Physics

General introduction

Textbooks o R. P. Feynman. “The Feynman Lectures on Physics: The Definitive and

Extended Edition (Hardcover, 3-volumes). Addison Wesley, 2005.

[Remarkable introduction to modern physics by “the great explainer” Richard

Feynman]

Video Lectures o MIT Course 8.01 Physics I: Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

MIT Course 8.02 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism, Spring 2002

MIT Course 8.03 Physics III: Vibrations and Waves, Fall 2004

[Lectures by Prof. Walter Lewin at Massachusetts Institute of Technology,

excellent educational value]

Online lectures o K. Thorne, Caltech Ph136, “Applications of Classical Physics” (2006). [Broad

coverage of classical topics]

Classical mechanics

Textbooks o D. Halliday, R. Resnick, K. Krane, “Physics Volume I“, John Wiley & Sons,

5th edition (2001) [Good introduction]

o H. Goldstein, C. P. Poole, J. L. Safko, “Classical Mechanics“, Addison

Wesley, 3rd edition (2002) [The canonical textbook]

o L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, “Course of theoretical physics: Mechanics“,

Butterworth-Heinemann, 3rd edition (1982) [Advanced and elegant treatment]

Online books and lectures o R. Fitzpatrick, Classical Mechanics (University of Texas at Austin, 2006)

[Introductory course]

o H. C. Rosu, Classical Mechanics, arxiv:physics/9909035 [Graduate level]

o K. Thorne, “Applications of Classical Physics” (2005

o G. J. Sussman, J. Wisdom, “Structure and Interpretation of Classical

Mechanics” (MIT Press, 2001). [Excellent advanced presentation in a

computational approach]

Statistical and thermal physics

Textbooks o F. Reif, “Fundamentals of statistical and thermal physics“, McGraw-Hill (New

York 1965). [The standard textbook]

o L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, “Statistical physics“, Butterworth-Heinemann

(3rd edition, 1984). [Elegant and clear exposition]

o E. Fermi, “Thermodynamics“, Dover (1956). [Concise and clear lectures by

Nobel prize Enrico Fermi]

Online lectures o R. Fitzpatrick, University of Texas at Austin, “Thermodynamics & Statistical

Mechanics” (2006).

o A. Huan, “Statistical Mechanics“.

o D. B. Melrose, University of Sydney, “Thermodynamics Lecture Notes”

(2002).

o H. Gould, “Thermal and Statistical Physics” (2006).

Electromagnetism

Textbooks o E. M. Purcell, “Electricity and magnetism“, McGraw-Hill (2nd edition, 1984).

[Standard introductory textbook]

o D. J. Griffiths, “Introduction to electrodynamics“, Prentice-Hall (3rd edition,

1998). [Intermediate level]

o J. D. Jackson, “Classical electrodynamics“, Wiley (3rd edition, 1998).

[Advanced level]

Online lectures o R. Fitzpatrick, University of Texas at Austin, “Classical electromagnetism”

(2006)

o W. J. Spence, Queen Mary University of London, “Electromagnetic theory”

(2006)

Relativity

Textbooks o E. F. Taylor, J. A. Wheeler, “Spacetime Physics“, W. H. Freeman (2nd

edition, 1992). [Classic introduction to special relativity]

o A. P. French, “Special Relativity“, W. W. Norton & Company (1968).

