What are the best physics textbooks?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the best physics textbooks for a new physics student, with a focus on well-written texts that include diagrams and examples. The scope includes various levels of study and potentially different areas of physics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the best textbook is subjective and depends on the specific subject area being studied.
  • Another participant recommends Jackson's book on Electromagnetism and Misner's Gravitation as essential texts for graduate-level physics.
  • Several participants emphasize the need for the original poster (OP) to specify the subject and level of study to receive relevant recommendations.
  • There is a mention of a dedicated forum section for textbooks, indicating a wealth of resources available for various physics topics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that more information is needed from the OP regarding their specific interests and background before meaningful recommendations can be made. However, there is no consensus on which textbooks are the best.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the importance of context, such as the specific field of physics and the educational level of the student, which remain unspecified by the OP.

Ahmed Hassan
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hello everyone !
I am going to be a physics student next September and I want to know what are the best textbooks that are well-written , well-explained with diagrams and examples ?
Thank you !
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A book is better than another book within the same subject, not to mention that which one is the best is relative to the one who judge it.
Which subject do you want?
 
Well, I don't know what topic you're referring to, but I'd always suggest Jackson's book on Electromagnetism. This with Misner's Gravitation (for grad school) are the two "bibles" of physics I rely mostly on.
 
We have a whole forum about textbooks. I've moved this thread there. There are posts about introductory physics textbooks, classical mechanics textbooks, electromagnetism textbooks, quantum mechanics textbooks, etc. Scan through the list of thread titles, or use the forum search feature.
 
Ahmed Hassan said:
Hello everyone !
I am going to be a physics student next September and I want to know what are the best textbooks that are well-written , well-explained with diagrams and examples ?
Thank you !
What grade are you entering into? High School? Batchelor's? Masters? What is your background? How much of math do you know?
 
Until and unless you specify in which field you need a book, and of which level, no one will be able to help you.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: smodak
Since the OP didn't reply on any of the many questions above, and
Wrichik Basu said:
Until and unless you specify in which field you need a book, and of which level, no one will be able to help you.
summarizes the difficulties for us pretty well, I'll close this thread.

@Ahmed Hassan: If you have answers to the questions above, please contact me via PM.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Wrichik Basu

Similar threads

Astrophysics Best textbook on plasma physics
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Applied A question about mathematics textbooks for physicists
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
9K
Classical Best place to buy math/physics books, textbooks online?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Other What to do with my old physical textbooks?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Other A question about strange claims in some textbooks
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
Classical How is Jackson’s Electrodynamics taught during undergraduate?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
1K
Intro Physics What is the best conceptual high school physics book?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Other Meteorology/Atmospheric Physics Textbook for Physics Undergrad Seniors
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Classical The best introductory mechanics textbook
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
9K
Engineering Aerodynamics textbook at the graduate physics level
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K