[Physics] Physics for mathematicians

mathematical physicsresource-recommendations

How and from where does a mathematician learn physics from a mathematical stand point? I am reading the book by Spivak Elementary Mechanics from a mathematicians view point. The first couple of pages of Lecture 1 of the book summarizes what I intend by physics from a mathematical stand point. I wanted to find out what are the other good sources for other branches of physics.

Best Answer

You want the book by V.I. Arnold, Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics. It takes a very rigorous, axiomatic approach to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, and it should be accessible to, and enjoyable by, a broad spectrum of mathematicians.

For more details see this review by Ian Sneddon, which also covers Walter Thirring's A course in mathematical physics, vol. 1: Classical dynamical systems.