Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems

Book Description

This best-selling classical mechanics text, written for the advanced undergraduate one- or two-semester course, provides a complete account of the classical mechanics of particles, systems of particles, and rigid bodies. Vector calculus is used extensively to explore topics.The Lagrangian formulation of mechanics is introduced early to show its powerful problem solving ability.. Modern notation and terminology are used throughout in support of the text's objective: to facilitate students' transition to advanced physics and the mathematical formalism needed for the quantum theory of physics. CLASSICAL DYNAMICS OF PARTICLES AND SYSTEMS can easily be used for a one- or two-semester course, depending on the instructor's choice of topics.

Customer Reviews:

I doubt students using this text can tackle dynamics.......2007-04-28

I doubt students using this text will be as capable in tackling dynamics problems as one would assume. Give the Physics student fed on a regular diet of this book one of those swirling, mechanical-arm problems and they'll probably be dead in the waters. This is probably one of those books that create the illusion of mastery rather than develop real skills.
Springer has a real good series on classical mechanics nowadays. That's my tip.
Disclaimer: gave up on this book and never really used it, because I think it sucks and life is too short.

worst textbook I ever had.......2007-02-03

This book is one of the reasons why I am now a math phd student, rather than a physics phd student. Unfortunately, physics departments stick to the same awful books, when they really ought to know better. It doesn't matter how much math you know--I was a senior math major. You can follow everything that is written in this book and still not learn much because the book hardly contains any real knowledge. Very little physical insight will be found here, unless you think about it for yourself and come up with your own explanations. The idea of actually understanding anything seems to be completely missing. The problems are often tedious, involving excessive computations (not that some of that isn't appropriate), with a few exceptions. Not a good textbook or reference. If you don't at least question this book, you will miss out, big time--I promise.

If you have the misfortune of having this as a text, please, at least try reading something else. Feynman's lectures cover some of the material at an elementary level. V. I. Arnold's Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics might be worth taking a look at, although it requires some mathematical sophistication for a full appreciation.

This book is a real dissaster!!!.......2007-01-29

I used this book for Classical Mechanics and Classical Dynamics, and was a complete waste of time and money, the explanation of the topics is very superficial, and the mathematics are very poorly. However, the book is well organized, because clearly it develop a line of thought that an undergraduated student can follow, nonetheless the develop of this line of thought is a real dissaster. In conclusion, please look for another book, don't buy this piece of sh... Sorry, but I'm really dissapointed with this book. I had to buy another five books to complete what at last is the real classical dynamics.

P.S.: Beg your pardon if there is any grammar error, I'm not a native English Speaker.

Know's its place.......2006-09-02

This semester is my first in grad school and we're starting into Goldstein and I'm using Marion for review and backfill. The really negative opinions on this page are over done. AND so are the really positive reviews.
Overall the book is just great for an undergrad who won't be going on to the PhD or masters. But once you're in one of these programs you may find yourself reaching for it to make sure you've got your basics covered.
Hopefully Thornton will upgrade the book and not dumb it down as time goes on. A layered approach usually works.

A shame..........2006-04-29

People who read this book carefully will find that many of the examples in the book contain flawed reasoning. The sloppy logic often leads one to understand certain concepts in a wrong way. The book does have lots of long-winded mathematical derivations, but they don't really add to the reader's physical insight. (eg. in chapter 11, some simple linear algebra that can be done in three lines are instead derived in pages of summations and index swap)
This book is a disgrace to the teaching of physics. Its tedious, sometimes illegitimate algebra spoils the elegance of classical mechanics. Compare it with Landau, and you will see the point.

Mathematics of Classical and Quantum Physics

Average customer rating:

Excellent math reference for physicists
Great Physical Mathematics
astonishing!
The real deal.
Dated but a Great Reference

Mathematics of Classical and Quantum Physics
Frederick W. Byron , and Robert W. Fuller
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Mathematics for Physicists (Dover Books on Mathematics)
Quantum Theory
Quantum Mechanics (Physics)
Calculus of Variations
Principles of Quantum Mechanics

ASIN: 048667164X

Book Description

Well-organized text designed to complement graduate-level physics texts in classical mechanics, electricity, magnetism, and quantum mechanics. Topics include theory of vector spaces, analytic function theory, Green's function method of solving differential and partial differential equations, theory of groups, more. Many problems, suggestions for further reading.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent math reference for physicists.......2007-08-06

As the title says, it's one of the best books for mathematics in physics. Not simple at first glance (not indicated for first students, I guess), but good to review some math...

