What should I learn before studying quantum physics?

Question

Yes, I do realize that I am still just 14 years old. Just answer the question, okay?

Answer 1

Calculus is mandatory, but before that you need algebra, trigonometry, and geometry to understand calculus. Basically, as much math and physics as you can take.

Answer 2

I would suggest going to the websites of a university or two that offer a physics major and review the prerequisites of that degree. You'll find lots of math including linear algebra, and calculus. Physics majors are usually the ones that take QM. They also generally take a specialized course in mathematical methods of physics (or some equivalent title) that focuses more intently on physics applications. Of course there are physics prerequisites too: Classical (this usually introduces special relativity), electromagnetism, physics of (classical) waves, Basically, you should consider a physics major if you want to study quantum mechanics.

All the above is just FYI for future planning, though. Unless you are extremely gifted intellectually, at 14 just take as many AP classes in math and science as your school systems offers. Look into getting some early college credit in your HS senior year too. If, however, you *are* gifted, follow up the university website research with a trip to the school's book store, and start buying the mandatory texts (or collect titles and buy used elsewhere). alternately, after familiarizing yourself with the course prerequisites, start asking more specific questions on this forum like "what's the best textbook for studying college level linear algebra", etc.

Answer 3

Study as much math as you can. The more math you learn the more prepared you will be to do physics and especially quantum mechanics.

Take probability, multi-variable and vector calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and complex analysis. Some relativity will help also if you plan on doing particle physics.

All these courses should be required in a normal physics major plan.

Also you'll want to take a mathematics for physicists class.

I suggest you talk to a physics professor at your local college, he or she may be very welcoming for the chance to teach these subjects to a younger student.

Answer 4

Having taken QM (quantum mechanics) in a universtiy (I got a B), No Mo's list is good. But as QM deals a lot with probability density functions and their conjugates, I would not skip complex variables, which are big time in using conjugates.

I'd be prepared to take every one of the subjects No Mo listed...no exceptions. Then you will be prepared to enter into the bizarre world of guantum physics where a quantum can exist anywhere in the universe at any given time. Really weird stuff....

Answer 5

Newtonian physics, that is kinematics and dynamics, are a subset of Einstein and quantum mechanics and so you have to master those first. To properly understand that requires differential and integral calculus. To understand that requires a solid base in algebra, and so on.

Mathematics is a powerful and expressive language for describing physical phenomena; that is why it is important to understanding physical phenomena, especially counterintuitive ones like quantum mechanics. So study and practise math, for even if its usefulness is not apparent at first you will soon realize that being comfortable with math pays off handsomely in the long run.

Now, that all being said, it will probably be motivational for you to read accessible writings on advanced physics. That's where the really interesting, brain-twisting facts are; studying them informally while building your expertise in the underlying areas of math will help you to combat the tedious parts of the task.

I wish you the best in your quest for knowledge. Enjoy!

Answer 6

Well, No Mo has laid out a nice course of study for you, but I would offer a slightly different spin. Take No Mo's list not as a list of things to learn BEFORE studying quantum physics, but as a list of things to learn WHILE studying quantum physics. Jump right into the subject while your enthusiasm is high. There are some great not-so-technical books on quantum physics and physics in general that you can enjoy now. These will keep your enthusiasm high enough to make you want to learn the math to understand this fascinating subject at a deeper level.

For an introduction to physics, including quantum physics, start with two books by Richard Feynman: "Six Easy Pieces," and "Six Not-So-Easy Pieces." These are terrific books. They are actually collections of lectures given by Feynman to entry level college physics students.

For more on the mysteries of quantum physics, there are two great books by John Gribbin that you can enjoy now without the mathematical prerequisites: "In Search of Schrodinger's Cat: Quantum Physics and Reality," and "Schrodinger's Kittens and the Search for Reality: Solving the Quantum Mysteries."

After these books have tantalized you with glimpses of the mysteries of quantum physics, you will really want to know the math. Then by all means start down No Mo's list. But No Mo's list is a multi-year course of study. There is another book you can start now that will sort of spoon feed the math if you are ready to roll up your sleeves and think hard: "The Road to Reality, A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe," by Roger Penrose.

Last but not least, if you want to get a survey of the math you will need to master, in a book that will help you really enjoy mathematics, get "Mathematics, From the Birth of Numbers," by Jan Gullberg. This will take you from the beginning of numbers right through differential equations in one book. It is so well written it makes the learning fun, and you're fully capable of working your way through it now.

So dive in!

Answer 7

Good answers, but I like Jack D's best. Just start reading about it. Start with the simplest articles in the popular press. Move on to whatever you can understand. It will become obvious what you will need to learn as background. And it will motivate you to learn it. And it will put a target in the back of your mind about why you want to learn it.

In libraries, it's easy and cheap to look at books and magazine articles. It costs nothing to put the book back on the shelf after you realize it's way above you. But it's still informative to skim through it even if you don't understand much of it.

Keep in mind science fair projects you might do. A photocell can measure light intensity, but a photomultiplier tube can detect individual photons.

When I was that age, learning science was lots and lots of fun. It still is.

Answer 8

Hey, it's okay to be 14 and interested in quantum physics. I can't recommend what you should learn first but I can point you in the direction of some information:
-books by the author and reknowned physician Deepak Chopra.
-the movie 'What the Bleep Are We Thinking? (how far down the rabbit hole do you want to go?) '
Both are excellent sources of info on quantum physics and are entertaining as well.
Best of luck future quantum physicist!!

Answer 9

Tell you what - I'll go according to my university's syllabus:
proper physics courses:
1. MECHANICS AND SPECIAL RELATIVITY
2. ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
3. ANALYTICAL MECHANICS
4. WAVES AND OPTICS
mathematical courses:
1. APPLIED MATHEMATICS (1) (basically analysis/calculus)
2. APPLIED MATHEMATICS (2) (ordinary differential equations, Fourier analysis, and much more)
3. LINEAR ALGEBRA FOR PHYSICISTS
4. EQUATIONS OF MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS (vector and tensor analysis, partial differential equations, and much more) (needed for anything but the very basics of quantum mechanics)
5. PROBABILITY THEORY AND APPLICATIONS
6. COMPLEX VARIABLES AND APPLICATIONS (this may be overlooked I think)

hope this helps. you can look up many of the terms I sprinkled above in wikipedia.

Answer 10

For particular relativity you like purely common algebra and calculus. For conventional Relativity, you like tensor calculus and Riemann geometry. in spite of the undeniable fact that, for finished understanding of the muse for those, you may desire to comprehend Maxwell's equations which require vector calculus and partial differential equations. For quantum mechanics you like matrix algebra and all the above.