general physics
Mechanics, oscillations, waves, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, and an introduction to modern physics topics such as special relativity, quantum mechanics, and subatomic physics.
Note 1: This material is often taught in three semesters. While there is no consensus on how to organise these topics to make three courses, it is almost always the case that the first course is mostly about mechanics, the second course is mostly about electromagnetism, and the third course is mostly about modern physics. The remaining topics then fit into one of the three general physics courses, depending on the faculty’s preference.
Note 2: If you are learning on your own, it is important to know that the first general physics course, focused on mechanics, is usually taught in tandem with calculus; and that the second course, focused on electromagnetism, is usually taught in tandem with multivariable calculus. While general physics courses are not too demanding mathematically, allowing for a student to learn these physics and mathematics courses in tandem, I would recommend learning calculus before mechanics, and multivariable calculus before electromagnetism. This makes it easier to learn the physics and consolidates the calculus courses by learning some of their main applications.
- General Physics
AP Physics Study Guide, by R. H. Jansen, 2006, Aliso Niguel High School.
Simple Nature, by B. Crowell, 2020, Light and Matter. - Mechanics
Mechanics, by B. Crowell, 2019, Light and Matter.
8.01SC Classical Mechanics, by D. Chakrabarty, P. Dourmashkin, M. Tomasik, A. Frebel, and V. Vuletic, 2016, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8.01L Physics I: Classical Mechanics, by G. Stephans, 2005, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Introductory Physics I, by R. G. Brown, 2021, Duke University.
Calculus-Based Physics Volume I, by J. W. Schnick, 2008, Saint Anselm College. - Electricity and Magnetism
Fields and Circuits, by B. Crowell, 2021, Light and Matter.
Electricity and Magnetism: MIT 8.02 Course Notes, by P. Dourmashkin, 2019, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8.02 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism, by P. Dourmashkin, E. Hudson, and S. Liao, 2007, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8.022 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism, written by J. Silva, based on lectures by M. Shaw, 2006, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8.022 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism, by G. Sciolla, 2004, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Introductory Physics II, by R. G. Brown, 2021, Duke University.
Calculus-Based Physics Volume II, by J. W. Schnick, 2006, Saint Anselm College. - Introduction to Modern Physics
Modern physics: With Waves, Thermodynamics, and Optics, by B. Crowell, 2020, Light and Matter.
Introduction to Modern Physics, by C. W. Fay, 2011, Ferris State University.
Modern Physics, by J. Kiefer, 2012, St. Bonaventure University.
- With Solutions
• General Physics
Fundamentals of Physics I and Fundamentals of Physics II, by R. Shankar, 2008 and 2011, Yale University.
• Mechanics
8.012 Physics I: Classical Mechanics, by A. Burgasser, 2008, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8.01L Physics I: Classical Mechanics, by G. Stephans, 2005, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8.01X Physics I: Classical Mechanics with an Experimental Focus, by K. Scholberg, P. Dourmashkin, 2002, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Physics 1A, by J. Onuchic, 2010, University of California, San Diego.
Physics 1A, by J. Onuchic, 2010, University of California, San Diego.
• Electricity and Magnetism
8.022 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism, by E. Katsavounidis and P. Fisher, 2002, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8.02x Physics II: Electricity & Magnetism with an Experimental Focus, by G. M. Roland and P. Dourmashkin, 2005, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Physics 1B, by B. Keating, 2009, University of California, San Diego.
Physics 1B, by H. Levine, 2010, University of California, San Diego.
• Introduction to Modern Physics
Physics 1C, by H. Levine, 2010, University of California, San Diego.
Physics 1C, by M. Okamura, 2010, University of California, San Diego. - Without Solutions
• Mechanics
8.01SC Classical Mechanics, by D. Chakrabarty, P. Dourmashkin, M. Tomasik, A. Frebel, and V. Vuletic, 2016, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8.012 Physics I: Classical Mechanics, by A. Burgasser, 2008, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8.01L Physics I: Classical Mechanics, by G. Stephans, 2005, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• Electricity and Magnetism
8.02 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism, by P. Dourmashkin, E. Hudson, and S. Liao, 2007, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8.022 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism, by M. Shaw, 2006, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8.022 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism, by G. Sciolla, 2004, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- General Physics
Fundamentals of Physics I and Fundamentals of Physics II, by R. Shankar, 2008 and 2011, Yale University.
Crash Course Physics, by S. Somara, 2016, Crash Course. - Mechanics
8.01x Physics I: Classical Mechanics, by W. Lewin, 1999, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Physics 240, by J. Wrobel, 2010, University of Missouri-Kansas City. - Electricity and Magnetism
8.02x Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism, by W. Lewin, 2002, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Physics 250, by J. Wrobel, 2009, University of Missouri-Kansas City. - Introduction to Modern Physics
Relativity, by M. van Biezen, 2019, Loyola Marymount University.
Atomic Modern Physics, by M. van Biezen, 2017, Loyola Marymount University.
Particle Physics, by M. van Biezen, 2017, Loyola Marymount University.
University Physics, Vol 1, by W. Moebs, Formerly of Loyola Marymount University, S. J. Ling, Truman State University, and J. Sanny, Loyola Marymount University, 2021, OpenStax.
University Physics, Vol 2, by S. J. Ling, Truman State University, W. Moebs, Formerly of Loyola Marymount University, and J. Sanny, Loyola Marymount University, 2021, OpenStax.
University Physics, Vol 3, by S. J. Ling, Truman State University, J. Sanny, Loyola Marymount University, and W. Moebs, Formerly of Loyola Marymount University, 2021, OpenStax.
Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics, Relativity, and Thermodynamics, by R. Shankar, 2014, Yale University Press.
Fundamentals of Physics II: Electromagnetism, Optics, and Quantum Mechanics, by R. Shankar, 2016, Yale University Press.
Fundamentals of Physics, Extended, by D. Halliday, R. Resnick, and J. Walker, 12th ed., 2021, Wiley.
University Physics with Modern Physics, by H. Young and R. Freedman, 15th ed., 2019, Pearson.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics, by R. D. Knight, 4th ed., 2016, Pearson.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics, by R. A. Serway and J. W. Jewett, 10th ed., 2018, Cengage Learning.
Physics: Principles with Applications, by D. Giancoli, Global ed., 2015, Pearson Education.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, by P. A. Tipler and G. Mosca, 6th ed., 2007, W. H. Freeman.
Physics for Engineers and Scientists, by H. C. Ohanian and J. T. Markert, 3rd ed., 2006, W. W. Norton & Company.
Understanding Physics, by M. Mansfield, C. O’Sullivan, 3rd ed., 2020, Wiley.
Schaum’s Outline of Physics for Engineering and Science, by M. Browne, 4th ed., 2019, McGraw Hill.
Problems in General Physics, by I. E. Irodov, 1988, Mir Publishers.