Self-Study Resources for Physics
Physics rewards patience and good materials. Below is a curated path — the textbooks, lecture series, and online courses I'd point a motivated self-learner to, organized by topic and roughly ordered from the classical core to the quantum frontier. You don't need more than high-school math to begin; pick a tile to jump straight to a subject. Every book links to a neutral catalogue page so you can track it down at a library or wherever you prefer.
Tip: press Ctrl/Cmd + F to find a specific book or topic.
General Physics
Big-picture introductions and the broad sweep of physics.
Books
The Feynman Lectures on Physics — Richard P. Feynman, Robert B. Leighton & Matthew Sands
A comprehensive and engaging introduction to physics, covering a wide range of topics.
Details Read freeFundamentals of Physics — David Halliday, Robert Resnick & Jearl Walker
A widely used introductory textbook that covers a broad range of physics topics with clear explanations and examples.
DetailsUniversity Physics with Modern Physics — Hugh D. Young & Roger A. Freedman
A comprehensive textbook that provides a thorough introduction to physics, including modern physics topics.
Details
Lectures & videos
- Physics GirlEngaging videos that explain various physics concepts in an accessible way.
- MinutePhysicsShort and informative videos on a wide range of physics topics.
- Khan Academy PhysicsA wide range of physics tutorials and explanations, suitable for learners at all levels.
- VeritasiumEngaging, well-produced videos that explore various physics concepts and phenomena.
- Sixty SymbolsNottingham University professors discuss fascinating developments in physics research and concepts.
- Your Daily Equation with Brian GreeneBrian Greene breaks down the most important equations in physics.
- Pretty Much PhysicsShort videos that cover a wide range of physics topics in an accessible manner.
Online courses
- MIT OpenCourseWare: Physics CoursesA collection of free lecture series on various physics topics from MIT.
Mathematical Methods
The mathematical toolkit of the working physicist.
Books
Group Theory in a Nutshell for Physicists — A. Zee
Group theory taught with a physicist's instincts — finite and continuous groups, Lie groups and algebras, and representations — covering the symmetry tools that recur throughout quantum mechanics, particle physics, and field theory.
Details
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- Vector CalculusGrad, div, and curl; line, surface, and volume integrals; and the theorems of Green, Stokes, and Gauss — the calculus that electromagnetism and fluid dynamics are written in.
Classical Mechanics
Newtonian and Lagrangian dynamics of motion.
Books
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- Classical DynamicsLagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics built up from Newton's laws, with rigid bodies and a first taste of chaos.
- Dynamics and RelativityA gentle first course on Newtonian dynamics and gravitation, ending with the basics of special relativity.
Lectures & videos
- Lectures by Walter LewinA series of classical mechanics lectures by MIT professor Walter Lewin.
Online courses
- MIT OpenCourseWare: Classical MechanicsA comprehensive course on classical mechanics from MIT.
Electromagnetism
Fields, charges, and Maxwell's equations.
Books
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- ElectromagnetismMaxwell's equations developed from scratch — electrostatics, magnetostatics, and electromagnetic waves, including a relativistic treatment.
Lectures & videos
- Walter Lewin: 8.02 Electricity & MagnetismThe complete 8.02 electricity and magnetism lectures by MIT professor Walter Lewin.
Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
Heat, entropy, and the statistics of many particles.
Books
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- Statistical PhysicsEnsembles, entropy, and the laws of thermodynamics derived from statistical mechanics, through to phase transitions.
- Kinetic TheoryNon-equilibrium statistical mechanics: the Boltzmann equation, transport phenomena, and the approach to equilibrium.
Lectures & videos
- MIT OpenCourseWare: ThermodynamicsLectures on thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
Optics
Light, lenses, and wave phenomena.
Books
Lectures & videos
- MinutePhysics: OpticsShort and informative videos on optics topics.
Quantum Mechanics
The wavefunction and the rules of the quantum world.
Books
Principles of Quantum Mechanics — R. Shankar
A comprehensive and accessible textbook on quantum mechanics.
DetailsIntroduction to Quantum Mechanics — David J. Griffiths
A widely used textbook for learning quantum mechanics, suitable for beginners.
DetailsQuantum Mechanics — Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, Bernard Diu & Frank Laloe
A comprehensive and detailed textbook, suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students.
