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Best Physics Books

Unlock the secrets of the universe with the most celebrated physics books. Featuring works that sparked aha moments, this list aggregates the most frequently suggested titles across scholarly science communities.

Recommendations from 48 articles, Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Bill Clinton and 49 others.
80 books on the list
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The Feynman Lectures on Physics book cover
The Feynman Lectures on Physics
The Millenium Edition, Vol. 1
Richard P. Feynman - 2006-01-01 (first published in 1964)
Goodreads Rating
Explore physics through the eyes of Richard Feynman with these timeless and essential lectures. From the basics of Newtonian physics to the complexities of general relativity and quantum mechanics, Feynman's clear exposition and deep insights make this a must-read for anyone interested in the field. These definitive and introductory lectures are not only great for students of physics, but for anyone seeking an inimitable introduction to the world of physics.
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Bill Gates
Brief History of Time book cover
Brief History of Time
From the Big Bang to Black Holes
Stephen Hawking - 1998-09-01 (first published in 1988)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the mysteries of the universe with this acclaimed masterpiece by a celebrated physicist. From the origins of time to the boundaries of the universe, delve into the secrets of space and time. Discover the great theories of the cosmos from Newton to Einstein, and explore the wonders of the Big Bang, black holes, and more. Written in clear and concise language, this book offers a fascinating and accessible introduction to the universe and its wonders. This new edition includes exciting updates from the author, along with a companion app, Stephen Hawking's Pocket Universe.
Fundamentals of Physics book cover
Fundamentals of Physics
David Halliday - 2004-06-16 (first published in 2013)
Goodreads Rating
This physics textbook has been updated with new features and additions, including multimedia presentations of material and extensive assessment questions. It offers math review content and a self-study module for more in-depth review. The end-of-chapter problems are considered the best in the industry.
The Elegant Universe book cover
The Elegant Universe
Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory
Brian Greene - 2010-10-11 (first published in 1999)
Goodreads Rating
This fascinating book by a leading string theorist explores the mysteries of the universe, revealing its complex fabric of eleven dimensions and the vibrations of energy that generate all matter. With engaging prose, the book makes even the most esoteric scientific concepts accessible and thoroughly entertaining, offering a new understanding of the world around us.
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics book cover
Seven Brief Lessons on Physics
Carlo Rovelli - 2016-03-01 (first published in 2014)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the wonders of modern physics in just under one hundred pages with Seven Brief Lessons. Written by award-winning physicist Carlo Rovelli, this book offers a playful and engaging introduction to quantum mechanics, general relativity, gravity, black holes, and more. Discover the complexity of the universe and our place in it, as Rovelli takes readers to the edges of our knowledge and into the workings of our minds. Experience the joy of discovery and the beauty of the unknown with this major bestseller.
University Physics with Modern Physics book cover
University Physics with Modern Physics
Hugh D. Young - 2003-01-01 (first published in 1949)
Goodreads Rating
This university physics textbook emphasizes fundamental principles and how to apply them. It offers a clear and thorough narrative, as well as broad, deep, and thoughtful sets of worked examples that provide students with key tools for developing both conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills. With a focus on visual learning and new problem types, the Fourteenth Edition adds new features influenced by education research to teach the skills needed by today's students. Instructors can also use the MasteringPhysics® online homework, tutorial, and assessment system to engage students before, during, and after class with powerful content.
Fundamentals of Physics book cover
Fundamentals of Physics
Mechanics, Relativity, and Thermodynamics (The Open Yale Courses Series)
R. Shankar - 2014-03-25
Goodreads Rating
This engaging book covers the fundamentals of physics, from Galileo's and Newton's discoveries to the revolutionary ideas of relativity and quantum mechanics. Based on an innovative online course by a well-known physicist and educator, it provides a solid foundation in the principles and methods of physics. Ideal for college-level students of physics, chemistry, and engineering, and for general readers interested in science. Includes instructor resources and sample exams.
