Quantum physics-related literature

[JamesCC]

I'm sorry if this has been asked ad infinitum.

I'm interested in quantum physics but have little academic experience in science or classical physics. I'm curious as to what some of you would suggest as optimal, or even essential, requisites as far as quantum physics-related literature goes. How much of a background in classical physics should I aspire towards?

All suggestions/help appreciated.

 

[DevilsAvocado]

Welcome to PF JamesCC!

The key to understanding physics is advanced http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_topics_in_mathematics".

I’m a layman myself, and have the same "problems"...

But, why buy expensive literature when you can have your own personal professor, teaching you everything for free!?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Susskind", professor of Theoretical Physics at Stanford University, have a several free lectures on YouTube. The lectures are assembled in courses of 8 to 12 lectures of 1½ to 2 hours. Below are the links to the playlists of the full courses on YouTube (plays next lecture automatically). This will give you a total of 57 lectures, summing up to approx 100 hours of skilled education:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyX8kQ-JzHI&p=189C0DCE90CB6D81&playnext=2"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAurgxtOdxY&p=CCD6C043FEC59772&playnext=2"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbmf0bB38h0&p=6C8BDEEBA6BDC78D&playnext=2"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Eeuqh9QfNI&p=A27CEA1B8B27EB67&playnext=2"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZEYa7SRRsU&p=5F9D6DB4231291BE&playnext=2"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzhlfbWBuQ8&p=84C10A9CB1D13841&playnext=2"​

As for literature, I’m probably going to buy https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521869633/?tag=pfamazon01-20 by Gennaro Auletta, Mauro Fortunato and Giorgio Parisi (2009):

It starts with a short review of the foundations of classical mechanics, and then gives details on all topics of QM. It have tables of all QM abbreviations and (those hieroglyphic! ) symbols, which I see as a big plus. It may well be used as a reference book, with rapid access to specific topics.

Good luck!


Edit: Here is a http://www.ewidgetsonline.com/dxrea...catalogue/AddToBasket.asp?isbn=9780521869638" on the book (page 1 - 53) + very neat content index. It looks very promising...