Best “Complete Course” Free Physics Textbooks (All-in-One)

1. OpenStax Physics (Best Overall Choice)

Why it’s great:
OpenStax textbooks are professionally edited, visually clear, and designed to match standard university syllabi. They include hundreds of worked examples, practice problems, and real-world applications.

OpenStax College Physics (Algebra-Based)

• Covers: mechanics, fluids, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, waves, optics, and modern physics

• Best for: high school, pre-med, biology, and non-engineering students

• Link: https://openstax.org/details/books/college-physics

OpenStax University Physics (Calculus-Based, Volumes 1–3)

• Volume 1: Mechanics
  Motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotation, gravitation

• Volume 2: Electricity and Magnetism
  Electric fields, circuits, magnetism, induction

• Volume 3: Waves, Optics, and Modern Physics
  Oscillations, interference, diffraction, relativity, quantum basics

• Link: https://openstax.org/subjects/science
  (Look for University Physics Volumes 1–3)

Best for: Learners who want a single, consistent physics curriculum from start to finish.

2. The Feynman Lectures on Physics (Conceptual Classic)

Why it’s great:
Written by Nobel laureate Richard Feynman, this is one of the most famous physics texts ever. It focuses on why physics works, not just how to calculate answers.

• Style: deep intuition, unconventional explanations

• Best for: conceptual understanding alongside a standard textbook

• Not ideal as a first or only problem-solving book

Link: https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/

3. Physics LibreTexts (Free, Searchable Physics Library)

Why it’s great:
Physics LibreTexts is a massive, open “living library” of physics chapters written by educators worldwide.

• Strengths:

  • Multiple explanations of the same topic

  • Clear derivations and diagrams

  • Excellent for filling gaps or reviewing specific ideas

Link: https://phys.libretexts.org/

Best for: Quick refreshers, alternate explanations, and topic-by-topic study.

Best Free Physics Books by Topic

A. Classical Mechanics

(Motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotation)

1. OpenStax University Physics, Volume 1

• Level: Calculus-based

• Strengths:

  • Excellent structure for beginners

  • Clear free-body diagrams

  • Many worked examples and problems

• Covers:

  • Kinematics

  • Newton’s laws

  • Work and energy

  • Momentum and collisions

  • Rotation and gravitation

Link: https://openstax.org/subjects/science (University Physics Vol 1)

2. Benjamin Crowell — Newtonian Physics

• Style: very clear, conversational, intuition-focused

• Strengths:

  • Connects math directly to physical meaning

  • Friendly tone for self-learners

Link: https://www.lightandmatter.com/

3. MIT OpenCourseWare — Classical Mechanics

• Typical course: MIT 8.01

• Strengths:

  • Full lecture notes

  • Challenging problem sets

  • Excellent supplement to textbooks

Link: https://ocw.mit.edu/ (search “8.01 Classical Mechanics”)

4. Richard Fitzpatrick — Classical Mechanics

• Style: more rigorous and mathematical

• Strengths:

  • Bridges Newtonian mechanics to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods

Link: https://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching.html

Best for: Students transitioning beyond introductory mechanics.

B. Electricity and Magnetism (E&M)

1. OpenStax University Physics, Volume 2

• Strengths:

  • Careful, step-by-step development

  • Strong field diagrams and circuit examples

• Covers:

  • Electrostatics

  • Electric fields and potential

  • Capacitance and DC circuits

  • Magnetic fields

  • Faraday’s law and induction

Link: https://openstax.org/subjects/science (University Physics Vol 2)

2. Richard Fitzpatrick — Electricity and Magnetism

• Strengths:

  • Clear field-theory approach

  • Excellent mathematical development

Link: https://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching.html

3. Benjamin Crowell — Electricity and Magnetism

• Strengths:

  • Conceptual clarity

  • Very readable explanations

Link: https://www.lightandmatter.com/

4. MIT OpenCourseWare — Electricity & Magnetism

• Typical course: MIT 8.02

• Strengths:

