Some useful websites:
Physics Olympiad Hub - A comprehensive collection of problems and resources, including solutions to Jaan Kalda's renowned problem sets.
Jaan Kalda study guides for Physics Olympiads - A variety of problem sets and detailed study materials designed to prepare students for the IPhO and other Olympiads.
Introductory Textbooks
Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewitt – A foundational introduction to physics, emphasizing understanding over calculation.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Randall D. Knight – A comprehensive calculus-based textbook for deeper learning.
Error Analysis
Introduction to Error Analysis: The Study of Uncertainties in Physical Measurements by John R. Taylor – A clear and practical guide to understanding and analyzing uncertainties in experiments.
Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, and Particle Physics
Dreams of a Final Theory by Steven Weinberg – A thoughtful exploration of modern physics and its ultimate questions.
The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory by Brian Greene – A fascinating look into string theory and the universe’s mysteries.
The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality by Brian Greene – A journey through the fundamental nature of the universe.
Warped Passages: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe's Hidden Dimensions by Lisa Randall – An insightful exploration of theoretical physics and extra dimensions.
General Relativity from A to B by Robert Geroch – A beginner-friendly introduction to general relativity.
Spacetime Physics by Taylor and Wheeler – A well-regarded text for learning relativity concepts.
Quantum Mechanics in Simple Matrix Form by Thomas F. Jordan – A straightforward introduction to quantum mechanics.
Modern Physics by Kenneth S. Krane – An undergraduate-level exploration of 20th-century physics advancements.
Principles of Quantum Mechanics by R. Shankar – A detailed and accessible textbook on quantum mechanics.
Undergraduate-Level Textbooks
Introduction to Electrodynamics by David J. Griffiths – A classic text on electrodynamics for advanced students.
Electricity and Magnetism by Edward Purcell and David Morin – A calculus-based introduction to electromagnetism.
Classical Mechanics by David Morin – A deeper exploration of mechanics, including advanced problem-solving.
An Introduction to Mechanics by Daniel Kleppner and Robert Kolenkow – A rigorous and challenging text on mechanics.
The F=ma exam is the gateway to physics Olympiad participation and selects candidates for the US Physics team. The following resources are highly recommended for preparation:
Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewitt – A beginner-friendly book for understanding physics concepts.
Thinking Physics by Lewis Carroll Epstein – Hundreds of conceptual problems for practice, some related to mechanics.
Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics by David Morin – A crucial book for mastering mechanics and excelling in the F=ma exam.
Physics by Halliday, Resnick, and Krane – A comprehensive calculus-based text with challenging problems for advanced learners.
Practice Resources:
Solve all past F=ma exams available on the AAPT website.
Explore IsaacPhysics for additional problem sets.
These competitions require advanced preparation and problem-solving skills. Key resources include:
Physics by Halliday, Resnick, and Krane – A primary text for Olympiad preparation, covering all relevant topics.
Introduction to Classical Mechanics by David Morin – Offers insights into advanced mechanics, including topics like Lagrangian mechanics.
Electricity and Magnetism by Purcell and Morin – A detailed exploration of electromagnetism using calculus.
The Feynman Lectures on Physics by Richard P. Feynman – A brilliant resource for conceptual understanding, though lacking practice problems.
Practice Resources:
Solve past USAPhO exams available on the AAPT website.
Work through official IPhO problems from past Olympiads.
Access Jaan Kalda's resources for additional practice.
For additional practice, the following books are excellent:
Thinking Physics by Lewis Carroll Epstein – Conceptual problems for beginners and intermediate learners.
Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics by David Morin – Essential for mechanics and the F=ma exam.
200 Puzzling Physics Problems by Peter Gnadig – Advanced problems for USAPhO/IPhO preparation.
300 Creative Physics Problems with Solutions by Laszlo Holics – Challenging problems with detailed solutions.
Physics to a Degree by Thomas and Raine – A collection of intriguing problems for advanced learners.
Thinking Like a Physicist by Thompson – A problem-solving guide for competitive physics.