I love science and everything about it fascinates me. Physics is one science that I’ve had no formal education in. I’ve taken biology and chemistry classes throughout high school, but I’ve never taken physics. Anything I know about it is from YouTube. I understand that physics involves a lot of math and can be complicated to understand at times. This being said, however, is it possible to teach myself physics with a college textbook and YouTube videos? Or should I take a course in college and have the professional guidance of an instructor? I prefer learning on my own and self-teaching over taking a formal class, so should I just teach myself physics? Or will I be lost the entire time? I am very determined to learn everything, from Newtonian laws of motion all the way to quantum mechanics, and I’m just wondering what the best way to do it would be. Thank you!
Is it possible? yes, most anything is possible
Is it probable that you will master the subject and related labs with no major knowledge gaps? I’d say it is unlikely
I would take a class.
The best way? With a class. Yes you can learn basic mechanics through YouTube, but more advanced topics, will also require knowledge of multivariable calc and linear algebra,may be a struggle.
Take the class. Selective colleges want to see it on your transcript if you’re still in (or awaiting) the application stage.
That shouldn’t discourage you from some self studying. If you are interested in a topic or want to do your absolute best in the class, go on and read ahead. Enhance what you will study and learn in the class rather than try to replace the class itself.
It’s certainly possible, though I wouldn’t recommend it. Why would you avoid taking advantage of a dedicated instructor in an area of great interest and instead try it on your own while taking courses of less interest, presumably, in person?
Having said that, MIT’s Opencourseware has 75 Physics courses available, from introductory Mechanics through graduate-level Relativity and String Theory. This provides lectures/real-person teaching, with problem sets, though you can’t ask questions or attend office hours.
You likely need Calculus under your belt for an intro college Physics class. If you have that, you’re all set. I suspect there are intro High School level physics class available elsewhere as a start, if algebra-based physics is the starting point - AP Physics 1 and 2, for example.
Take the class! Many universities expect students to have formally taken chem, bio, and physics in a class.
If you are in HS, take Physics.
If you have just graduated, take it in college.