Details
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- Quantum MechanicsA first course: the Schrodinger equation, Hilbert space, the harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, and the hydrogen atom.
- Topics in Quantum MechanicsA second course: scattering theory, perturbation theory, atomic physics, and the foundations of quantum mechanics.
Lectures & videos
- Professor M does ScienceCambridge academics simplify university-level quantum mechanics with rigorous, concise, transparent explanations.
- Quantum VillageAccessible deep-dives into quantum mechanics and quantum information.
Online courses
- edX: Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and EngineersA course that provides a solid foundation in quantum mechanics.
- Coursera: Quantum MechanicsAn introductory course on quantum mechanics.
Quantum Field Theory
Where quantum mechanics meets special relativity.
Books
An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory — Michael E. Peskin & Daniel V. Schroeder
A widely used textbook for learning quantum field theory.
DetailsQuantum Field Theory for the Gifted Amateur — Tom Lancaster & Stephen J. Blundell
An accessible introduction to quantum field theory.
DetailsQuantum Field Theory in a Nutshell — A. Zee
An accessible and comprehensive introduction to quantum field theory.
Details
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- Quantum Field TheoryThe canonical introduction: classical field theory, canonical quantization, Feynman diagrams, and quantum electrodynamics.
- Gauge TheoryYang-Mills theory, instantons, anomalies, and the field-theoretic backbone of the Standard Model.
Lectures & videos
- Physics ExplainedLong-form, carefully built explanations that include quantum field theory and the path integral.
Quantum Optics
Quantized light and its interaction with matter.
Books
Lectures & videos
- Professor M does ScienceRigorous, transparent lectures on quantized light, the harmonic oscillator, and second quantization.
- Physics ExplainedLong-form explanations of the quantum physics underpinning light-matter interaction.
Quantum Computing
Qubits, algorithms, and quantum information.
Books
Quantum Computation and Quantum Information — Michael A. Nielsen & Isaac L. Chuang
A comprehensive textbook on quantum computing and quantum information.
DetailsQuantum Computing: A Gentle Introduction — Eleanor G. Rieffel & Wolfgang H. Polak
An accessible introduction to quantum computing for beginners.
Details
Lectures & videos
- QiskitTutorials and explanations on quantum computing using the Qiskit framework.
Online courses
- edX: Introduction to Quantum Computing for EveryoneA beginner-friendly introduction to quantum computing from the University of Chicago.
More resources
- IBM QuantumAn online platform to learn and experiment with quantum computing.
- Qiskit DocumentationComprehensive documentation and tutorials for learning quantum computing with Qiskit.
Special Relativity
Spacetime, simultaneity, and the speed of light.
Books
Spacetime Physics — Edwin F. Taylor & John Archibald Wheeler
A great introduction to special relativity, with clear explanations and plenty of examples.
DetailsIntroduction to Special Relativity — James H. Smith
A concise and accessible textbook on special relativity.
DetailsIntroduction to Special Relativity — Robert Resnick
A classic and accessible textbook on special relativity.
Details
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- Dynamics and RelativitySpecial relativity from first principles — Lorentz transformations, spacetime, and relativistic dynamics — built alongside Newtonian mechanics.
Lectures & videos
- MinutePhysics: Relativity SeriesShort and informative videos on special relativity topics.
General Relativity
Gravity as the curvature of spacetime.
Books
A First Course in General Relativity — Bernard Schutz
A well-written and accessible textbook on general relativity.
DetailsGravitation — Charles W. Misner, Kip S. Thorne & John Archibald Wheeler
A comprehensive and advanced textbook on general relativity.
DetailsEinstein Gravity in a Nutshell — A. Zee
A comprehensive and accessible textbook on general relativity.
Details
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- General RelativityDifferential geometry, the Einstein field equations, black holes, and gravitational waves.
Lectures & videos
- PBS Space TimeExplores various topics in general relativity and theoretical physics.
Online courses
- Coursera: General Relativity I — Theoretical FoundationsAn introduction to curved spacetime and the Einstein field equations, from HKUST.
Classical Field Theory
Fields and Lagrangians before quantization.
Books
Lectures & videos
- Physics ExplainedLong-form explanations covering Lagrangians, fields, and the principle of least action.
Atomic Physics
Atoms, spectra, and light-matter interaction.