Great Physical Mathematics.......2007-07-31

Great mathematical physics book. I bought it as a supplement text for a mathematical physics course as well as help in quantum physics course. Got me through a lot of Quantum homeworks. I still use this book as a reference for math and physics concepts. The ordering of the book is a little weird and skips the some of the basic concepts in linear algebra but explores a wide variety of other topics including Green Functions, Cauchy-Riemann, Fourier analysis and transforms, Dirac notation, ect. At the end of topic the book works through examples. A must have for physicist, engineers, and mathematicians.

astonishing!.......2007-06-08

this book chose the best way to convey the mathematics behind a physical idea just by proving it through the mathematics involved . With that , one has a lucid idea about the language of physical laws . I can simply assure anybody who wants to buy this book that it is worthy .

The real deal........2007-05-16

Over my head, but clearly a solid rung in the ladder for those who are capable of mastering quantum physics. Not that I couldn't - it would just take 10-20 years that I don't have.

Dated but a Great Reference.......2007-03-20

There's hardly anything in this book (two volumes bound as one) that you won't find of use sometime in your career as a physicist or engineer. I especially liked the authors' lucid treatment of Green's functions, a subject that for some reason keeps escaping my aging mind. Basically an undergraduate text but can also be used as a beginning graduate reference.

Appearance and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Physics

Average customer rating:

Excellent in its intended capacity as introduction...
very good up to page 140 then thumbs down

Appearance and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Physics
Peter Kosso
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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A Historical Introduction to the Philosophy of Science (OPUS)
Representing and Intervening: Introductory Topics in the Philosophy of Natural Science
The Ghost in the Atom: A Discussion of the Mysteries of Quantum Physics (Canto)
The Mystery of the Quantum World, Second Edition
Scientific Reasoning: The Bayesian Approach

ASIN: 0195115155

Book Description

Appearance and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Physics addresses quantum mechanics and relativity and their philosophical implications, focusing on whether these theories of modern physics can help us know nature as it really is, or only as it appears to us. The author clearly explains the foundational concepts and principles of both quantum mechanics and relativity and then uses them to argue that we can know more than mere appearances, and that we can know to some extent the way things really are. He argues that modern physics gives us reason to believe that we can know some things about the objective, real world, but he also acknowledges that we cannot know everything, which results in a position he calls "realistic realism." This book is not a survey of possible philosophical interpretations of modern physics, nor does it leap from a caricature of the physics to some wildly alarming metaphysics. Instead, it is careful with the physics and true to the evidence in arriving at its own realistic conclusions. It presents the physics without mathematics, and makes extensive use of diagrams and analogies to explain important ideas. Engaging and accessible, Appearance and Reality serves as an ideal introduction for anyone interested in the intersection of philosophy and physics, including students in philosophy of physics and philosophy of science courses.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent in its intended capacity as introduction..........2000-03-14

I would imagine that the factor pivotal to appreciation of this book is the reader's stage of understanding of the issues discussed within this book.

Particulaly impressive was the conciseness and clearness of the explanations of both relativity and quantum mechanics, two subjects that I would imagine can be notoriously difficult to deal with when ill explained. Aside from aformentioned technicalities regarding quantum physics, perhaps the author could may have spent more time considering the epistemological issue of the very validity of, in particurlar relativity, the 'foundations of modern physics discussed'. They seemed briefly considered, yet tossed aside it seems due to the author's attitude that the apparent current non-existence of what may eventually supercede the areas of physics in question. So, basically, the book was themed upon evaluating reality using the best tools we have at this moment to evaluate what constitutes it.

None the less, as an indication of the perspective physics can provide as to the very nature of reality and existence, this book can be invaluable.

very good up to page 140 then thumbs down.......1999-07-14

Good overview of the special and general theory of relativity as well as quantum mechanics. No equations are used and the author is able to demonstrate these ideas very well.

However the author bias becomes very clear as he explains Bell's theorem . The author points out that no local hidden variable theory can explain the results presented by quantum mechanics. He seems to miss the point that quantum mechanics is NONLOCAL with or without hidden variables . He clearly is in the copenhagen camp but stresses that popular publications on the subject are incorrect in concluding that everything is indeterminate, after all, things such as mass,charge etc. are determinate.

The author seems to accept "in stride" the nonlocality in the copenhagen interpetation and then uses nonlocality as the biggest argument against the deBroglie-Bohm pilot wave interpetation stating that it is a "blatant" violation of the special theory of relativity. Apparently the instant collapse of the second wave function when the first is measured in EPR is more realistic in his view. He then corrects himself and states that it is really not a violation of the special theory "empirically".

