Where to start with Theoretical Physics?

[assademre]

Firstly, I'm sorry if it is wrong part to start this thread. I'm new here and I can change the category if you let me know.
Secondly, I want to learn something about theoretical physics. I am about to finish my study Mathematics in a semester. However, I consider to study physics either and I have to know that if it is suitable for me or not. So, could you tell me some textbook or some video lessons to make me understand if I am capable to understand it.
Thanks for your interest!

 

[ZapperZ]

Firstly, I'm sorry if it is wrong part to start this thread. I'm new here and I can change the category if you let me know.
Secondly, I want to learn something about theoretical physics. I am about to finish my study Mathematics in a semester. However, I consider to study physics either and I have to know that if it is suitable for me or not. So, could you tell me some textbook or some video lessons to make me understand if I am capable to understand it.
Thanks for your interest!

First of all, let's start by seeing if you have a clear and unambiguous understanding of what YOU mean by "theoretical physics". Read this:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/i-want-to-do-theoretical-physics.765732/

.. and then explain what you really mean.

Zz.

 

[assademre]

That's exactly what my point is. I cannot specify my wish as "I want to study String Theory" or "I think Astrophysics is the topic which I would want to work on". Because I love to read or watch or research about those topics but study on them will be completely different. If you ask me what I like to read about , I would say I am interested with astrophysics and String Theory.

 

[ZapperZ]

That's exactly what my point is. I cannot specify my wish as "I want to study String Theory" or "I think Astrophysics is the topic which I would want to work on". Because I love to read or watch or research about those topics but study on them will be completely different. If you ask me what I like to read about , I would say I am interested with astrophysics and String Theory.

So then, what is the issue here?

Unless your educational system (you never specify where in the world you are, which is one of my pet peeve for new members on here) requires that you somehow indicate if you will be doing "theoretical physics" or not in your program, then what you want to do is to first and foremost, get an undergraduate degree in physics! As you advance in the program, your academic advisor (assuming you have one), can direct you more into courses that you have a more keen interest in, depending on the flexibility of your curriculum.

Here in the US, there is often no distinction between "theoretical physics" or "experimental physics" program at the undergraduate level. Everyone will almost take the same basic requirements, and only during their final year will they have some flexibility to take courses that fit into their subject area of interest, and very seldom is this divided into "theoretical" versus "experimental".

BTW, just in case people are curious, the American Physical Society (APS) has a list of all the sub-divisions under its wing, and if you look carefully, you will find that there is no such thing as people specializing in "theoretical physics". We can even go one step further. If you look at one of the most prominent and top physics journal, the Physical Review Letters, you will also NOT see a section on "theoretical physics".

One may do theoretical work in a particular topic in physics, but doing "theoretical physics" is vague and ambiguous, and it is often not well-defined within the practice of physics. That is what the article that I wrote and referred to earlier was trying to convey.

Zz.

 

[assademre]

So then, what is the issue here?

Unless your educational system (you never specify where in the world you are, which is one of my pet peeve for new members on here) requires that you somehow indicate if you will be doing "theoretical physics" or not in your program, then what you want to do is to first and foremost, get an undergraduate degree in physics! As you advance in the program, your academic advisor (assuming you have one), can direct you more into courses that you have a more keen interest in, depending on the flexibility of your curriculum.

Here in the US, there is often no distinction between "theoretical physics" or "experimental physics" program at the undergraduate level. Everyone will almost take the same basic requirements, and only during their final year will they have some flexibility to take courses that fit into their subject area of interest, and very seldom is this divided into "theoretical" versus "experimental".

BTW, just in case people are curious, the American Physical Society (APS) has a list of all the sub-divisions under its wing, and if you look carefully, you will find that there is no such thing as people specializing in "theoretical physics". We can even go one step further. If you look at one of the most prominent and top physics journal, the Physical Review Letters, you will also NOT see a section on "theoretical physics".

One may do theoretical work in a particular topic in physics, but doing "theoretical physics" is vague and ambiguous, and it is often not well-defined within the practice of physics. That is what the article that I wrote and referred to earlier was trying to convey.

Zz.

It is exactly answer my question. Thank you so much for your interest, sir.