Next step after first year physics?

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
2 replies · 2K views
gauss44
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
I've noticed that Harvard Extension and other colleges seem to only offer one year of "physics" courses in their course offering books. After the first year, what is a logical next step for someone wanting to learn more? Favorite physics topic is electricity, all applications of it.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Typically first year courses are broad surveys. The next step is to study the material more in depth. Classical mechanics is typically studied first which is logical since it was developed first. There are plenty of fine undergraduate texts to choose from. The next course is typically E&M, and so on.
 
If the first-year course was exclusively or mainly classical physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, electricity & magnetism), a common next step is an introductory modern physics course using a textbook such as https://www.amazon.com/dp/1938787757/?tag=pfamazon01-20. See the "Also Viewed" items on that page for other similar books.

Since you're interested in electricity, if you're acquainted with multivariable calculus (partial derivatives, divergence, gradient, curl, and multidimensional integrals) you could move on to an intermediate-level E&M book like https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321856562/?tag=pfamazon01-20 (a very widely used book at that level)
 
Last edited by a moderator: