The Naked Scientists
  • Login
  • Register
  • Podcasts
      • The Naked Scientists
      • eLife
      • Naked Genetics
      • Naked Astronomy
      • In short
      • Naked Neuroscience
      • Ask! The Naked Scientists
      • Question of the Week
      • Archive
      • Video
      • SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
  • Articles
      • Science News
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Answers to Science Questions
  • Get Naked
      • Donate
      • Do an Experiment
      • Science Forum
      • Ask a Question
  • About
      • Meet the team
      • Our Sponsors
      • Site Map
      • Contact us

User menu

  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Help
  • Search
  • Tags
  • Recent Topics
  • Login
  • Register
  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. Non Life Sciences
  3. Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology
  4. How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« previous next »
  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Down

How can I start learning quantum physics alone?

  • 11 Replies
  • 4754 Views
  • 1 Tags

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Yahya A.Sharif (OP)

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • 511
  • Activity:
    11%
  • Thanked: 4 times
How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« on: 30/09/2022 08:19:13 »
I understand physics. Can someone tell me how to expand my physics knowledge by knowing quantum mechanics? from where should I start?
« Last Edit: 30/09/2022 08:46:19 by Yahya A.Sharif »
Logged
 



Offline Bored chemist

  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • *******
  • 31101
  • Activity:
    11.5%
  • Thanked: 1291 times
Re: How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« Reply #1 on: 30/09/2022 08:51:49 »
This is as good a place to start as any.
https://www.khanacademy.org/
Logged
Please disregard all previous signatures.
 
The following users thanked this post: Yahya A.Sharif

Offline paul cotter

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 2319
  • Activity:
    31.5%
  • Thanked: 260 times
  • forum grump
Re: How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« Reply #2 on: 30/09/2022 11:23:11 »
Yahya, I commend your interest in expanding your physics knowledge. A lot of contributors post on topics they have no understanding of with the absolute certainty that is only available to the truly ignorant. Unless one understands conventional physics there is no hope of any coherent new concepts being developed. Quantum theory is a particularly difficult subject-much of it is counterintuitive. I have no more than a basic knowledge of physics and would not attempt to explain quantum theory to anyone. Relativity is another counterintuitive theory and here I might just be able to explain the basics of special relativity but not so with general relativity. A quote attributed to a physicist( I can't remember who it was ) was "if you think you understand quantum theory you haven't been paying attention", or words to that effect. I hope this does not discourage you.
Logged
Did I really say that?
 
The following users thanked this post: Zer0

Offline HaelSturm

  • First timers
  • *
  • 8
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 3 times
  • Naked Science Forum Newbie
Re: How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« Reply #3 on: 30/09/2022 18:19:36 »
 Depending on your previous knowledge and the depth of understanding you desire, there are a number of different ways you could approach learning more about quantum mechanics. If you are new to the subject, a good place to start might be with an introductory book or online course that will give you a basic understanding of the key concepts. Once you have a foundation to work from, you could then move on to more advanced texts or tutorials. Alternatively, if you are already familiar with the basics of quantum mechanics, you might want to focus on a specific area that interests you. For example, you could study the mathematical principles underlying quantum theory, or learn about the experimental techniques used to test its predictions. Whichever route you choose, expanding your knowledge of quantum mechanics is sure to be a rewarding experience.
Good luck ;)
Logged
''Science and technology are the keys to both our longevity and our demise. Our entire existence on this planet is a double-edged sword'' Rhys Darby.
Scientific papers: https://assignbuster.com/free-topics/science-essay-topics/"
 
The following users thanked this post: Zer0, Yahya A.Sharif

Offline Yahya A.Sharif (OP)