Basic Physics book cover
Basic Physics
A Self-Teaching Guide
Karl F. Kuhn - 1996-01-01
Goodreads Rating
Master the fundamentals of physics with this practical, complete, and easy-to-use guide. This book makes learning key concepts a pleasure, not a chore- even if you don't consider yourself a "science" person. Whether you need help in a course, want to review the basics for an exam, or simply have always been curious about physical phenomena, this book is for you! Featuring a helpful question-and-answer format and end-of-chapter self-tests, this fully up-to-date edition of Basic Physics lets you work at your own pace and reinforces what you learn.
Physics of the Impossible book cover
Physics of the Impossible
A Scientific Exploration of the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation and Time Travel
Michio Kaku - 2008-03-11
Goodreads Rating
Explore the fascinating science behind seemingly impossible technologies, from invisibility cloaks to teleportation. Michio Kaku ranks these futuristic technologies by category and explains the science behind them, using the world of science fiction to explore the limits of the laws of physics. With engaging storytelling and compelling explanations, Physics of the Impossible takes readers on an unforgettable scientific adventure.
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by David J. Griffiths
The Physics Book by D.K. Publishing
Problems in General Physics by I. E. Irodov
Cosmos by Carl Sagan
"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" by Richard P. Feynman
Introduction to Electrodynamics by David J. Griffiths
The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene
Physics by Douglas Giancoli
Brief Answers To The Big Questions by Stephen Hawking
Something Deeply Hidden by Sean Carroll
Relativity by Albert Einstein
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasseTyson
Electricity and Magnetism by Edward M. Purcell
The Theoretical Minimum by Leonard Susskind
Principles of Quantum Mechanics by R. Shankar
Science For Everyone by S. S. Krotov
Quantum Physics for Beginners by Carl J. Pratt
Introduction to Classical Mechanics With Problems and Solutions by David Morin
How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog by Orzel
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Physics by Sterling Education
The Quantum World by Kenneth W. Ford
Fundamentals of Physics, Volume 2 by David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker
The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch
QED by Richard P. Feynman
Black Holes and Time Warps by Kip S. Thorne
A Briefer History of Time by Stephen Hawking
The Fabric of Reality by David Deutsch
Our Mathematical Universe by Max Tegmark
Concepts of Physics by H. C. Verma
Three Roads To Quantum Gravity by Lee Smolin
The Road to Reality by Roger Penrose
Quantum Mechanics by Leonard Susskind
The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking
The Trouble With Physics by Lee Smolin
Quantum Man by Lawrence M. Krauss
Physics I for Dummies by Steven Holzner
Principles of Physics by David Halliday
Physics Essentials for Dummies by Steven Holzner
The New Quantum Universe by Tony Hey, Patrick Walters
Physics by Robert Resnick
The Optics Of Ibn Al Haytham by Ibn Al-Haytham
5 Steps to a 5 by Greg Jacobs
Modern Physics by Kenneth S. Krane
Time Reborn by Lee Smolin
The Emperor's New Mind by Roger Penrose
The 4 Percent Universe by Richard Panek
A New Kind of Science by Stephen Wolfram
Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus)
The Fifth Essence by Lawrence M. Krauss
Quantum Aspects of Life by Derek Abbott
Until the End of Time by Brian Greene
The Character of Physical Law, with new foreword by Richard Feynman
What If? by Randall Munroe
The Disordered Cosmos by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
The Hidden Reality by Brian Greene
The God Particle by Leon Lederman
Basic Physics by Karl F. Kuhn, Frank Noschese
GRB A Textbook of Physical Chemistry for Competitions 2nd Year Programme by O. P. Tandon, A. S. Singh
The Variational Principles of Mechanics by Cornelius Lanczos
An Introduction to Mechanics by Daniel Kleppner
Problems and Solutions in Physics for IIT JEE - Vol. 1 by Shashi Bhushan Tiwari
Concise Inorganic Chemistry by J. D. Lee
Organic Chemistry 3rd Third Edition by Robert Neilson Boyd Robert Thornton Morrison
Concept of Physics by H.C Verma Part - II - Session 2022-23 by H. C. Verma
Fundamentals of Physics by Pradeep Jethwa
A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss
My Inventions by Nikola Tesla
College Physics by Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus)
Understanding Physics JEE Main and Advanced Waves and Thermodynamics 2023-24 by DC Pandey
CONCISE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY 5/E by J. D. Lee