Where should I start learning advanced Physics?

For the basics I would say go through undergraduate physics. Of course you can just read physics text books but, you will have gaps in your training that are best answered by sitting in a class and asking question ot a professor. The math for basic quatum requires you to know calculus, differential equations and linear algebra. If one of these math backgrounds are missing you will be struggling. Lastly, from what several professor have told me through the years...if you don't understand quantum mechanics you are on your way to getting a better grasp of it because...no one really knows it. Good luck

For the basics I would say go through undergraduate physics. Of course you can just read physics text books but, you will have gaps in your training that are best answered by sitting in a class and asking question ot a professor. The math for basic quatum requires you to know calculus, differential equations and linear algebra. If one of these math backgrounds are missing you will be struggling. Lastly, from what several professor have told me through the years...if you don't understand quantum mechanics you are on your way to getting a better grasp of it because...no one really knows it. Good luck

If you have already taken basic physics and have a general idea of the concepts involved, I would recommend looking at an AP Physics Book and an Intro Calculus Book (whichever your school uses should be easy to find. If you have already taken, or are taking AP Physics then you probably know some of the basic calculus to be able to do simple physics. If you have done all this already, then I suggest you go onto any university's website and find the physics curriculum. It should be broken down from freshman to senior year which equates to easiest to hardest usually. You should be able to find certain class websites where the professors will usually post the books that they are required to use for that class. From there you should be able to find out some more advanced physics books. In order to learn the math, you can probably just get any college level calculus book to start off. It should have enough for you to learn for a while(basic calc, multivariable, vector, etc). Then if you get far enough and have a grasp on the material, you can branch off into differential equations and linear algebra. Physics and Math go directly hand in hand(as alot of math was created specifically to explain physics). Its very hard to learn one without knowing the other. I hope I have pointed you in the right direction. Learning physics is definitely worth it. It provides you with a unique understanding of how everything works.

Edit: Below is long I know... Just read it and think about the complexities! But to study Quantum Mechanics, I would suggest going into undergrad studies with a major in Physics and possibly a minor in Mathematics. You'll also need an excellent university that can teach you these things, so look for a university ranked high in those two fields. That's a long long long road you are wanting to undertake. First of all, you need to understand algebra. Then master trigonometric properties. Then to calculus(single and multivariable). then to maybe discrete structures depending on what physics ? not entirely certain. It would help to have a chemistry background too. Knowledge in the atom and elements and how various molecules are held together and how they interact... And as far as physics... Well, physics is a hybrid of how natural sciences behave mathematically with the world around us. Perhaps a slight knowledge in astronomy may help if you wish to learn about physics outside of the Earth. I mean, wow... I looked into this field, and I either figure that I'm not that smart or i'm not that dedicated to schoolwork to go into quantum mechanics. And in some fields of quantum mechanics/quantum physics, only a handful of people in the world can do the math to fully comprehend and understand what is going on. Just a thought to realize how complex this road is here... Take an ordinary object such as a basketball... There are reasons why the atoms and molecules stay together to allow the surface to maintain it's rigidity in various temperatures AND the fact that it is filled with air... And now you want to dribble it. What happens? The ball is in your hand and you throw it towards the ground! YOU are giving it a certain amount of energy to throw it down, PLUS it continues to fall to the ground because of gravity! The ball hits the ground and bounces back up to your hand! But what happened at the ground? the ball was smashed into a lesser volume at impact! The volume it went into is known by the dimensions of the ball, it's mass, the type of air within the ball, the atmospheric pressure and temperature, and the speed and acceleration at which you threw it down (might be missing a variable or two lol)! Now depending on the elasticity of the ball and all of that other stuff, the ball traveled back up into the air towards your hand while fighting gravity and air resistance! All the while, on the return trip back up, the ball comes out of the varied volume and returns to its normal state as you know it; a sphere! And it comes back to your hand and proceed to dribble the ball... But that means you had to resist its upward progress and overcome it eventually to send it back downward! Just think of all the math and science that goes into knowing every single aspect of why the basketball exists and why it does what it does while you dribble it!

Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/user/UMKC ^ Gor for the calculus playlist. And this: http://www.khanacademy.org/

If you have already taken basic physics and have a general idea of the concepts involved, I would recommend looking at an AP Physics Book and an Intro Calculus Book (whichever your school uses should be easy to find. If you have already taken, or are taking AP Physics then you probably know some of the basic calculus to be able to do simple physics. If you have done all this already, then I suggest you go onto any university's website and find the physics curriculum. It should be broken down from freshman to senior year which equates to easiest to hardest usually. You should be able to find certain class websites where the professors will usually post the books that they are required to use for that class. From there you should be able to find out some more advanced physics books. In order to learn the math, you can probably just get any college level calculus book to start off. It should have enough for you to learn for a while(basic calc, multivariable, vector, etc). Then if you get far enough and have a grasp on the material, you can branch off into differential equations and linear algebra. Physics and Math go directly hand in hand(as alot of math was created specifically to explain physics). Its very hard to learn one without knowing the other. I hope I have pointed you in the right direction. Learning physics is definitely worth it. It provides you with a unique understanding of how everything works.

Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/user/UMKC ^ Gor for the calculus playlist. And this: http://www.khanacademy.org/