Second year Physics student reading list questions

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on recommended textbooks for second-year Physics students at Warwick University, specifically for subjects such as Statistical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, and Quantum Mechanics. The user highlights the complexity of Goldstein's "Classical Mechanics" and prefers Landau and Lifshitz's Volume 1 for its accessibility. For Electromagnetism, the user inquires about the suitability of Volume 2 of Landau and Lifshitz, while also mentioning Griffiths as a standard undergraduate text. The conversation emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate texts based on individual comprehension and curriculum requirements.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of classical mechanics concepts, particularly Lagrangian mechanics.
  • Familiarity with undergraduate-level Electromagnetic Theory.
  • Basic knowledge of Quantum Mechanics principles.
  • Awareness of standard Physics textbooks and their levels of complexity.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Landau and Lifshitz Volume 2 for Electromagnetic Theory.
  • Explore Griffiths' "Introduction to Electrodynamics" for undergraduate-level understanding.
  • Review Marion and Thornton's "Classical Dynamics" for Lagrangian mechanics.
  • Investigate recommended reading lists from Warwick University for additional resources.
USEFUL FOR

Second-year Physics students, educators in the field of Physics, and anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of advanced mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics through recommended literature.

jqmhelios
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I'm now moving on to my second year at Warwick and have ended up with 2 internships this summer. I've also been looking at the subject reading lists. I will be taking Statistical mechanics, Electromagnetic theory, Optics, Hamiltonian mechanics, Fluid dynamics, Quantum mechanics, among others which I am better prepared for.

Which are the best and most recommended textbooks for these subjects, especially electromagnetism and quantum mechanics?

For instance I'm preparing for my 1st internship by studying Lagrangian mechanics, but the book in the reading lists is enormously complicated and, I think, very difficult to follow (Goldstein). I have found Landau and Lifshitz volume 1 to be much more accessible. Will volume 2 of that work for electromagnetism (currently my favourite module)?
 
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These are graduate level texts. Marion (and the recent versions with Thornton) is a standard undergraduate text that covers Lagrangians. Griffiths is typical undergrad E&M text. Even better, look at the texts you will be using at your university.
 
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