I want to start studying physics by myself, where should I start?

Question

I am zero at this topic, but VERY interested in it. The only knowledge I have about physics is Physical Science class in the 9th grade in High School. I would like to know if you have any book recommendations or websites, etc. Thanks.

Saved one I'm just asking where should I start, like should I start on atoms or the theory of relativity??? I don't know.

Answer 1

What level of education are you at now?
You mentioned having took a 9th grade physical science class....are you still in high school? In college? or beyond?
How are your math skills? Are you calculus competent? or do your still rely solely on algebra.
How much physics do you remember from your 9th grade class?
The answers to these questions will be of great importance when recommending books for you to self-study from and what topics you will need to start off on and focus your attention.

When studying physics it is important to know the basics. In other words it is a good idea to work in the general order which most physics students are taught in....start out with mechanics, electricity, magnetism, waves/optics, and then from there proceed to more advanced subjects.
I would not recommend going into relativity or quantum mechanics without first having a solid grounding in the core of the subject.
Even, for instance, if you wanted to make a career out of being a theoretical physicist and working with very advanced physics topics...you still need to start out learning the basics and get a general degree in Physics...only after this do you specialize.

EDIT:
Firstly I would recommend taking a high school level Physics course. I assume you will be required to take some form of biology and chemistry before you gradate, but also try to squeeze in a pure physics class...don’t just leave it at a physical science level.
I would also recommend getting an algebra based Physics text book (covering an intro to physics topics). You will want to know the algebra based physics part well before moving onto the calculus based stuff...especially since you are still a few years away from learning Calculus. There are different levels of algebra-based physics...there is of course the introductory stuff they teach first year students, but there is also a more advanced level which is taught at the AP level. There are two physics AP tests; there is Physics AP B and Physics AP C. The C test is calculus based and is divided into two sections... (Mechanics) and (electromagnetism and waves). The B test is algebra based and covers a much broader array of topics...mechanics, E&M, optics, nuclear physics, and some more I think (check the AP web site). If you feel up to it I would recommend you going to this level since it will give you more topics which you can focus on and it is still algebra.
In college, if not before hand, you will make the transition to calculus based physics, and this is where the math skills really come in handy. Even at this level, you will still be focusing on the basic physics topics, mechanics and heat, and E&M and waves.
Depending on your college and chosen major, this may be where you get your first real introduction into special relativity and (to a lesser extent) quantum mechanics (chemistry also deals with this too when talking about electrons around atoms).

So anyway, my advice for someone at your level at experience would be to continue one's education in algebra based physics. Try finding various text books to help you become acquainted with the concepts. After you get a better basic understanding and more math experience under your belt you can step it up to Calculus based physics.

I am reluctant to recommend specific books because for most of these topics the book itself doesn’t matter very much, they will all cover the same topics in roughly equal depth….this stuff, after all, has been well known and understood for hundreds of years. Just use what you can [buy/borrow/…] and try to find books which work well for you.

Answer 2

It's a difficult question to answer unless you tell something about your goals. Do you want to really understand physics and be able to solve physical problems or do you just want to get an impression of what physical theories are like?

In the first case, as another answerer pointed out, you need some mathematical background (especially differential and integral calculus and preferably also some elementary vector calculus), but you will then be able to deal with "classical" physics including the special theory of relativity. Physics is tough and there is no easy way. I think you have to start with the beginning which is classical mechanis (Newtons laws and all that) and maybe electromagnetism. Find some high school/college books at the library. From there it is certainly possible to take a look at the special theory of relativity which doesn't require further mathematical skills. Maybe check out Young and Freedman: University Physics. It is a college/university book, but it starts from the beginning and cover almost all physical topic to some extend - it might give you an overview. As for electromagnetism on the university level I would start with David Griffiths: "An Introduction to Electromagnetism".

Almost all modern physics (including atomic, nuclear and particle physics) is based on quantum mechanics (the physical laws on the atomic length scale). Quantum mechanics is fascinating in many respects, but really getting into it is hard work - also for a physics student - and requires further mathematical skills (familiarity with complex numbers and linear algebra on a fairly abstract level), so I guess that's not the place to start. I don't want to discourage you, but I don't want you to run into a wall, either. If/when you at some point feel ready for quantum mechanics I would recommend David Griffiths: "An introduction to Quantum Mechanics" over any other introductory book. It also introduces some of the mathematics needed (though in a very compact form).

An important fact: Physics is pretty much learning by doing. You don't learn physics by reading lot's of thick books. You learn physics by solving physical problems and working things out yourself, so whatever phyisics book you start with: Solve some of the problems in it. It's challenging, but it's the only way. Having a pen and a piece of paper besides you when you read a physics book is absolutely mandatory! If you have the possibility to do some simple physical experiments that would be great, too.

