The Theoretical Minimum by Leonard Susskind: A Review and Guide
The Theoretical Minimum by Leonard Susskind: A Review
If you are interested in learning physics from one of the world's leading physicists and the father of string theory, then you should check out the series of books called The Theoretical Minimum by Leonard Susskind and George Hrabovsky. These books are not your typical popular science books that simplify and gloss over the details of physics. Instead, they are rigorous and comprehensive introductions to the core concepts and mathematical tools of classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, special relativity, general relativity, statistical mechanics, and cosmology.
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In this article, we will explain what the theoretical minimum is, why you should read these books, and how you can download the pdf files for free.
What is the theoretical minimum?
The concept of the theoretical minimum
The term "theoretical minimum" was coined by Susskind to describe the minimum amount of knowledge and skills that one needs to understand modern physics at a deeper level. It is not meant to be a complete or exhaustive curriculum, but rather a set of essential prerequisites that enable one to follow more advanced courses and research papers.
Susskind was inspired by the famous lectures by Richard Feynman, who also aimed to teach physics to a general audience without compromising on rigor and accuracy. However, Susskind realized that Feynman's lectures assumed a lot of background knowledge that most people do not have. Therefore, he decided to create his own series of lectures that would start from scratch and build up the foundations of physics step by step.
The series of books by Susskind and Hrabovsky
The books are based on the lectures that Susskind gave at Stanford University as part of his "Continuing Studies" program. He was joined by George Hrabovsky, a citizen-scientist and former president of Madison Area Science and Technology (MAST), who helped him write the books and provide exercises and solutions.
The books are written in a clear and engaging style, with plenty of examples, diagrams, and analogies. They also include exercises at the end of each chapter that test your understanding and challenge you to apply what you have learned. The books do not shy away from using mathematics, but they explain it in a way that is accessible and intuitive.
The series consists of six books so far, covering the following topics:
Classical Mechanics: The Theoretical Minimum (2014): This book covers the basic concepts and equations of motion, conservation laws, symmetries, Hamiltonian mechanics, central forces, planetary orbits, rigid bodies, rotating frames, Lagrangian mechanics, oscillations, chaos, and more.
Quantum Mechanics: The Theoretical Minimum (2014): This book covers the basic concepts and principles of quantum mechanics, such as wave functions, uncertainty principle, Schrödinger equation, probability amplitudes, superposition, measurement problem, entanglement, spin, angular momentum, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom, perturbation theory, scattering theory, and more.
Special Relativity and Classical Field Theory: The Theoretical Minimum (2017): This book covers the basic concepts and consequences of special relativity, such as time dilation, length contraction, Lorentz transformations, energy-momentum, mass-energy equivalence, Doppler effect, relativistic mechanics, electromagnetism, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, radiation, and more.
General Relativity and Cosmology: The Theoretical Minimum (2020): This book covers the basic concepts and implications of general relativity, such as curved spacetime, equivalence principle, gravitational redshift, gravitational lensing, gravitational waves, black holes, event horizons, singularity theorems, cosmological principle, Friedmann equations, big bang, inflation, dark matter, dark energy, and more.
Statistical Mechanics: The Theoretical Minimum (2021): This book covers the basic concepts and applications of statistical mechanics, such as entropy, temperature, Boltzmann distribution, partition function, canonical ensemble, microcanonical ensemble, grand canonical ensemble, ideal gas, heat capacity, phase transitions, Ising model, magnetism, Bose-Einstein condensation, Fermi-Dirac statistics, and more.
Cosmology: The Theoretical Minimum (2021): This book covers the basic concepts and observations of cosmology, such as Hubble's law, cosmic microwave background radiation, nucleosynthesis, cosmic inflation, baryogenesis, structure formation, galaxy formation and evolution, large-scale structure of the universe, dark matter and dark energy models, and more.
Why should you read the theoretical minimum?
The benefits of learning physics from the masters
Learning physics from the books by Susskind and Hrabovsky is not only rewarding but also fun. You will gain a deeper understanding of how nature works at the most fundamental level. You will also develop your logical thinking and problem-solving skills. You will be able to appreciate the beauty and elegance of physics and mathematics. You will also be able to follow the latest developments and discoveries in physics and cosmology.
Moreover, you will learn from one of the best teachers in the field. Susskind is not only a brilliant physicist but also a passionate educator. He has a knack for explaining complex ideas in simple and intuitive ways. He also injects humor and personality into his lectures and books. He makes physics accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
The topics covered in each book
The books cover a wide range of topics that span the entire spectrum of physics. You will learn about the classical laws of motion that govern the macroscopic world. You will learn about the quantum phenomena that govern the microscopic world. You will learn about the relativistic effects that arise when objects move at high speeds or in strong gravitational fields. You will learn about the statistical principles that describe the behavior of large numbers of particles. You will learn about the origin and evolution of the universe and its contents.
The books are also up to date with the current research and experiments in physics and cosmology. You will learn about the latest discoveries and challenges in these fields. You will learn about the mysteries and puzzles that remain unsolved. You will also learn about the possible future directions and implications of physics and cosmology.
How can you download the theoretical minimum pdf for free?
The legal and ethical issues of downloading books for free
Before you decide to download the pdf files of these books for free, you should consider the legal and ethical issues involved. Downloading books for free without permission from the authors or publishers is illegal in most countries. It is also unethical because it deprives them of their rightful income and recognition for their hard work and creativity.
If you want to support the authors and publishers of these books, you should buy them from legitimate sources such as Amazon or other online or offline bookstores. By doing so, you will not only get high-quality copies of these books but also help them continue producing more excellent books in the future.
The sources where you can find the pdf files
If you still want to download the pdf files of these books for free despite the legal and ethical issues involved, you should be careful about where you get them from. There are many websites that claim to offer free pdf downloads of these books but they may contain viruses or malware that can harm your computer or device. They may also contain inaccurate or incomplete versions of these books that can confuse or mislead you.
One possible source where you can find some of these pdf files is archive.org, which is a non-profit library that hosts millions of free books, movies, music, software, and more. However, you should note that not all of these pdf files are available on this website. For example, 71b2f0854b