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I'm interested in learning physics. I do realize that the subject is large and that it would be easier if I had a specific area of interest. However, I do not. I suppose I want to learn about the fundamentals of it all; the axioms that combine all physics fields. Or, in other words, a high school physics class.

Specifically, a book or series of videos would be helpful. I looked over MIT and unfortunately the material wasn't for me. I don't mean to be "picky" so I am not completely ruling out any resource just yet.

Thanks in advance.

Manishearth
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user951
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6 Answers6

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I say, start with the Feynman lectures. You can even watch them online. There are also many online physics courses by reputed physicists on Youtube. Some with Leonard Susskind, but I think they are advanced.

raindrop
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Raskolnikov
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Physics for the 21st centuryis a new, free, on-line course that explores the most modern development in physics. It includes videos, readings, and interactive labs. It's quite good, and represents a modern reformulation of The Mechanical Universe and Beyond, a series of videos from the mid-eighties that covers all of introductory physics—also available online for free.

occam98
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Here is an excellent guide titled "How to Learn Math and Physics" http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/books.html

Webfarer Escape
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For freshman level physics, the canonical text is Halliday, Resnick, and Walker's Fundamentals of Physics (at least in the US). It will require calculus. Don't worry about the hefty price tag - you can get an old edition and be fine. It covers everything you'd learn in the first year as a physics student.

Halliday, Resnick, and Walker is good for teaching you how to do physics problems and great at the fundamentals, but it isn't really very fun. If you want something that's more fun to read, you should definitely go for the Feynman Lectures. They're amazing, pitched at a basic level but full of deep detail. You won't learn how to solve actual real-world problems especially well, but they are full of insight on every page and really well-written.

spencer nelson
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You could try the Khan Academy's room on Physics. It's been known to be an excellent resource, even to the likes of Bill Gates.

PearsonArtPhoto
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The book by by Resnick and Halliday

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Try to solve as many problems as possible. :)

May the force be with you!

Pratik Deoghare
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