Self studying Taylor's Classical Mechanics

[euok124]

Im 1st year engineering student (ECE) but im interested in self studying physics. I want to self study taylor classical mechanics this summer preferably including analytic mechanics chapters but i want to know if my math is enough for it. By the end of this year i will have:
Partial derivatives. Taylor series. L'hopital.
eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
Techniques of integration. Definite integration. 1st order ODE.
Also some analytic geometry ( conic sections. Lines and planes. Quadratic surfaces)

 

[QuarkyMeson]

Why? You're trying to become an EE. Mechanics beyond what you'll study in engineering physics series is pointless to you. You're much much better off using whatever free time you'd be spending doing this and either doing one of your hobbies or looking for relevant internships or investing more time in your courses.

 

[euok124]

Why? You're trying to become an EE. Mechanics beyond what you'll study in engineering physics series is pointless to you. You're much much better off using whatever free time you'd be spending doing this and either doing one of your hobbies or looking for relevant internships or investing more time in your courses.

What kind of response is this. There might be tons of reasons why i want to study it. For example i can just say i really like physics and thats enough reason in itself at least unlike say other hobbies this would do some benfit of sharpening my skills overall in math and problem solving making the degree easier. And secondly im more leaning into an academic track after i graduate rather than industry so i want to keep myself knowledgeable in physics to have chances in applied physics grad study not just Electronics

 

[QuarkyMeson]

It's the kind of question asking you why? I didn't ask you why there might be tons of reasons, I asked why you want to. Why Taylor?

You're getting the wrong degree if you want an easy path to an applied physics phd program, especially one that's concerned with mechanics.

 

[euok124]

It's the kind of question asking you why? I didn't ask you why there might be tons of reasons, I asked why you want to. Why Taylor?

You're getting the wrong degree if you want an easy path to an applied physics phd program, especially one that's concerned with mechanics.

I dont see any relation to how my question led to your response. My question in nutshell is simply asking if my math enough for a topic i want to study or do i have gaps. And your response is that i should throw the idea away and use my time in something else. The question is academic the answer is a life advice.
And i know that a more obvious path is physics degree but i wouldnt say im on the wrong track either .ive seen alot of students in ECE in my uni do masters in applied and in some less common cases theoratical condensed matter physics.
And my university's applied physics program openly accepts some tracks of engineering

 

[QuarkyMeson]

I mean you still haven't been able to answer a simple question. Why?

What part of self studying Taylor gets you any closer to your goals? I can let you know that it just doesn't.

 

[euok124]

I mean you still haven't been able to answer a simple question. Why?

What part of self studying Taylor gets you any closer to your goals? I can let you know that it just doesn't.

I just said it above. I want to be at least somewhat knowledgable in physics to have a better chance at applied physics graduate programs thats one . And two it would be a fun hobby and useful one

 

[QuarkyMeson]

Self studying taylor does nothing for that.

Phd applications are about one thing, your GPA, your undergraduate research, and your letters of rec. Self studying taylor checks zero of those boxes.

You want to do it anyway? Knock yourself out. It's a very simple book.

 

[euok124]

Self studying taylor does nothing for that.

Phd applications are about one thing, your GPA, your undergraduate research, and your letters of rec. Self studying taylor checks zero of those boxes.

You want to do it anyway? Knock yourself out. It's a very simple book.

Yeah it doesnt help in the application itself but it would be semi impossible to perform well in graduate program just with electronics engineering degree knowledge. So abit of self study would help in covering some of the knowledge gaps

 

[QuarkyMeson]

That's not how it would work.

 

[PeroK]

I just said it above. I want to be at least somewhat knowledgable in physics to have a better chance at applied physics graduate programs thats one . And two it would be a fun hobby and useful one

I agree. Knowledge of this type always has some value. That said, Taylor is a comprehensive and somewhat advanced book. It's a big book to buy just for a few chapters. Instead, you could look for a free pdf from a legitimate source (probably a university professor) on Analytic Mechanics. And, then, if it's too advanced, you can look for something else.