In the latter case there are plenty of popular science books of varying quality. Just go to the library (for instance check out the following authors: George Gamow, Stephen Hawking, John Gribbin). Especially I will recommend George Gamow very much. He was a great, humouristic physicist who has written a couple of small books directed at readers exactly like you.
Unfortunately most popular science books are very superficial (and might leave you with a feeling that you understand even less than before) and are also quite narrow when it comes to the topics covered (typically weired modern theories in particle physics and cosmology which even most physcisists don't know about in any detail). However, I will certainly not discourage you from consulting such books. Many of them are well written, funny and can stimulate your interest. It's just that you shouldn't expect to get a thorough understanding from them.

Answer 3

If you dive right into the math and relativity aspects, you may lose your enthusiasm. These can come later as you develop more and more interest - and questions.
You will naturally progress into the more complex aspects as you build upon what you have learned. Start slow and easy - build into the subject - make sure you completely understand the fundamentals as you read them - reread them if necessary until you fully understand the concept of the matter being discussed.

Study about classical mechanics and why they were excepted as fact for centuries before they were proved incorrect.
New technologies proved Newton's laws did not explain certain phenomena - especially when his laws of motion did not explain certain observations and experiments - both celestrial and sub-atomic.

Remember, a thousand confirmations don't make a theory into a fact, but just one discrepancy will invalidate it!

As you progress into the the subject, you will slowly get the math involved - and then you will really begin to understand the "why" and "how" of some of the more abstract ideas and theories - no one, not even the great Einstein could have come up with the conception that matter and energy are the same thing - it was the equations and math results that led to this conclusion - and his genius that deducted that this wasn't just a mathematical fluke - but was in fact the reality.

It's a fascinating subject for sure.

Answer 4

The Feynman Lectures. These 3 books compose the introductory courses that Feynman taught undergraduates at cal tec. They should be available at your local library, and the great thing is that you'll get an accurate overview of interesting physics without needing a strong mathematical background to follow his explanations. Most popular "new physics" books have very little useful content, and learning intro mechanics from a textbook is unlikely to keep your interest (unless you're masochistic). If a better place to begin exists, then neither I nor any of professors of fellow grad students know of it. Ignore all the other suggestions and buy or rent these volumes.

Also, dont be discouraged by people saying you need to have a "lab" or go to a lecture. Intro classes are awful; I know because my friends have to teach them. The only thing you need to learn from being in a real lab is lab technique, which is important but entirely different from what you're talking about.

Answer 5

Do the theory of relatively absolutely dead last -- after a year of college level physics with lab and college level chemistry with lab.

I recommend you start with the DVD version of "Particle Physics for Non-Physicists: A Tour of the Microcosmos" from the Teaching company (go to the link and select Science and Mathematics). http://www.teach12.com

If you want to know more, then go through ALL of the Teaching Company mathematics courses that you need -- then -- take a college physics class WITH THE LABORATORY.

You really learn physics and really learn chemistry IN THE LAB and when you walk into the lecture hall or lab you need to know the math. I agree with the professor's posting on this subject as he is very wise to point this out.

Answer 6

I don't know if the title even exists but if you can find one entitled "Physics for Dummies" it would be a great start. I used several in the series when I was trying to learn something about computer networking. They are very basic, and simple to read. While I didn't get a lot of answers, at least I could ask intelligent questions and research specific topics after I read them.

Good luck, physics is a real bear to learn with good teachers, I envy you the confidence required to tackle it on your own.

Answer 7

Physics is a tough subject to take on by yourself, but kudos for the ambition! First off, make sure you have a pretty good understanding of mathematics. Without that, you'll be lost. Next, pick up a used textbook for entry level college physics (Tipler would be a good choice, but there are many).

Another strong point of any physics regimen is the lab. Make some simple experimental observations so you can actually SEE what's going on. Some lab equipment is very expensive (lasers for one) but with a fundamental understanding of procedures, the expenses won't be prohibitve.

Good luck, and welcome to the world of understanding why things happen!

Answer 8

I highly recommend
"Instant Physics" by Tony Rothman. It is a good overview of all physics from classical to thermodynamics to quantum mechanics. It doesn't use any advanced math, sticking only to algebra.

It's a really good way of getting your feet into the various branches of physics without getting too deep in any particular subject. It's the only one i've found that gives a good summary of everything related to physics but does not go in depth.

From there, you can choose a particular subject that insterests you. What ended up interesting me was quantum mechanics and astrophysics, in which case there are many fine books made for inquisitive people who don't want a degree in that field.

Answer 9

The recommendation would depend on where your math skills are at? Have you studied calculus already?

I have not stayed current on the physics textbooks, so would recommend that you contact a university bookstore and see what is being used for the introductory physics courses with and without calculus. A course using calculus is much more elegant (and enjoyable) if your math is up to it.

Aloha

Answer 10

"Why things are the way they are" ... Great non-mathematical introduction to the fundamentals of solid state physics and materials science. Also atoms and structure.