Ask HN: Best way to learn modern Physics?

10 points

4 years ago

I've recently become interested in modern Physics. I want to understand quantum mechanics, space-time, quantum gravity, and what we understand about the nature of reality. I have a decent mathematical background (PhD in CS) but almost no Physics knowledge. I took a few Physics classes in college, but all I did was memorize a few equations and pattern-match them to problem in the exams. I remember nothing.

I could go the traditional route and work through standard Physics books, e.g. something like the Feynman lectures. But if I want to arrive at modern Physics, is it even a good idea to spend many months working through "Newtonian" stuff that may not be relevant? How much of the standard Physics curriculum (Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, etc) is a prerequisite for understanding modern Physics? You can see I'm quite clueless.

How do I best go about this? Do you have any resource you would recommend?

EDIT: I took a look at SICM [0] because it has a CS angle which I thought may help, but it's above my level. I don't understand what many of the Physics terms means and I don't have the intuition to follow the explanations.

[0] https://groups.csail.mit.edu/mac/users/gjs/6946/sicm-html/book.html

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