Books
Introduction to Atomic Spectra — Harvey Elliott White
A comprehensive textbook on atomic spectra and atomic physics.
DetailsThe Physics of Atoms and Quanta — Hermann Haken & Hans Christoph Wolf
An accessible introduction to atomic physics.
DetailsAtomic Physics — Christopher J. Foot
A comprehensive textbook, suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students.
Details
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- Topics in Quantum MechanicsIncludes a thorough chapter on atomic physics — fine and hyperfine structure, the Zeeman effect, and selection rules — alongside scattering and perturbation theory.
Lectures & videos
- MIT OpenCourseWare: Atomic PhysicsLectures on atomic physics.
Nuclear Physics
Inside the nucleus: structure, decay, and reactions.
Books
Introductory Nuclear Physics — Kenneth S. Krane
A comprehensive textbook on nuclear physics.
DetailsTheoretical Nuclear Physics — John M. Blatt & Victor F. Weisskopf
A classic textbook on theoretical nuclear physics.
DetailsIntroduction to Nuclear Particle Physics — A. Das & T. Ferbel
A comprehensive textbook on nuclear and particle physics.
Details
Lectures & videos
- MIT OpenCourseWare: Nuclear EngineeringLectures on nuclear physics.
Condensed Matter Physics
Solids, crystals, and emergent collective behavior.
Books
Introduction to Solid State Physics — Charles Kittel
A widely used textbook for learning condensed matter physics.
DetailsPrinciples of Condensed Matter Physics — Paul M. Chaikin & T. C. Lubensky
A comprehensive textbook on condensed matter physics.
DetailsThe Oxford Solid State Basics — Steven H. Simon
An accessible introduction to solid state physics.
Details
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- Solid State PhysicsCrystal lattices, band structure, electrons and phonons in solids, and the quantum theory of materials.
- The Quantum Hall EffectThe integer and fractional quantum Hall effects, and an accessible doorway into topological phases of matter.
Lectures & videos
- Physics ExplainedLong-form explanations covering superconductivity and the quantum physics of solids.
Particle Physics
Elementary particles and the Standard Model.
Books
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- Particle PhysicsAn introduction to the particles and symmetries of the subatomic world, building intuition before the full field theory.
- The Standard ModelConstructing the Standard Model: gauge symmetry, electroweak unification, and the Higgs mechanism.
Astrophysics & Cosmology
Stars, galaxies, and the evolution of the cosmos.
Books
Lecture notes (David Tong)
- CosmologyThe expanding universe, the thermal history of the Big Bang, and the growth of cosmic structure.
Lectures & videos
- PBS Space Time: AstrophysicsExplores various topics in astrophysics and cosmology.
Journals & Papers
Open-access journals and repositories to read and follow current research.
Open-access journals & repositories
- arXiv: PhysicsA repository of open-access research papers across physics. Note: these papers are not peer-reviewed.
- Physical Review XAn open-access journal that publishes original research in all areas of physics.
- New Journal of PhysicsAn open-access journal that covers all areas of physics.
- Journal of High Energy PhysicsAn open-access journal focusing on high energy physics, including particle physics, field theory, and quantum mechanics.
- Advances in Physics: XAn open-access journal that publishes high-quality research across all areas of physics.
- Scientific Reports: PhysicsAn open-access journal that publishes research in all areas of physics.
- Frontiers in PhysicsAn open-access journal that covers a wide range of topics in physics.
- EPJ OpenA series of open-access journals covering various fields of physics, including EPJ C (Particles and Fields) and EPJ D (Atomic, Molecular, Optical and Plasma Physics).
- Physics OpenAn open-access journal that publishes research in all areas of physics.
- npj Quantum InformationAn open-access journal focusing on quantum information science and technology.
- Journal of Physics: CommunicationsAn open-access journal that publishes high-quality research across all areas of physics.
Tools & References
Calculators, concept maps, and communities to lean on along the way.
Reference hubs
- HyperPhysicsA comprehensive concept-map resource for learning various physics topics.
- Wolfram AlphaA powerful computational engine that helps with solving physics problems and visualizing concepts.
- Physics ForumsA community and resource hub for students and enthusiasts interested in physics.
These should give you a solid foundation for learning physics, whatever your starting point. Happy learning!