These kind of inconsistencies and contradictions are rampant after page 140. In the end the best critisism the author could level at the Bohm interpetation is that it is "epistimological anti realism"

Book Description

This book is an introduction to a new rapidly developing theory of quantum computing. It begins with the basics of classical theory of computation: Turing machines, Boolean circuits, parallel algorithms, probabilistic computation, NP-complete problems, and the idea of complexity of an algorithm. The second part of the book provides an exposition of quantum computation theory. It starts with the introduction of general quantum formalism (pure states, density matrices, and superoperators), universal gate sets and approximation theorems. Then the authors study various quantum computation algorithms: Grover's algorithm, Shor's factoring algorithm, and the Abelian hidden subgroup problem. In concluding sections, several related topics are discussed (parallel quantum computation, a quantum analog of NP-completeness, and quantum error-correcting codes).

Rapid development of quantum computing started in 1994 with a stunning suggestion by Peter Shor to use quantum computation for factoring large numbers--an extremely difficult and time-consuming problem when using a conventional computer. Shor's result spawned a burst of activity in designing new algorithms and in attempting to actually build quantum computers. Currently, the progress is much more significant in the former: A sound theoretical basis of quantum computing is under development and many algorithms have been suggested.

In this concise text, the authors provide solid foundations to the theory--in particular, a careful analysis of the quantum circuit model--and cover selected topics in depth. Included are a complete proof of the Solovay-Kitaev theorem with accurate algorithm complexity bounds, approximation of unitary operators by circuits of doubly logarithmic depth. Among other interesting topics are toric codes and their relation to the anyon approach to quantum computing.

Customer Reviews:

A clear, concise exposition.......2007-04-09

I started off learning Quantum Computation and Quantum Information by reading Nielsen and Chuang's book in order to do research in my junior year on quantum cyptography. Despite the completeness and popularity of that book, it did not exhibit enough explanation and insights for me to be truly satisfied that quantum computation will truly take flight one day to be implementable in place of classical computation.

Recently, in my preparation for my qualifying exam in Quantum information at MIT, I commenced reading this book. The feeling was like drinking a long cool sip of water after a 10 mile run. In particular, I really like the mathematical rigor of the writers. I have known Kitaev as a clear and careful presentator while I was at CalTech as an undergrad, and this is clearly reflected in his book. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone interested in Quantum computing and quantum information, professionally or amateurishly to buy this book (and no, I was not bribed to give this review in order to pass my quals!).

Complexity of algorithms........2002-08-31

The book covers classical and quantum algorithms;-- of the 250 or so, pages of text, roughly the first 50 pages are "classical", the rest quantum;-- and indeed the aim of the book is to teach the wonders of the qubit-algorithms. While other books, such as Nielsen-Chuang, serve as (more or less)comprehensive references, the present book (by Kitaev et al) is focussed on complexity. The mathematical prerequisits are minimal, but a reader with some understanding of basic ideas from CS, and from quantum theory (at the level of ch 1 in Nielsen-Chuang), will get more out of Kitaev et al. The book is a translation of a Russian 1999 original, but it is really well done, and nicely updated;-- for example, a handy appendix was added, covering elementary math terms that are used.
The book does a great job in explaining the fundamentals, both at the level of the *intuitive ideas*, as well as the mathematical proofs. The big question is why some qubit-algorithms (such as P Shor's factoring algorithm), are a lot better than classical counterparts(for example polynomial vs exponential), and a reader comes away with a good understanding of this in the end.

Bose-Einstein Condensation (The International Series of Monographs on Physics)

Average customer rating:

Concise slick book. Good but not great.

Bose-Einstein Condensation (The International Series of Monographs on Physics)
L. Pitaevskii , and S. Stringari
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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BoseEinstein Condensation in Dilute Gases
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Quantum Optics

ASIN: 0198507194

Book Description

The book is an introductory text to the physics of Bose-Einstein condensation. This phenomenon, first predicted by Einstein in 1925, has been realized experimentally in 1995 in a remarkable series of experiments whose importance has been recognized by the award of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physics. The condensate is actually a new state of matter, where quantum-mechanical wave functions of atoms behave as coherent matter waves in the same way as coherent light waves in the case of a laser. The authors provide a theoretical presentation of the main concepts underlying the physics of dilute atomic gases in conditions of extremely low temperatures where quantum effects play a crucial role. The main effort is devoted to discussion of the relevant theoretical aspects exhibited by these systems, such as the concept of order parameter, long range order, superfluidity and coherence. The mathematical formalism is presented in a form convenient for practical use. The book develops the theory of Bose gases starting from the pioneering Bogoliubov approach and gives special emphasis to the new physical features exhibited by non-uniform gases which are produced in the recent experiments with magnetic and optical traps. These features include the determination of the equilibrium profiles, the collective oscillations, the mechanism of the expansion of the gas after releasing the trap, the interference patterns obtained by overlapping two condensates, the rotational properties revealing the effects of superfluidity (quantized vortices, behaviour of the moment of inertia), the Josephson-like phenomena associated with the coherence of the phase, the beyond mean field phenomena exhibited by quantum gases in conditions of reduced dimensionality (1D and 2D) etc. The book also discusses the analogies and differences with the physics of "classical" superfluids like liquid helium and introduces some of the major features of trapped Fermi gases at low temperature, pointing out the consequences of superfluidity.