[Introduction to special relativity]

o W. Rindler, “Introduction to Special Relativity“, Oxford University Press (2nd

ed. 1991). [Another good introduction to special relativity]

o J. B. Hartle, “Gravity: An Introduction to Einstein‟s General Relativity“,

Addison Wesley (2002). [Introduction to general relativity]

o B. F. Schutz, “A First Course in General Relativity“, Cambridge University

Press (1985). [Very good textbook on general relativity]

o R. Wald, “General Relativity“, (University of Chicago Press, 1984). [More

advanced textbook on GR]

Online lectures o S. M. Carroll, Lecture Notes on General Relativity (MIT 8.962, Spring 1996)

o G. „t Hooft, Introduction to General Relativity, Lecture Notes (Utrecht

University, 2002)

Cosmology

Textbooks o B. Ryden, “Introduction to Cosmology“, Addison Wesley (2002). [Very good

textbook covering recent topics]

o E. W. Kolb, M. S. Turner, “The Early Universe“, Perseus Books Group

(1993). [Classic text on early universe cosmology]

o S. Dodelson, “Modern Cosmology“, Academic Press (2003). [More advanced

textbook on cosmology]

Online lectures o A. R. Liddle, “Inflationary Cosmology: Theory and Phenomenology“, Class.

Quant. Grav. 19, 3391-3402 (2002). A. Linde, “Particle Physics and

Inflationary Cosmology“, Harwood (1990), repr. in Contemp. Concepts Phys.

5, 1-362 (2005). “Inflation and String Cosmology“, J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 24,

151-160 (2005).

o E. Bertschinger, “Cosmic Microwave Background Anisotropy“,

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Physics 8.942 (2001).

Quantum mechanics

Textbooks o P. A. M. Dirac, “The Principles of Quantum Mechanics” (1958) (Oxford

University Press, 1982). [Fundamental text in the history of quantum

mechanics]

o C. Cohen-Tannoudji, B. Diu, F. Laloe, “Quantum Mechanics (2 vol. set)”

(Wiley Interscience, 2006). [Classic textbook on quantum mechanics]

o D. J. Griffiths, “Introduction to Quantum Mechanics“, (Prentice Hall, 2004)

[Another classic introductory textbook]

o L. E. Ballentine, “Quantum Mechanics: A Modern Development” (World

Scientific Publishing Company, 1998) [Good modern textbook]

Online lectures o D. Cohen, “Lecture Notes in Quantum Mechanics” (2006).

Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics

Textbooks o J. Bell, “Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics” (Cambridge

University Press, 2 ed., 2004). [Collection of philosophical essays by John

Bell on quantum mechanics]

o R. Omnès, “The Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics” (Princeton University

Press, 1994). [Good treatment of the interpretation problem and Griffiths‟

consistent histories approach]

Online lectures o IQC/Perimeter Institute, PHYS490/773, “Interpretations of Quantum

Mechanics” (2005).

Condensed matter

Textbooks o N. W. Ashcroft, N. D. Mermin, “Solid State Physics“, Brooks Cole (1976).

[Classic textbook]

o P. M. Chaikin, T. C. Lubensky, “Principles of Condensed Matter Physics“,

Cambridge University Press (2000). [Good overview including newer topics]

o P. L. Taylor, O. Heinonen, “A Quantum Approach to Condensed Matter

Physics“, Cambridge University Press (2002). [Focused on quantum

treatments]

Online lectures

o C. Nayak, University of California Physics 140a, “Solid State Physics” (2000).

o Y. M. Galperin, University of Oslo FYS 448, “Introduction to Modern Solid

State Physics” (2001)

Particle physics

Textbooks o G. D. Coughlan, J. E. Dodd, B. M. Gripaios, “The Ideas of Particle Physics:

An Introduction for Scientists“, Cambridge University Press (3rd edition,

2006). [A good place to start]

o D. Griffiths, “Introduction to Elementary Particles“, Wiley (1987). [Very good

introductory textbook]

o F. Halzen, A. D. Martin, “Quarks and Leptons: An Introductory Course in

Modern Particle Physics“, John Wiley & Sons (2001) [Standard textbook in

high energy physics]

Online lectures o C.N. Booth, Sheffield University PHY304 “Particle Physics” (2005)

o N. Walet, Manchester University P615 “Particle and Nuclear Physics” (2003)

Specialized Websites o Particle Data Group: The Review of Particle Physics

Quantum Field Theory

Textbooks o L. S. Brown, “Quantum Field Theory” (Cambridge University Press, 1994).

