Looking for a readable book on modern physics...

[djgustashaw]

This coming fall, I'll be taking an introductory class on modern physics; namely, relativity and quantum mechanics. It's not a required course for me to take, it's just something I'm taking because I enjoyed the theory behind Maxwell's equations in my e-mag course. I don't want to make the mistake of taking a class with good intentions only to kill my GPA, so I'm trying to find some good reading material for the summer that will help get me ready for it.

One thing I want to make clear: I'm NOT looking for a textbook. Like the title says, I'm looking for a readable book; something that clearly explains the basics of relativity and is easy to knock out chapters with. I was in the Georgia Tech bookstore the other day, and one that caught my eye was titled "Simply Einstein." It only covers relativity, which is what I'm really interested in anyway, but I wanted to see if anyone here had recommendations before I drop money on something. I know there's a lot of smart geeks here, so hopefully y'all can help! Thanks!

 

[mrarroyo]

How are you in calculus? I hope your skills with it are top notch, otherwise you will have to do a lot of catching up or dropping the class.

While I graduated from GT 25 years ago I remember the courses were hard enough and kept you so busy it was hard to mingle with the ladies

So do yourself a favor and stick to the basics and enjoy your college years a bit.

On the other hand if your goal is to do R&D go for it!

 

[JahJahBinks]

Just to go MIT OCW, they have lecture slides on introductory quantum physics, and they are made to be understood with little effort.

 

[saint.panda]

As a general recommendation, the Feynman lectures are always worth a consideration for an interesting take on all topics pertaining physics. Although these are textbooks, you'll find them to be pretty diverting and they're highly informative to boot; not dry at all. Feynman was a nobel prize winning genius but also a very funny guy who wrote some entertaining books that eventually became bestsellers, so he can really write.

Enjoy the course.

 

[mbriant]

http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/Dumm...764554336.html

 

[dan1son]

Have you read "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawkins? That's a classic modern physics book. Readable by just about anyone.

Another newer book would be "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene. He actually did a mini-series on PBS on his book. It's quite good, less quantum physics (although he talks about it some) and more string theory.

String theory is doing a pretty good job of replacing relativity and quantum physics... It would be the most modern of the modern physics.

 

[rsaavedra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan1son Have you read "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawkins? That's a classic modern physics book. Readable by just about anyone. Another newer book would be "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene.

I was going to suggest those very same titles, together with another by Brian Greene: The Fabric of the Cosmos.

 

[a1rocketpilot]

I'll second the Feynman Lectures. I got the full set as my Christmas present recently and they are absolutely fantastic. Though they won't go into the very new physics (the lectures were in 1961-62 if I recall), it still has some fantastic material, taught in Feynman's own distinctive style. Highly recommended!

 

[XXhalberstramXX]

I'll third the Feynmann lectures, but it seems to me that a qualitative understanding of QM doesn't really mean much without a quantitative understanding (finding eigenvalues, wavefunctions, etc).

I really like Feynman's discussion of relativity though. Cleared up a couple of my misconceptions.

 

[jumpinjohn1234]

Check out MIT or UC Berkerly's website. You can find a lot off their websites. In fact, you can go to MIT without being acepted. Go to their site and you'll find live or video recordings of current class lectures. Your basicly taking the class, just w/o credit.

 

[milkpowder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan1son Have you read "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawkins? That's a classic modern physics book. Readable by just about anyone. Another newer book would be "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene. He actually did a mini-series on PBS on his book. It's quite good, less quantum physics (although he talks about it some) and more string theory. String theory is doing a pretty good job of replacing relativity and quantum physics... It would be the most modern of the modern physics.

Those are both very good books. The latter one is an easier read, although still sufficiently challenging for me. The former is pretty difficult IMO, but it sounds to me you will be fine.