Physics from Symmetry
by Jakob Schwichtenberg · first published 2015
8mentions
3recommended by
5HN commenters
2018–2025first – last mentioned
60% recommend40% neutral
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This is an excellent book on the subject by Jakob Schwichtenberg [1]. [1]Physics From Symmetry: http://physicsfromsymmetry.com/
on “Why is symmetry so important in particle physics?” ↗I like Physics from Symmetry by Jakob Schwichtenberg as an explanation of how spin arises from a modern understanding of physics. The book was written while the author was a Masters student, and so it is much closer to the way an…
on “Simple Rules ‘Bootstrap’ the Laws of Physics” ↗I'd recommend Physics From Symmetry by Jakob Schwichtenberg Also, (though I've not read it) this appears to be a longer, more detailed text in the same vein: Quantum Theory, Groups and Representations: An Introduction by Peter Woit This…
on “Gravity is a double copy of other forces” ↗…quaternions of norm 1, and SU(2) is important if you want to understand the Lorentz group and Poincare group, which represent the symmetries of spacetime and special relativity. Check out the text book Physics From Symmetry by Jakob Schwichtenberg if you would like an approach that derives modern physics primarily from algebra
on “Quaternions and spherical trigonometry” ↗http://nbodyphysics.com/blog/2017/06/12/on-being-the-dumbest... Somehow I doubt it! In any case, you are like me - doing engineering and software, while doing my physics as a hobby and loving it. I'm working on Physics from Symmetry. Definitely a 21st century book - not at all like the traditional development of the subject.
on “Ask HN: Physicists of HN, what are you working on these days?” ↗…comment in Morse and Feshbach's two volume tome that (paraphrasing) "At this point the casual reader may have difficulty distinguishing the forest from the trees." I've been working on Schwichtenberg's "Physics From Symmetry", which is covering the same ground. It is really terse. I think I'll take a look at Woit.
on “Woit’s Way: Quantum Theory, Groups and Representations [Book Review]” ↗also Physics from Symmetry spends 1/3 the book on lie theory passing through quaternions https://www.amazon.com/Physics-Symmetry-Undergraduate-Lectur...
on “Look, ma, no matrices” ↗…that you may want to avoid older books that use the older notation for it. I have heard great things about the book Gravitation, but I'm totally afraid of it, not ready to go there yet. Also check out Physics from Symmetry, that book looks amazing to me but I haven't read it yet, just flipped through the contents, but it might be exactly what you're after, since it discusses the math right before applying it to specific…
on “Ask HN: How do I learn math/physics in my thirties?” ↗