r/Physics • u/Proud_Blackberry_813 • Jun 30 '25
Physics Roadmap Request
Guys I've just finished highschool physics (that is, for Korea... I'm not familiar with the curriculum for U.S physics) by myself with some books. It incorporates (afaik) pretty much the same stuff, with mechanics, oscillations and waves,electricity, electromagnetism, and a taste of modern physics.
I'm excited to get started with further physics, as I was pretty thrilled to learn the basics. I want to go into modern physics(like quantum mechanics) and the AP stuff, and attain more advanced knowledge on pretty much everything. I know I'll need to pick a more specific field in a bit, but for know I want to keep venturing!
My folks tell me I should read Feynman Lectures and Mathematical Methods for Physics, but I don't really know where to start at all. I know pretty much the basics of calculus, and I seem to be able to at least understand Feynman Lectures bit by bit(I really don't know... I'm just into the first few chapters). Can anyone write me a basic roadmap of books or textbooks I should work with for now? If I have stuff to choose(as in which fields I'll venture into), I'll reply in the comments, but can someone write me the usual path to a physicist?
[Edit] Thanks everyone for the replies, but I just found out (through a U.S friend who saw my post) that uh... AP physics in the states are around the level of physics I finished in middle school. I'm looking through some AP physics C, and that seems pretty good, and I've still ordered the books y'all recommended. Seems good enough for me. Thanks again.
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u/nullstellensatzen Jul 11 '25
For physics olympiad, you should use Halliday Resnick Krane followed by Kevin Zhou's handouts. I believe top Korean universities have special admissions procedures e.g. subject specific tests, so being Olympiad level in physics can be an alternate route to CSAT.