Physics – advice and reading
Alexander Hearmon, Debate Chamber Physiscs Tutor, writes:
Physics is about making sense of everything around us, from the very large such as stars, galaxies and the expansion of the universe, to the unimaginably small quantum worlds of atoms and subatomic particles. That a single subject can cover such a broad range of natural phenomena (not to mention everything in between!) is what makes physics truly exciting and extremely rewarding to study. Whether you’re experimentally or theoretically inclined, the mathematics (sometimes called the ‘language of physics’) you’ll need to gain a rigorous understanding of the way things work is fascinating in its own right.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of studying physics, however, is that we still do not have a complete understanding of everything: there are always new avenues to be explored, and new ideas to be formulated. In addition, the applications of the subject are seemingly limitless: almost everything in the modern technological world has physics to thanks for its conception and the drive to develop better technologies ensures that the field is always fresh and interesting.
Recommended Reading
Brian Green: The Elegant Universe
This is an extremely approachable and carefully written account of modern theoretical understanding of some of the most interesting aspects of the subject such as superstring theory, quantum mechanics the search for a ‘theory of everything’.
Richard Feynman, Robert Leighton and Matthew Sands: The Feynman Lectures on Physics
The first volume of this set of lectures will build upon the foundations of A-level physics and Feynman’s unique style of teaching conveys his immense passion for the subject. Concepts are explained clearly and thoroughly.
Stephen Hawking: A Brief History of Time, From the Big Bang to Black Holes
Perhaps one of the most famous popular science books of all time, Hawking attempts to answer some of the ‘big questions’ of modern physics.
Some useful web sites:
HyperPhysics:
A vast ‘roadmap’ throughout nearly every area of physics, complete with examples and interactive calculations. Excellent cross-referencing to help you find exactly what you need.
Physics World:
Hosted by the Institute of Physics, this site has a collection of interesting articles outlining some of the latest developments in physics.
How Stuff Works:
A large collection of articles explaining the science behind many modern-day technologies and much more besides.