  • Structured lectures and rigorous problem sets

Link: https://ocw.mit.edu/ (search “8.02 Electricity and Magnetism”)

C. Waves and Optics

(Oscillations, sound, interference, diffraction)

1. OpenStax University Physics, Volume 3

• Strengths:

  • Excellent visuals

  • Logical progression from oscillations to optics

• Covers:

  • Simple harmonic motion

  • Wave propagation

  • Standing waves

  • Interference and diffraction

  • Polarization and optical instruments

Link: https://openstax.org/subjects/science (University Physics Vol 3)

2. Benjamin Crowell — Waves

• Strengths:

  • Superb intuition-building

  • Clear explanations of superposition and resonance

Link: https://www.lightandmatter.com/

3. MIT OpenCourseWare — Waves and Vibrations

• Typical course: MIT 8.03

• Strengths:

  • More advanced, physics-major-level treatment

Link: https://ocw.mit.edu/ (search “8.03 Waves and Vibrations”)

4. Physics LibreTexts — Optics

• Strengths:

  • Multiple explanations of geometric and physical optics

Link: https://phys.libretexts.org/ (search “Optics”)

D. Introduction to Modern Physics

(Relativity, quantum physics, atoms, nuclei)

1. OpenStax University Physics, Volume 3 (Modern Physics Chapters)

• Strengths:

  • Gentle introduction to abstract ideas

  • Strong visuals and examples

• Covers:

  • Special relativity basics

  • Photons and wave-particle duality

  • Introductory quantum models

  • Atomic and nuclear physics

Link: https://openstax.org/subjects/science (University Physics Vol 3)

2. Albert Einstein — Relativity: The Special and the General Theory

• Status: Public domain

• Strengths:

  • Conceptual clarity

  • Minimal mathematics

Available via: https://www.gutenberg.org/ (search the title)

3. David Tong (Cambridge) — Free Lecture Notes

• Style: physics-major level

• Strengths:

  • Clear and rigorous explanations

  • Excellent first serious exposure to quantum mechanics

Link: https://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/lecture-notes/

4. MIT OpenCourseWare  Quantum Physics

• Courses:

  • MIT 8.04 Quantum Physics I

  • MIT 8.05 Quantum Physics II

Link: https://ocw.mit.edu/ (search “8.04 Quantum Physics”)

Suggested Learning Paths

Path 1: Beginner-Friendly (Low Frustration)

• OpenStax College Physics (algebra-based)
  or

• OpenStax University Physics Vol 1 (calculus-based)

• Add Benjamin Crowell for intuition

• Use Physics LibreTexts when explanations don’t click

Path 2: Physics-Major Style (More Rigorous)

• OpenStax University Physics Vol 1–3

• Add MIT OCW problem sets

• Add Fitzpatrick (mechanics & E&M)

• Add Tong (quantum mechanics)

  
  

Tips for Learning Effectively from Free Physics Books

• Solve problems early and often. Reading alone builds familiarity, not skill.

• Redraw diagrams yourself. Forces, fields, rays, and wave patterns become clearer when sketched.

• Use simulations. PhET simulations are excellent companions:
  https://phet.colorado.edu/

• Keep a concept notebook. For each chapter, write:

  • Key definitions

  • Core equations

  • One real-world application

    
    

Quick Reference: Best Single Picks by Topic

• Mechanics: OpenStax University Physics Vol 1

• Electricity & Magnetism: OpenStax University Physics Vol 2

• Waves & Optics: OpenStax University Physics Vol 3

• Modern Physics (Intro):
  OpenStax University Physics Vol 3 +
  Einstein (conceptual) or Tong (more rigorous)

With these resources, you can learn college-level physics from motion and fields to quantum ideas without spending a single dollar. The key is consistency: choose one main text, add one conceptual supplement, and practice regularly