[Very good introduction, using path integral formalism. Covers QED not

QCD]

o M. E. Peskin, “An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory (HarperCollins

1995) [The standard textbook]

o S. Weinberg, “The Quantum Theory of Fields” (3 vol.) (Cambridge University

Press, 2005). [Advanced textbook]

Online lectures o F. Wilczek, “Quantum Field Theory“, Rev. Mod. Phys. 71, S85-S95, (1999).

[General principles] F. Wilczek, “Future Summary“, Int. J. Mod. Phys. A16

1653-1678 (2001); Int. J. Mod. Phys. A16S1A 129-154 (2001). [Future

research perspectives]

o G. „t Hooft, “The conceptual basis of quantum field theory“, Utrecht

University (2005).

o J. L. Rosner, “The Standard Model in 2001“, arxiv:hep-ph/0108195 (2001).

[Review of the standard model]

o P. van Baal, “A Course in Field Theory“, University of Leiden (1998). [Good

course]

o M. Srednicki, “Quantum Field Theory“, Cambridge University Press (2007).

[Preprint]

o D. E. Kharzeev, J. Raufeisen, “High Energy Nuclear Interactions and QCD: an

introduction“, arxiv:nucl-th/0206073 (2002). [Introduction to Quantum

Chromodynamics]

Video lectures o R. Feynman, “Lectures on Quantum Electrodynamics“, Auckland University

(1979). [Remarkable non-technical introduction to QED]

String Theory

Textbooks o J. Polchinski, “String Theory“, (2 vol.) (Cambridge University Press, 1998)

[Standard introduction to string theory]

o M. B. Green, J. H. Schwarz, E. Witten, “Superstring Theory” (2 vol.)

(Cambridge University Press, 1988). [Reference book on string theory]

Online lectures o G. „t Hooft, “Introduction to String Theory” (Utrecht University, 2004)

o A. M. Uranga, “Graduate course in String Theory” (Universidad de Madrid,

2005)

Loop Quantum Gravity

Textbooks o C. Rovelli, “Quantum Gravity“, Cambridge University Press (2004).

[Reference overview of LQG]

Online lectures o T. Thiemann, “Introduction to Modern Canonical Quantum General

Relativity“, arxiv:gr-qc/0110034 (2001)

Mathematics and Computation

Elementary mathematics and general introductions

o K. Peppard, J. Puckett, West Texas University, “Beginning Algebra” (2002),

“Intermediate Algebra” (2002).

o L. Spector, “TheMathPage” (2007).

o D. Joyce, Clark University, “Short Trigonometry Course“, (1996).

o T. Ward, University of East Anglia, “Basic Mathematics“.

o J. Nearing, University of Miami, Physics 315, “Mathematical Tools for

Physics” (2003). [Good course ranging from the very basics up to differential

equations, vectors, tensors and Fourier analysis]

Foundations of mathematics

Mathematical logic o S. G. Simpson, Penn State University, “Mathematical Logic” (2005)

Model theory o S. G. Simpson, Penn State University, Math 563, “Model theory” (1998)

Set theory o P. Dixon, University of Sheffield, “Set Theory” (1999).

Algebra

Number theory

o V. Shoup, “A Computational Introduction to Number Theory and Algebra“,

Cambridge University Press (2005).

Linear algebra o J. Hefferon, “Linear algebra” (2006).

Group theory o B. Ash, University of Illinois, “Abstract Algebra” (2002).

Lie groups o B. C. Hall, University of Virginia, “An Elementary Introduction to Groups and

Representations” (2003).

Category theory o M. M. Fokkinga, University of Utrecht, “A Gentle Introduction to Category

Theory” (1994).

Geometry

Euclidean Geometry o Euclid of Alexandria, “Elements” (300 B.C.)

Topology o T. Ward, University of East Anglia, “Topology” (2001).