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • 511
  • Activity:
    11%
  • Thanked: 4 times
Re: How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« Reply #4 on: 01/10/2022 08:29:18 »
Quote from: paul cotter on 30/09/2022 11:23:11
Unless one understands conventional physics there is no hope of any coherent new concepts being developed.
I invent theories in classical physics. How Newton invented a true gravity equation although he has no quantum physics background ? This equation sill works and is independent of general relativity. I can invent something like a gravity equation by observing the gravity force and how the distance between the masses and values of the masses affect the force without knowing Quantum mechanics " I am not comparing myself to Newton but that is possible if I have his mind and still Newton do not know quantum mechanics "
This great true theory is purely classical.
https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=84458.0
« Last Edit: 01/10/2022 08:41:16 by Yahya A.Sharif »
Logged
 



Offline alancalverd

  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 21157
  • Activity:
    73.5%
  • Thanked: 60 times
  • Life is too short for instant coffee
Re: How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« Reply #5 on: 01/10/2022 08:56:07 »
Newton did what physicists do: constructed a mathematical model that matched and then predicted actual observations. Nothing to do with quantum mechanics - and quantum gravitation still remains an undemonstrated hypothesis.

The best introduction to quantum mechanics I think is to follow its historical derivation via Planck's explanation of black-body radiation and the photoelectric effect, then to consider how line spectra can occur. This will at least put some "visual"  framework in your mind. The conceptual difficulty I found was incorporating Schrodinger's wave mechanics into my thinking but it gets clearer if you approach it from the point of view of stereochemistry (why are molecules the shape they are, and wobbly?).  Whatever you do, don't get sidetracked by Schrodinger's cat or anything that smells of philosophy or psychology - it's just physics, chemistry and mathematics.
Logged
Helping stem the tide of ignorance
 
The following users thanked this post: Zer0, Yahya A.Sharif

Offline Niko43Gold

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • 12
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 1 times
  • Naked Science Forum Newbie
Re: How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« Reply #6 on: 05/10/2022 15:09:27 »
I don't really know physics but quantum physics it's so fun to learn about because it's so unique and fun.
Logged
 
The following users thanked this post: Zer0

Offline Origin

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 2248
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 210 times
  • Nothing of importance
Re: How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« Reply #7 on: 05/10/2022 16:00:48 »
Quote from: Yahya A.Sharif on 30/09/2022 08:19:13
I understand physics.
You actually don't understand basic physics.  You don't know some of the very basics such as the conservation of energy.  I would recommend getting a good base of understanding of the easy stuff before trying to tackle the really hard stuff.
Logged
 

Offline Colin2B

  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ********
  • 6476
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 708 times
Re: How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« Reply #8 on: 05/10/2022 17:40:20 »
Quote from: Niko43Gold on 05/10/2022 15:09:27
……quantum physics it's so fun to learn about because it's so unique and fun.
It is also one of the most misunderstood and poorly explained in the popular press.
It depends on your definition of fun!
Logged
and the misguided shall lead the gullible,
the feebleminded have inherited the earth.
 



Offline Zer0

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 1932
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 232 times
  • Email & Nickname Alerts Off! P.M. Blocked!
Re: How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« Reply #9 on: 05/10/2022 18:13:35 »
I've seen some fun & interesting documentaries on YouTube.

I'd recommend watching them for fun & understanding.

Keywords are " Jim Al Khalili Quantum Physics ".

His documentaries are Simply Fascinating.
Have Fun!
Logged
1N73LL1G3NC3  15  7H3  481L17Y  70  4D4P7  70  CH4NG3.
 

Offline Eternal Student

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 1832
  • Activity:
    7.5%
  • Thanked: 470 times
Re: How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« Reply #10 on: 08/10/2022 02:33:00 »
Hi.

   Looks like you've had some reasonable advice already.   You need to have studied Mathematics to about the equivalent of a UK  "A" level before you try and seriously start learning some Quantum Mechanics.   You may need to push that understanding a further and learn a little more about differential equations as you go through the course.   If you don't have the equiavlent of an A level in mathematics  then I would start by learning that first.  Without the Mathematics you will be limited to the "Pop Sci" version of Quantum Mechanics  (QM) -  for example watching some general access documentaries about Quantum Physics.

