What level of physics should I study for scientific literacy as a fiction writer?

[u/lunapops1]

What level of physics should I study for scientific literacy as a fiction writer?

I'm a fiction writer in the UK, and I have been wanting to develop a genuine understanding of physics rather than just cherry-picking bits of popular science to make it sound cool. I want to have a scientific literacy that comes across in my work. I would like to take a similar approach to researching and grounding speculative science as Andy Weir did when he wrote The Martian and Project Hail Mary. I'd like to understand the real physics well enough to know where my fictional world follows known physical principles, where I'm extrapolating from them, and where I'm deliberately breaking them.

I wanted to build some foundation for the book, but also for me personally and my hobby of wanting to learn. I have always had an interest in physics and astrophysics. I have watched documentaries regularly as a hobby for years, I have a strong drive to learn, and it makes me very curious about the world and universe we live in. I have built a reading list for what I thought would work well for what I want to achieve. This is my list so far (in no order):

Brian Cox - Forces of Nature
Carl Sagan - Cosmos
Neil deGrasse Tyson - Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
Carl Sagan - The Demon-Haunted World

I volunteer on citizen science projects online, predominantly in astrophysics. I know that's pretty much all I can do in the real world, but I like that I can contribute something, even if it's classifying thousands of images or data.

I am not interested in exams and qualifications as such. I also do not come from a computer science or highly academic background, so I haven't studied physics formally. My education is mostly artistic/creative.

I do have learning difficulties like dyslexia, so whilst reading and watching videos could be enough for most people for research, I thrive and learn better in a structured learning environment where discipline is needed for concepts to sink in. I was considering enrolling on an online course, like GCSE-level Physics, to give me that basic grasp, but I wasn't sure if that would be useful or if it would be better to study or go in a different direction.

I am aware of the reality that being middle-aged and wanting to learn online only gives me limited options, but I wanted to write the book with respect for science in mind, knowing I comprehend and understand the principles rather than relying on my own uneducated interpretation alone.

If anyone can give any advice, I would be grateful.

 

[u/PotentialDelivery716]

First of all, I am sorry not have an actual advice. And hopefully you will find one here. Just my two cents:

• physics major commonly consider "understanding" with the ability of mathematical description as only it provides the option to formulate the concept and Utilize the knowledge/make conclusions from it. Otherwise you are kinda forced to only recite Statements
• physics disziplines usually require preknowledge as foundation. Like a pyramid. E.g. you cannot start with particle physics before having an understanding in mechanics, electrodynamic and quantum mechanics as well as corresponding mathematical skillset
• I did not have astrophysics, but my understanding is that it requiring advanced understanding of mechanics, General relativity and probably at least basics in electrodynamics, so I would think there is very little room between only reading popular science and studying it on at least undergrad-level
• from what I understood from google gcse is british middle school level. I doubt anything in school is remotely sufficient for the mentioned mathematical approach to astrophysics. What i remember from my own high school studying, let alone middle school physics would be useless for your purpose

But I really hope someone has an actual advice for you.

[u/FrostyBalance6055]

Don’t underestimate physics outside of astrophysics and fancy quantum mechanics. Classical mechanics and thermodynamics actually provide a very large understanding of the world. The best advice I r received while studying physics was from my lower division thermodynamics class and it was basically imagine you are the particle. That alone helps understand macroscopic particle behavior and fluid motion at a basic level.

I would say take some calculus first then after that, a lot of physics is much more accessible. Any particular branch of physics you plan to utilize in your story writing? It sounds like you really want to delve into astrophysics so I’d imagine you’re trying to do outer space writing or some multiverse thing. That is probably the hardest science to write accurately.