Suggestions for Summer Physics Reading

In summary, the individual is seeking recommendations for books to read over the summer in preparation for upcoming courses in mathematical physics and modern physics. So far, they have obtained "How to think like a Mathematician" by Houston and "Warped Passages: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe's Hidden Dimensions" by Lisa Randall. They also mention browsing through textbooks for next semester and reading other books such as "The Black Hole War" by Leonard Susskind, "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan, "Men of Mathematics" by E.T Bell, "6 Easy Pieces" and "6 Not So Easy Pieces" by Feynman, and "One, Two, Three...Infinity" by George Gamow.
  • #1
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Hello. I've just gotten through my first year of undergraduate physics (not much physics really) and won't have the time to take any courses over the summer. I think it'd be in my best interest to keep my mind on my studies so I figure I will pick up a few books to go through over the summer. I'm wondering whether any of you can recommend others to me. I will be taking mathematical physics and modern physics next semester.

Books so far:
How to think like a Mathematician by Houston
Warped Passages: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe's Hidden Dimensions by Lisa Randall

Other than theses, I'll be browsing through the textbooks for next semester and reading some discworld.
 
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  • #2
I always recommend "The Black Hole War" by Leonard Susskind. Its not a technical book, but a very great read.
 
  • #3
I got a few from this thread : https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=603598

Others I'd suggest:
Cosmos - Carl Sagan
Men of Mathematics - E.T Bell
6 easy pieces - Feynman
6 not so easy pieces - Feynman
One, two, three...infinity - George Gamow. (I really liked this one)
 

1. What are some recommended books for summer physics reading?

Some popular choices for summer physics reading include "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking, "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene, and "Six Easy Pieces" by Richard Feynman.

2. Are there any specific topics or areas of physics that are best to focus on during summer reading?

It ultimately depends on your personal interests and goals, but some popular areas for summer physics reading include quantum mechanics, astrophysics, and relativity.

3. Are there any books that offer a good balance between being informative and entertaining?

Yes, there are many books that strike a balance between being informative and entertaining. Some examples include "The Physics of Superheroes" by James Kakalios and "The Hidden Reality" by Brian Greene.

4. Are there any online resources or articles that can supplement summer physics reading?

Absolutely! There are many websites, such as PhysicsWorld and APS Physics, that offer articles and resources on various physics topics. Additionally, many scientific journals offer free access to their articles during the summer.

5. Is it necessary to have a strong background in physics before diving into summer physics reading?

Not necessarily. While having some basic knowledge of physics can be helpful, many popular science books are written in a way that can be easily understood by non-experts. However, if you are interested in more technical and advanced topics, a strong background in physics may be beneficial.

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