Reddit reviews University Physics Technology Update (13th Edition)

Here's a link to my college physics curriculum(currently a freshman physics major): http://catalog.njit.edu/undergraduate/science-liberal-arts/physics/applied-bs/

And the introductory book: https://www.amazon.com/University-Physics-Technology-Update-13th/dp/0321898028

Good luck with your self-study!

https://www.amazon.com/University-Physics-Technology-Update-13th/dp/0321898028
I'm taking both mech and em without being in the class and this book is so helpful. If you YouTube for the allure of physics on YouTube Walter Lewin gives amazing lectures for mechanics. The lectures paired with the textbook and a prep book will almost guarantee you a 5.

I see a lot of Feynman answers here. As /u/celestial92 said, it goes into calculus a bit quickly. If you know basic calculus and whatever resource you decide to choose, my suggestion is to purchase a copy of University Physics.

I have seen/taken physics courses from three different books now, starting from Giancoli (Physics I), then Randall Knight (Phyisics II), and Halliday and Resnick's (TA for Physics I). But then, when I was struggling with some electricity concepts, someone recommended me University Physics (During my Physics II class). Best book for self-study IMO.

All you need for this book is just knowledge of Calculus till the basics of integrals. Not too much, not matrices, and definitely not multivariable calculus (for this book)

I think the reason it's not so widespread is due to its price. But I think you can get a old edition (11th or 12th, they're almost the same as the latest one) used for pretty cheap.

The videos and MOOCs never did it for me. Reading a paragraph and thinking about it made me much better at thinking about Physics, not just solving problems. And made me change my major. I still look at the monstrosity like its some superhero.

After this book you should read Feynman's Lectures. They'll give you a different perspective about basics of Mechanics, and overall a better understanding. Just go to your local college's library (No one will really notice) and sit there and read the few starting chapters.

And then you'll be ready to dive into begging Quantum mechanics (Although there is some introductory stuff in almost every college book, my recommendation included) and then sky's the limit.

And the thing about physics is, problems are important. Whether they be conceptual (more important) or just formula plugging(bit less but still important), do them. Don't think that since you're doing this just as a side thing you'll just save some time. The conceptual problems question your understanding of the material and the numerical ones the real life application of what you learnt.

Don't give up. Once you complete a considerable part of mechanics, try to analyze real life situations around you and try to predict what will happen,like when someone fall off a fast moving bicycle or car drifting or just birds flying. Once you realize Physics is all around you, you'll want to keep going.

But if you straight up dive into quantum mechanics, and Albert's good ol' theory, you will just understand the surface of it, not what it really is by yourself. Once you connect different branches of Physics, thats when the fun starts.

I didn't really give any resources, mostly because /u/Celestial92 's answer was great, and partly because all you will ever need to learn are the two parts of the above plan. And I felt like giving a sense of what you will be getting into.

Good luck!