Differential geometry o R. M. Bowen, Texas A&M University, “Vector and Tensor Analysis” (1976).

o G. Lugo, University of North Carolina, “Differential Geometry in Physics”

(2006).

Analysis

Calculus o G. Strang, “Calculus“, Cambridge Press (1981).

Real analysis o E. Zakon, University of Windsor, “Mathematical Analysis I” (1975).

Complex analysis o G. Cain, Georgia Institute of Technology, “Complex Analysis“, (1999).

Differential equations o D. Sloughter, Furman University, “Difference equations to differential

equations” (2006).

o M. Pivato, Trent University, “Linear Partial Differential Equations and Fourier

Theory“, (2005).

o W. W. Symes, Rice University, “Partial Differential Equations of

Mathematical Physics” (2006).

o C. Pope, Texas A&M University, “Methods of Theoretical Physics I, chapter 1

and chapter 2” (2006), “Methods of Theoretical Physics II“.

Functional analysis o T. Ward, University of East Anglia, “Functional Analysis” (2003).

o V. V. Kisil, University of Leeds, “Hilbert Spaces” (2006).

Analysis on manifolds o A. Connes, “Noncommutative Geometry” (1994).

Probability

Probability and statistics

o C. M. Grinstead, J. L. Snell, “Introduction to Probability“, AMS (2003).

Theory of Computability

Textbooks o M. Sipser, “Introduction to the Theory of Computation“, Course Technology,

2nd edition (2005). [Excellent introductory textbook]

o G. S. Boolos, J. P. Burgess, R. C. Jeffrey, “Computability and Logic“,

Cambridge University Press (4th edition, 2002). [Classic textbook, covering

Gödel theorems and Turing computability]

o R. L. Epstein, W. A. Carnielli, “Computability: Computable Functions, Logic,

and the Foundations of Mathematics“, Wadsworth Publishing, (2nd edition,

1999). [Good introduction to computability]

Information Theory

Textbooks o T. M. Cover, J. A. Thomas, “Elements of Information Theory“, Wiley-

Interscience (2nd edition, 2006). [Classic textbook covering general and

advanced topics]

o L. Brillouin, “Science and Information Theory“. New York: Academic Press

(1962). [Discusses relations between information theory and physics]

Online lectures o S. Lloyd, MIT 6.050J / 2.110J “Information and Entropy” lecture notes

(2003).

Computational Complexity

Textbooks o M. R. Garey, D. S. Johnson, “Computers and Intractability: A Guide to the

Theory of NP-Completeness“, W. H. Freeman (1979). [The canonical

textbook on NP-completness]

o C. H. Papadimitriou, “Computational Complexity“, Addison Wesley (1993).

[Clear exposition of complexity theory results]

o I. Wegener, R. Pruim, “Complexity Theory“, Springer (2005). [Good textbook

with recent topics]

Online lectures o S. Mertens, “Computational Complexity for Physicists“, Computing in

Science & Engineering, 4, 3, 31-47 (2002) [Links to quantum computing and

statistical mechanics]

Algorithmic Information Theory

Textbooks o M. Li, P. Vitanyi, “An Introduction to Kolmogorov Complexity and Its

Applications“, Springer, (2nd edition, 1997). [The main textbook on

Kolmogorov complexity]

o G. J. Chaitin, “Algorithmic Information Theory“, Cambridge University Press

(2004). Also available online. [Introduction to AIT]

Quantum Information Theory

Textbooks

o M. A. Nielsen, I. L. Chuang, “Quantum Computation and Quantum

Information“, Cambridge University Press (2000). [The reference textbook on

quantum information]

Online lectures o J. Preskill, Caltech Physics 229, “Quantum information and computation“,

lecture notes (1997-1998).

o A. Steane, “Quantum computing“, Rept. Prog. Phys. 61:117-173 (1998).

[Good review article on quantum information theory]

Video lectures o D. Deutsch, “Lectures on quantum computation” (2003).