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* I wanted to major in physics, but went into computer engineering instead. * Physics always seemed glamorous. I know the reality is different, but studying ph

* I wanted to major in physics, but went into computer engineering instead. * Physics always seemed glamorous. I know the reality is different, but studying physics makes me feel like a wizard (EDIT: in training). * I want to be able to read pop-physics and actually be able to dissect it. * I want to be able to simulate GR. * I want to understand QFT * I want to be able to simulate atoms and molecules from first-principles. * I want to UNDERSTAND

smaddox 9y ago
If you haven't already, I highly recommend Feynman's Lectures on Physics: http://feynmanlectures.caltech.edu http://feynmanlectures.caltech.edu While much more advanced than typical introductory texts, it does provide deeper insights than typical introductory texts, which makes it worth the investment.
- JabavuAdams 9y ago
  I'm more at the level of Goldstein for Mechanics, and learning about the Lagrangian. Of course, there's still much to learn from Feynman.
- 52-6F-62 9y ago
  I'm a beginner, thinking about returning to school for physics, but I'm dipping in with this tome I purchased recently. He's a great explainer for someone at my level. And I have to brush up on all of the math (and learn calculus...) in order to fully understand. It's exciting that reading him isn't just a cold hard wall. It's proving to be a great guide into what to sort of triage my studies. I strongly second this one! (Though I have to admit that I purchased a not-cheap edition of the first volume to get started -- though I prefer reading from paper, and don't yet own an eReader and have a bit of a burgeoning library anyway. But thanks for the link! it's nice to have the rest on hand).
jxy 9y ago
> * I want to be able to simulate GR. > * I want to understand QFT > * I want to be able to simulate atoms and molecules from first-principles. With the current technology, assuming standard model of particle physics (which is QFT) is the first-principle, simulating atoms would take trillions of the age of the universe, let alone molecules, or any effect of GR.

smaddox 9y ago

If you haven't already, I highly recommend Feynman's Lectures on Physics: http://feynmanlectures.caltech.edu http://feynmanlectures.caltech.edu While much more advanced than typical introductory texts, it does provide deeper insights than typical introductory texts, which makes it worth the investment.

JabavuAdams 9y ago
I'm more at the level of Goldstein for Mechanics, and learning about the Lagrangian. Of course, there's still much to learn from Feynman.
52-6F-62 9y ago
I'm a beginner, thinking about returning to school for physics, but I'm dipping in with this tome I purchased recently. He's a great explainer for someone at my level. And I have to brush up on all of the math (and learn calculus...) in order to fully understand. It's exciting that reading him isn't just a cold hard wall. It's proving to be a great guide into what to sort of triage my studies. I strongly second this one! (Though I have to admit that I purchased a not-cheap edition of the first volume to get started -- though I prefer reading from paper, and don't yet own an eReader and have a bit of a burgeoning library anyway. But thanks for the link! it's nice to have the rest on hand).

jxy 9y ago

> * I want to be able to simulate GR. > * I want to understand QFT > * I want to be able to simulate atoms and molecules from first-principles. With the current technology, assuming standard model of particle physics (which is QFT) is the first-principle, simulating atoms would take trillions of the age of the universe, let alone molecules, or any effect of GR.