Lectures on physics
T[hese] books [are] based upon a course of lectures in introductory physics given by Prof. R.P. Feynman at the California Institute of Technology during the academic year 1961-1962; it covers the first year of the two year introductory course taken by all Caltech freshmen and sophormores, and was followed in 1962-63 by a similar series covering the second year.
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14recommend
36mentions
29people
2008–2026years
44% recommend44% neutral11% critical
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- I clearly remember checking out Volume 1 of Feynman's Lectures on Physics from local library, more than 30 years ago. I've read that stuff like a novel, refusing to return the book for the whole semester and was willing the pay the fine, ignoring the requests of the librarian :)
The idea that one could be taught physics by the virtual Feynman... oh my! There will be no better live person in the next hundred years, who could be better at the task than even fake Feynman.
Yes, I'm fully aware that the tech is not there yet and there are miriad of both technical and social problems to be solved but the mere idea of it really excites me.
- First, you’ll need an engaging intro to physics. Without enthusiasm, anything you do will be boring. In the 60’s, books by George Gamow interested me, as did books on astronomy and astrophysics. I can’t say what newer books would help, though I will give that a look.
To learn the basics, something like The Feynmann Lectures on Physics.
Description and links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Feynman_Lectures_on_Physic...
The lectures online:
https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/info/
But if you are serious, know that there are really varied branches of physics, some theoretical and some experimental. The theoretical branch (and making it through grad school) will demand lots and lots of math, and not the “numerical” kind that is common in computing. You might get familiar with symbolic math computing, such as MAXIMA.
Experimental work is very hands-on, but since so much of it is quantum level, the math is also important. Lesson I learned: if you want to really do physics, learn to love math, advanced stuff.
But if you do get into experimental physics, there are some pretty exciting projects. Just today, I found this article.
If you want something done right, do it yourself: the scientists who build their own tools
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-04015-0
Astronomy and Astrophysics are similar. You can go experimental, and of course, reduce tons and tons of data. But cosmology is going to require mostly math as your tool, relativity and quantum physics, perhaps the twain will meet.
Of course, you could go the circular route, as I did. I got a B.S. in physics, did optical and electronic engineering, and eventually got a job supporting computing at an outstanding physics department.
I was a great experience, but when funds were cut, I went on to other, mostly computer-related, jobs.
Personally, I took a liking to optics, which requires knowledge of physics, but it was something I could hold in my hands ( i.e. a camera ) or not hold, as in space optics. My optical engineering days were very enjoyable.
- Feynman’s Lectures on Computation: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FJ6RRK7/ref=as_li_tl?ie... You might be familiar with Feynman's Lectures on Physics, but his lectures on Computation (based on a class he taught and his work in 'Connection Machine') aren't any less amazing. Through this short book, Feynman guides us through the concept of computation and the van Neumann architecture in his unique style, from logic functions, to Turing machines, coding and even quantum computers. It will give you a unique appreciation of the finer points in which computers are "Dumb as hell but go like mad" and give you a completely different way of thinking about computation
- Feynman’s Lectures on Computation:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FJ6RRK7/ref=as_li_tl?ie...
You might be familiar with Feynman's Lectures on Physics, but his lectures on Computation (based on a class he taught and his work in 'Connection Machine') aren't any less amazing. Through this short book, Feynman guides us through the concept of computation and the van Neumann architecture in his unique style, from logic functions, to Turing machines, coding and even quantum computers. It will give you a unique appreciation of the finer points in which computers are "Dumb as hell but go like mad" so that you can better squeeze every bit of performance out of your code.
- Feynmans lectures on computer science: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FJ6RRK7/ref=as_li_tl?ie...
You might be familiar with Feynman's Lectures on Physics, but his lectures on Computation (based on a class he taught and his work in 'Connection Machine') aren't any less amazing. Through this short book, Feynman guides us through the concept of computation and the van Neumann architecture in his unique style, from logic functions, to Turing machines, coding and even quantum computers. It will give you a unique appreciation of the finer points in which computers are "Dumb as hell but go like mad" so that you can better squeeze every bit of performance out of your code.
- You might try Feynman's Lectures on Physics. They're available free online [0] or you can get a nicely bound boxed set.
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