Theoretical physics book for a high school student?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for theoretical physics books suitable for a high school student with limited calculus knowledge. Participants explore various texts that could help bridge the gap in mathematical understanding while introducing concepts in theoretical physics, including quantum mechanics (QM) and special relativity (SR).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests Roger Penrose's "The Road To Reality" as a comprehensive resource that includes necessary mathematical foundations, although it is noted to be a large commitment.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need for a strong background in various advanced mathematical topics to properly understand theoretical physics, arguing that high school-level books on these topics are scarce.
  • Some participants recommend starting with classical mechanics and foundational physics before tackling QM or SR, citing the importance of a solid understanding of classical physics.
  • Several titles are proposed, including Mary L. Boas' "Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences," Richard Feynman's "QED - The Strange Theory of Light and Matter," and Feynman's Lectures on Physics, with varying degrees of mathematical rigor.
  • A participant mentions the potential confusion of starting QM or SR without a solid grasp of classical mechanics and suggests checking university course materials for self-study resources.
  • There is a discussion about the appropriateness of certain books, with some participants cautioning against acquiring both "Six Easy Pieces" and Feynman's Lectures, as the former is derived from the latter.
  • Another participant points out that there may not be books specifically designed to transition from classical physics to QM or SR, but suggests that certain classical mechanics texts could provide a good foundation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the best approach to learning theoretical physics, with some advocating for a strong foundation in classical physics first, while others focus on the importance of mathematical understanding. No consensus is reached on a single best resource or approach.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the limitations of their recommendations based on the varying levels of mathematical knowledge and the specific areas of theoretical physics the original poster is interested in. There is also mention of the need for further clarification on the types of theoretical physics being pursued.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for high school students interested in theoretical physics who are seeking guidance on appropriate textbooks and study strategies, as well as those looking to strengthen their mathematical foundations in preparation for advanced topics.

  • #31
lompocus said:
Hrm, I can't edit my comment. A while ago I got this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393957489/?tag=pfamazon01-20

By some very nice thing, I ended up getting a very cheap used copy of a combined 1st/2nd volume, in case anyone is familiar with them.

can anyone give me some idea of what it is compared to whatever undergraduates use today? For my own odd little self-study, following the material is facilitated well enough by the explanations and problems, but I'd like to know what I might end up missing.

That book is the textbook for MIT open course ware classical mechanics lectures. The OCW website let's you download the assignments which include references to the book, and it has solutions for the assigned problems too.
Not sure if anything's changed, but that course was recorded in 1999 as a first year course.
 
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