I am in High School but won't be able to take Physics until next year, but I'm teaching it to myself now and I love it. How many problems would you suggest I do for each topic to really learn everything? Do you have any tips in general for learning outside of the classroom?
I got my BS in physics and PhD in Medical Physics. It's an incredible way to see the world. Do as many problems as you can until you feel you've gotten that particular type. Doing too many will never hinder you. Follow your interests, but learn everything you can. You are lucky. The process is joyful. Outside of the classroom, I'd try similar practice exercises, but read the popular books that explain theory.
Dude, you got a reply from the founder about his day job. I like astrophysics even if I'm not smart enough to fully understand it. Read A Brief History of Time, The Elegant Universe, Michio Kaku is good at explaining high level concepts in abstract ways that laymen can understand. I ain't got much but pop sci books.
mk's awesome! And it really helps if you have some one you can talk to. Talking about physics is one of the best ways to really grasp the topics because there are typically a couple of ways in which you can solve a problem.
There are SO MANY great courses online that you should take advantage of. Check out what Stanford offers at iTunes University. Those are some of my favorites. Other places you can look to learn are The teaching company, which is not free, but has some really easy to understand, but relatively thorough lectures available. Also, Kahn academy, which is free, has some pretty straightforward lessons and tutoring in physics and math. Don't start with the quantum mechanics... you will build up to that, but also, don't be afraid to read about quantum theory and so called "laymen's" books on quantum physics: just make sure they are by a real scientist like Hawking or Kaku. Avoid woo-woo like Deepak Chopra. Take a good introduction to classical field theory and electro-magnitism, and try to learn calculous along the way. Don't be frightened by those who say you need to know all of pre-calc to get into calculous. While you will eventually need to know all of pre-calc, there is nothing that should keep you from learning both calc and pre-calc simultaneously. Just learn things as the problems present themselves. When you find them again in the classroom, you'll have already had some experience and it won't be as difficult. From one relentless auto-didact to another, Good luck!
I would definitely recommend focusing on problem solving and the basic math (Solving systems of equations, trigonometry, differential and integral calculus) as preparation for future physics learning. Important starting points are learning to draw free body diagrams, calculating the force of friction on inclined planes, and newton's laws. If you are beyond that already, I would recommend a firm grounding in Differential Equations. (The basis of 90% of classical physics and a good portion of quantum/relativistic physics up till group theory). Diff. Eq. gives you a peek into the nuts and bolts of physics that underlay the equations you are expected to memorize in early physics classes. If you are looking for a source of math problems and explanations on the basic concepts, there are many books available. You could purchase an older edition from Amazon (This is the one we used when I went to college, I paid $250 and now it's $15: http://www.amazon.com/University-Physics-Freedman-Francis-Weston/dp/0805391797/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436124796&sr=8-1&keywords=UniversityPhysics11th+Edition ) or you could look for Open Source alternatives like the one here: http://www.anselm.edu/internet/physics/cbphysics/index.html Good luck with your physics education!