    I'm always keen to try and access the same resources that university students would have.   That pretty much guarantees that you would be exposed to the same sort of thing as someone who could reasonably call themselves professionally educated in that topic.

    There are some old University lectures available on YouTube  given by  prof.  Leonard Susskind.   Sadly the video quality is not high - this was made about 16 years ago when sharing university lectures to the general public was a new and cutting edge thing.   
   The website  URL is given in a quote box to prevent the forum software from automatically embedding the actual YT video in here:
Quote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h1E3YJMKfA

    and find the rest of the lecture course with sensible search terms    (e.g.  just type the title and add "lecture 2"  etc.).    These are roughly 1st year University courses.

    There are also some slightly newer videos on QM  from prof. Susskind but the lectures are at an even more advanced level   (let's say roughly the equivalent of a UK University course for the final year of study).   
Quote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mi0PoPvLvs
   


M.I.T.  have decicded not to be left behind in the race to make their lectures available to the general public.    Their version of a lecture course is available here:
Quote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ3bPUKo5zc
   I haven't seen many of the lecture courses prvided by M.I.T. so I can't be sure they are as good  BUT  you would have thought they were good.

    There are probably other University lectures now made available online.  (In my opinion, EVERY university should be doing this by now.  However, many of them continue to keep their lectures private and will only release that material to students that pay the annual fees for the University.   This is a separate issue and has been discussed in another thread).

     The lecture courses I have found and mentioned above were studied by students over one full semester  with about  1 lecture per week,  of about 1.5 hours each   x  12 weeks    and would have included doing some work on your own at home to build and improve your understanding.   You should expect to spend a similar amount of time yourself.   You won't have the problem sheets with all the examples set out for you to try at home BUT you should still look through your own lecture notes and start asking yourself questions about it.   See if you can reproduce or remember how to prove some bits from more simple results etc.  Set yourself examples and practical problems and see if you can solve them etc.   Like most bits of Science or Mathematics, you MUST practice it yourself, simply listening to someone lecture is not good enough.   It is much harder to solve a problem from scratch, entirely on your own, rather than to just follow along with what someone else is doing  BUT you will learn more when you work on your own examples.

   Overall, expect to spend several weeks learning this stuff.     These lecture courses usually give a recommendation for a textbook.   If and when you think you're really interested then try and get that book or arrange for your local library to get in it in for you to borrow etc.   You can be fairly sure that the lecturer has done most of the hard work for you and identified a book that is useful out of all the others on the topic that may be  too advanced  or too difficult to understand,  too simple, extremely inaccurate  or  suffer from some other problem.

Best Wishes.
Logged
 
The following users thanked this post: Zer0

Offline MikeFontenot

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • 198
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 3 times
  • Naked Science Forum Newbie
Re: How can I start learning quantum physics alone?
« Reply #11 on: 11/10/2022 19:07:38 »
Quote from: Yahya A.Sharif on 30/09/2022 08:19:13
I understand physics. Can someone tell me how to expand my physics knowledge by knowing quantum mechanics? from where should I start?

The best explanation of QM that I've seen is in Penrose's book "Shadows of the Mind".
Logged
 



  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
Tags: quantum physics 
 
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
  • SMF 2.0.15 | SMF © 2017, Simple Machines
    Privacy Policy
    SMFAds for Free Forums
  • Naked Science Forum ©

Page created in 0.975 seconds with 61 queries.

  • Podcasts
  • Articles
  • Get Naked
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • We love feedback

Follow us

cambridge_logo_footer.png

©The Naked Scientists® 2000–2017 | The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks created by Dr Chris Smith. Information presented on this website is the opinion of the individual contributors and does not reflect the general views of the administrators, editors, moderators, sponsors, Cambridge University or the public at large.