and special relativity (from Griffiths textbook and "Spacetime physics")
-mathematical methods (from Boas' textbook)
-quantum mechanics (from Griffiths' textbook and some topics from Sakurai's textbook)

What should I study after that?
General relativity, QFT, another topic? I've browsed through some general relativity and QFT books, but they seem too advanced (differential geometry, spinors, etc). What are the prerequisites needed for these subjects?
My goal is to understand modern physics (what happens at the LHC, string theory, cosmology, etc).
Thank you and sorry for my English.
 
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user_12345 said:
Hello everyone.
I am studying physics as a self-study and would like advice on the next topics to study.
So far I have been studying:
-calculus, linear algebra and basic physics
-classical mechanics (from Goldstein's textbook)
-classical electrodynamics and special relativity (from Griffiths textbook and "Spacetime physics")
-mathematical methods (from Boas' textbook)
-quantum mechanics (from Griffiths' textbook and some topics from Sakurai's textbook)

What should I study after that?
General relativity, QFT, another topic? I've browsed through some general relativity and QFT books, but they seem too advanced (differential geometry, spinors, etc). What are the prerequisites needed for these subjects?
My goal is to understand modern physics (what happens at the LHC, string theory, cosmology, etc).
Thank you and sorry for my English.
That depends on a lot of factors. Why are you self-studying physics? What do you want to do with it? How much time and effort can you give to self-study? Perhaps most important is what are you most interested in?
 
I'm studying physics because I've always liked it but couldn't study it in the past.
I can spend about 3 hours a day studying.
I would like to get to understand the experiments (LHC, etc) and modern theories like string theory, etc.
It would be great if I could have an understanding of physics that would allow me to understand papers related to physics.
A dream would be to be able to make discoveries and come up with theories (but I admit this is too ambitious a goal).
Sorry for my English.
 
It seems to me that you should focus on particle physics first which is basically everything involved in what is called the Standard Model starting with QFT. I recommend getting a book I have called Particle Physics: A Los Alamos Primer. You can read it online if you can't find a hard copy. Note, don't confuse that with a different book simply called The Los Alamos Primer which is completely different.
 

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You are covering a large chunk of physics curriculum. The only indispensable thing that is missing is statistical mechanics.

I would recommend a second course in QM at the level of Cohen-Tannoudji instead of Sakurai. Though, seeing your interests, you can try introduction to elementary particles by Griffiths, 2nd editon.

String theory is a world on itself, Many expert on QFT know nothing about it. Not to mention the big possibility that it has nothing to do with reality.
 
user_12345 said:
Hello everyone.
I am studying physics as a self-study and would like advice on the next topics to study.
So far I have been studying:
-calculus, linear algebra and basic physics
-classical mechanics (from Goldstein's textbook)
-classical electrodynamics and special relativity (from Griffiths textbook and "Spacetime physics")
-mathematical methods (from Boas' textbook)
-quantum mechanics (from Griffiths' textbook and some topics from Sakurai's textbook)

What should I study after that?
General relativity, QFT, another topic? I've browsed through some general relativity and QFT books, but they seem too advanced (differential geometry, spinors, etc). What are the prerequisites needed for these subjects?
My goal is to understand modern physics (what happens at the LHC, string theory, cosmology, etc).
Thank you and sorry for my English.
What about Griffiths (him again) Introduction to Particle Physics. I think it's a good prerequisite for QFT.

Or Scott Hughes from MIT lectures on GR on YouTube. Very good intro to GR, starting with SR from the geometric perspective.
 
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