“Structure and interpretation of classical mechanics” by Sussman bridges this gap beautifully
Is the prerequisite of this book SICP? Thanks.
Ask HN: What is the best way to get into Physics as a coder?
31–36 of 36 posts
Re: Ask HN: What is the best way to get into Physics as a coder?
#32The question is too broad, you need to be more specific.
I learned a lot of Physics watching youtube channels like PBS Space Time. That's much easier than buying a textbook.
Re: Ask HN: What is the best way to get into Physics as a coder?
#33Take/get involved with basic physics courses with eye on developing/automating the lab course work (excel spread sheets, etc) and/or other things[0][1] that others can see/understand/demonstrate that you're interested in doing physics realted things.
[0] : https://docs.vizycam.com/doku.php?id=wiki:motionscope_app [1] : https://docs.vizycam.com/doku.php#applications
Re: Ask HN: What is the best way to get into Physics as a coder?
#34Earlier quoted context omitted.
> No one has written an essay on the Unreasonable Effectiveness of Coding in the Natural Sciences [1], because there isn't much. Exhibit A: http://groups.csail.mit.edu/mac/users/gjs/6946/sicm-html/
Many of the advancements in computing technology and coding occurred precisely because of Physics. The Manhattan project had human computers to compute the results of theoretical equations. Later early digital computers were used for a wide variety of physics applications. Part of the development of the internet is credited to CERN. Coding is very useful for parts of Physics. But if you look at the core of the physic…
Scott Aaronson, from shtetl-optimized fame, describes his work as on the boundary of math, physics and computers. P vs. NP problem is a CS problem yet has some apparent consequences in quantum world.
Not quite coding though.
Re: Ask HN: What is the best way to get into Physics as a coder?
#35There is nothing special about coders as far as getting into physics goes.
Knowing math can help you in general for sure. Knowing programming will help you if you get into numerical simulations etc.
Other than that - there is nothing to suggest here.
You choose your goal (“get into physics” is not a goal) and you start digging towards it like everybody else.
Re: Ask HN: What is the best way to get into Physics as a coder?
#36Go an do some work in game design.
- Building a toy physics engine like Box2D or working on a Ray tracer will teach you about mechanics & light respectively.
Also the two volumes of Leonard Suskid's "Theoretical Minimum" are a great place to start for highschool math.
You cannot master all of physics not even professional physicists can master all of physics.
What you need is;
a) The theoretical minimum.
b) A niche in physics you have an interest in. (I recommend you start with the "A Very short introduction" books.
You can get into Astronomy, Cosmology, Electricity for example.
Also it would be great to have a copy 9f Richard Feynman's Lectures of physics.