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The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1961-1964)

feynmanlectures.caltech.edu

51–60 of 64 posts

Re: The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1961-1964)

#51
post #24

It’s on my bucket list to read through these lectures and grok them. Maybe it will be a retirement project? While we are talking about this, I feel like I need to brush up on my math. Does anyone know what level of math is required to work through these?

In theory high school algebra should be enough if you go through in order. Feynman introduces calculus in the chapter on motion (from first principles) and on it goes from there. The challenge is it's assumed that you're now familiar with these introduced concepts, and Feynman is very good at tricking you into thinking you understand what's going on.

A sibling comment mentions linear algebra. Vectors are introduced early on, and the chapter on tensor introduces matrices (eg second rank tensors). Multi variable calculus? I can't find where partial derivatives enter, but there's a chapter on vector calculus (to get ready for Maxwell). Really, it's all in there with no prior knowledge needed.

It's certainly a lot easier if you've seen the material before and read FLP as a second perspective. Hence why so many of the attendees were grad students and faculty. What it lacks as a teaching aide is the mind numbing exercises that all physics students do in their first year to practice using the mathematics. There's a reason the "University physics" books are doorstops.

Re: The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1961-1964)

#52
to those thinking about using these as your intro to physics, I would think again. Its common sentiment among the physics crowd that these are nice to go through after you understand the concepts, not as an introduction. Usually your junior year summer go through them for fun if you have the time

Re: The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1961-1964)

#53
post #51
post #24

It’s on my bucket list to read through these lectures and grok them. Maybe it will be a retirement project? While we are talking about this, I feel like I need to brush up on my math. Does anyone know what level of math is required to work through these?

In theory high school algebra should be enough if you go through in order. Feynman introduces calculus in the chapter on motion (from first principles) and on it goes from there. The challenge is it's assumed that you're now familiar with these introduced concepts, and Feynman is very good at tricking you into thinking you understand what's going on. A sibling comment mentions linear algebra. Vectors are introduced e…

What’s FLP?

Re: The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1961-1964)

#54
post #44

If you enjoy Feynman's lectures as much as I do (he taught freshman physics when I went to Caltech!) I highly recommend his armchair series, "Fun to Imagine": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYg6jzotiAc He's sitting at home in Pasadena, talking about stuff that comes to mind. • Jiggling atoms who like to make friends with each other. • Where do trees come from? (It's not the dirt.) • Why don't your arms sink through…

he makes a solid--but ok, some of you would quibble it--Newtonian physics error in that series. anybody else here have a claim that they can correct Feynman?

The errata from the aforementionned Lectures is quite a list if I remember correctly, so probably a few people :)

Re: The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1961-1964)

#55
post #53
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In theory high school algebra should be enough if you go through in order. Feynman introduces calculus in the chapter on motion (from first principles) and on it goes from there. The challenge is it's assumed that you're now familiar with these introduced concepts, and Feynman is very good at tricking you into thinking you understand what's going on. A sibling comment mentions linear algebra. Vectors are introduced e…

What’s FLP?

Feynman Lectures on Physics, I assume.

Re: The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1961-1964)

#56

Thanks for the link to the downloadable versions. I have the Feynman Lectures loaded on an old iPod and I find them to be an amazing sleep aid. This is not a criticism, they are engaging enough to take my mind off of whatever is keeping me up while also being baffling enough that I fall asleep during the extended sections of blackboard writing sounds. My current set of files is not as good as the recently re-edited C…

I love learning math or physics when it's past 11pm and sleep doesn't come. Either I'd fall asleep like normal people, or become a genius. So far it's been the former.

Re: The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1961-1964)

#57

If you enjoy Feynman's lectures as much as I do (he taught freshman physics when I went to Caltech!) I highly recommend his armchair series, "Fun to Imagine": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYg6jzotiAc He's sitting at home in Pasadena, talking about stuff that comes to mind. • Jiggling atoms who like to make friends with each other. • Where do trees come from? (It's not the dirt.) • Why don't your arms sink through…

This is one of my favorite things on Youtube. With off-the-cuff words alone he paints more vivid visuals than most high production value videos. I particularly like the "Magnets" bit, even though it's more controversial.

Re: The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1961-1964)

#58
post #51
post #24

It’s on my bucket list to read through these lectures and grok them. Maybe it will be a retirement project? While we are talking about this, I feel like I need to brush up on my math. Does anyone know what level of math is required to work through these?

In theory high school algebra should be enough if you go through in order. Feynman introduces calculus in the chapter on motion (from first principles) and on it goes from there. The challenge is it's assumed that you're now familiar with these introduced concepts, and Feynman is very good at tricking you into thinking you understand what's going on. A sibling comment mentions linear algebra. Vectors are introduced e…

I'm wondering what the science experts on this forum think would make a high-quality preparation for homeschoolers and what curriculum they would endorse. Like, say, from elementary school age to high school graduation that would prepare them well for the material of FLP.

Would that include books like Griffiths' Introduction to Electrodynamics and Purcell & Morin's Electricity and Magnetism? Also interested in what people would use for Biology.

Re: The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1961-1964)

#59

If you enjoy Feynman's lectures as much as I do (he taught freshman physics when I went to Caltech!) I highly recommend his armchair series, "Fun to Imagine": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYg6jzotiAc He's sitting at home in Pasadena, talking about stuff that comes to mind. • Jiggling atoms who like to make friends with each other. • Where do trees come from? (It's not the dirt.) • Why don't your arms sink through…

This is one of my favorite things on Youtube. With off-the-cuff words alone he paints more vivid visuals than most high production value videos. I particularly like the "Magnets" bit, even though it's more controversial.

Nah, magnets is just rude.

Re: The Feynman Lectures on Physics (1961-1964)

#60

Thanks for the link to the downloadable versions. I have the Feynman Lectures loaded on an old iPod and I find them to be an amazing sleep aid. This is not a criticism, they are engaging enough to take my mind off of whatever is keeping me up while also being baffling enough that I fall asleep during the extended sections of blackboard writing sounds. My current set of files is not as good as the recently re-edited C…

I do the exact same thing. Listen to the lectures, they are fun and engaging and at some point I doze off.
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