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Ask HN: How to self-study physics?

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Re: Ask HN: How to self-study physics?

#31
I have a bunch of letters before my name that have something to do with physics and what you're asking is far to open.

If you want a general grounding have a look at Fundamentals of Physics any addition and work through some of the problems.

You will need calculus, which CS doesn't use at all.

If you want something better: http://www.goodtheorist.science/ It will take you 10 years or so.

Re: Ask HN: How to self-study physics?

#32
post #13

I thought I would also add my two cents, though there have been many excellent responses already. I recently defended my PhD in Physics (MIT '18). First of all - great idea! It is never too late to learn math and physics! In fact, with hard work and commitment, anybody can muster them to a high level. (1) Reading =/= understanding in math and physics. You understand a topic only if you can solve the problems. (2) Wor…

An excellent list. Pretty much hits the nail on the head. The only thing I would is this:

Often times, well known phenomena and concepts are NOT explained well specifically because they are well known. Whether it's a lecturer or a YouTube video, lots of sources tend to skimp out on the fundamentals. Having said that, don't let it discourage you. It took me forever to discover what the Uncertainty Principle actually means and how it manifests itself in real life. This is related to point 5) I guess.

Re: Ask HN: How to self-study physics?

#34
post #13

I thought I would also add my two cents, though there have been many excellent responses already. I recently defended my PhD in Physics (MIT '18). First of all - great idea! It is never too late to learn math and physics! In fact, with hard work and commitment, anybody can muster them to a high level. (1) Reading =/= understanding in math and physics. You understand a topic only if you can solve the problems. (2) Wor…

Isn't an important aspect of learning Physics is being able to conduct experiments in a lab?

Re: Ask HN: How to self-study physics?

#35

Everybody recommending Feynman would do well to remember his attitude towards women. Instead, here's a few hours of Susskind on general relativity [0], string theory [1], and quantum mechanics [2]. [0] https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD9DDFBDC338226CA [1] https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA2FDCCBC7956448F [2] https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA27CEA1B8B27EB67

I wouldn't recommend either because i find it to be impossible to learn physics or other complex ideas from an audio stream. But i don't think feynmann was at his core disrespectful towards women, regardless of his intermittent usage of swear words. Not from the accounts I read anyways. so that kind of criticism is ultimately more of the old social conservative critique against the bachelor lifestyle.

Re: Ask HN: How to self-study physics?

#36
post #13

I thought I would also add my two cents, though there have been many excellent responses already. I recently defended my PhD in Physics (MIT '18). First of all - great idea! It is never too late to learn math and physics! In fact, with hard work and commitment, anybody can muster them to a high level. (1) Reading =/= understanding in math and physics. You understand a topic only if you can solve the problems. (2) Wor…

I think it's essential to have a strong grasp of high school mathematics, not just high marks, but actually understand it. Gaps here are very serious. What do you think?

Re: Ask HN: How to self-study physics?

#38

I second Feynman lectures! It is a delightful introduction to physics. Susskind's theoretical minimum series is also a good starting point: http://theoreticalminimum.com/courses

The Feynman lextures are must if someone wants to develop intuitions in physics. Volume 3 (quantum mechanics) is a bit difficult for new learners or undergraduates, but I absolutely recommend reading vol.1 & 2.

Re: Ask HN: How to self-study physics?

#39
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This sounds interesting! Could you talk a bit more about what sources you used to find problems and learn from that translated well to this approach?

Math for Game Programmers - Jorge Rodriguez. There is a playlist on youtube. Game programming is an underrated/underused tool to teach math, physics and programming.

Game engine implements only a tiny slice of physics science, and even that in very distorted smoke-and-mirrors way in order to make it run in realtime. You learn more about computational optimizations, numerical methods and linear algebra, while physics is mostly elementary level. For example, all of optics is stuffed into highly optimized and simplified rendering pipeline and "physically based rendering" is anything but.

Re: Ask HN: How to self-study physics?

#40

I have a list of resources [1] I found to be helpful when I was doing my physics undergrad. I can highly recommend MIT's courses. Learning physics can be tough at times if you're doing it alone as it's common to get stuck on a hard problem and need to talk it through with someone else. If you ever want to discuss any problems feel free to reach out to me (see the contact page on my website). [1] https://cameronperot.…

This is amazing, thank you! I will most definitely take you up on your offer!
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