- #1
patternman
- 1
- 0
I basically started learning physics 4 months ago. I want to cover the whole physics school curriculum in the next 9 months, as well as the important chemistry and maths. I want to be prepared to start a physics degree in 9 months. I have around 4 hours a day(approx) to devote to it. I want to know all the good resources to learn these topics. I want to know the good books, websites and anything else. My focus is on understanding the theory and solving problems. Books that have lots of theory and/or lots of worked problems are what I love to read. I love examples and diagrams.
My background...
My maths is around pre-calculus/beginner calculus level. I found maths easy until this level but it. Though it isn't always easy anymore, it has become more fun and useful. The difficulty of some problems is balanced by the fun.
Despite being somewhat good at maths I have struggled a lot to understand basics physics concepts and still don't understand them enough. Actually I have seen some classmates chug along thinking I'm stupid, while I sat there wondering what energy even is.
So far the best physics books I have read have been:
Basic Physics - Karl F Kuhn
This book was a very good way to learn but isn't comprehensive enough.
Introduction to Advanced Physics - David Brodie
This book had good theory but not enough problems and answers
So here are my mental handicaps:
I struggle to memorize anything without context
I struggle to apply anything without knowing the theory behind it
I struggle to understand from words alone sometimes. Whereas you can just point to a diagram, then say this has x properties, that has y properties, and I'll understand instantly.
So summary books like CGP don't work well for me. I basically need to cover the whole A level physics as well as the important chemistry and maths topics needed for physics, for 16 -18/19 year olds in the UK. I can handle maths myself but am looking for help to find good physics and chemistry resources which I can study that will prepare me for the first year of a physics undergraduate course.
My background...
My maths is around pre-calculus/beginner calculus level. I found maths easy until this level but it. Though it isn't always easy anymore, it has become more fun and useful. The difficulty of some problems is balanced by the fun.
Despite being somewhat good at maths I have struggled a lot to understand basics physics concepts and still don't understand them enough. Actually I have seen some classmates chug along thinking I'm stupid, while I sat there wondering what energy even is.
So far the best physics books I have read have been:
Basic Physics - Karl F Kuhn
This book was a very good way to learn but isn't comprehensive enough.
Introduction to Advanced Physics - David Brodie
This book had good theory but not enough problems and answers
So here are my mental handicaps:
I struggle to memorize anything without context
I struggle to apply anything without knowing the theory behind it
I struggle to understand from words alone sometimes. Whereas you can just point to a diagram, then say this has x properties, that has y properties, and I'll understand instantly.
So summary books like CGP don't work well for me. I basically need to cover the whole A level physics as well as the important chemistry and maths topics needed for physics, for 16 -18/19 year olds in the UK. I can handle maths myself but am looking for help to find good physics and chemistry resources which I can study that will prepare me for the first year of a physics undergraduate course.