Customer Reviews:

Concise slick book. Good but not great. .......2005-03-07

This is not an easy book to read. It starts off with field theory and assumes a lot of knowledge, especially from Landau's books on fluid mechanics and statitstical physics. The format of the writing is concise, almost journal publication style. Chapter 14 on angular momentum and vortices is very slick and hard to follow. Chapter's 7 and 8 on response theory and 4He introduce a lot of notation and constructs without definition or motivation. Their discussion of mean field theory in BEC, derivation of the Gross-Pitaevskii from the operator formalism, and discussion of Fermi gases is clearer than in the BEC book by Pethick and Smith. There is also a discussion of optical lattices and low dimensions that is not discussed in Pethick and Smith. The other standard topics such as dynamics of a BEC in a harmonic trap are covered better in Pethick and Smith. Cooling is not discussed in this book.

Average customer rating:

From the clouds to the ground
A Wonderful Overview
a truly beautiful mind :)
Nice
Spin: a beautiful history of Quantum Mechanics

The Story of Spin
Sin-itiro Tomonaga
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Trouble With Physics: The Rise of String Theory, The Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next
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ASIN: 0226807940

Book Description

All atomic particles have a particular "spin," analogous to the earth's rotation on its axis. The quantum mechanical reality underlying spin is complex and still poorly understood. Sin-itiro Tomonaga's The Story of Spin remains the most complete and accessible treatment of spin, and is now available in English translation. Tomonaga tells the tale of the pioneers of physics and their difficult journey toward an understanding of the nature of spin and its relationship to statistics. His clear unfolding of the tale of spin is invaluable to students of physics, chemistry, and astronomy, and his description of the historical development of spin will interest historians and philosophers of science.

"This piece of the history of physics will provide excellent and exciting reading. . . . It also provides the personal touch of an expert in the field that is so often lacking in the physics literature. I recommend it very highly."—Fritz Rohrlich, Physics Today

Sin-itiro Tomonaga was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1965.

Customer Reviews:

From the clouds to the ground.......2007-03-08

A story about the hardships involved in the beginning of the 1900s with the birth of Quantum Mechanics. As a physicist one only hears about the great physicists in text books with theory's, experiments, and equations named after them. One even wonders if these scientists were humans or superhumans because colleagues speak of them so 'godly'. Tomonaga brings these great physicists 'down' to earth and describes the atmosphere at the time of incredible struggle. He brings to the forefront the pains the scientists went through, the frictions between mentor and apprentice, the battle to look for a pattern in the data, and the incredible enlightenment accompanied by the resolution of a problem.

This story is not simply of spin. It is also about LIFE, finding meaning in the struggle. Tomonaga spells out for you the hardships involved for every scientist working on problems; thinking outside the box, the everlasting obstacle. But it is in this where nature speaks truth as Tomonaga describes.

For scientists and laypeople alike, this story is about people trying to figure out nature, quantum nature. The scientists are not superhumans, filled with the spirits or god(s). Real people who really struggled, who cried and cursed to find a solution.

A great book about the great human stuggle written by one who solved a great problem.

A Wonderful Overview.......2006-04-26

This is a series of twelve lectures of the physics of the spin angular momentum, and essentially quantum mechanical notion allied only metaphorically to the macroscopic world. Not, perhaps, in all its implications-the theory of ferromagnetism gets short shrift- but in its essential physical aspects.

The topics include spectroscopy, Thomas precession (which one of my undergraduate professors could never fully believe), relativistic quantum mechanics, and statistical physics. It's all very rewarding.

Expounding on "the wide range of physics with varying degrees of difficulty" that understanding spin requires, the translator's preface quotes the Feynman Lectures, "It appears to be one of the few places in physics where there is a rule which can be stated very simply, but for which no one has found a simple and easy explanation. The explanation is deep down in relativistic quantum mechanics. This probably means that we do not have a complete understanding of the fundamental principle involved." The translator, Takeshi Oka, is a professor at the Enrico Fermi Institute at the University of Chicago, and the introduction is from 1996. We can trust his assessment of the situation and conjecture that it probably hasn't changed much since then.

The approach is collegial rather than academic and to anyone with a modest physics or mathematics background (e.g., someone with physics minor or an elementary understanding of vectors and differential equations), the treatments should be sufficiently accessible to use as an introduction. For an educated reader with no mathematical background, I think only lectures 9 and 11 will be a total wash, although another six will be rough going (but. I'd hope, rewarding).

Although the lectures aren't overly mathematical, at least in the sense that a physicist would use the term, the lectures contain mathematics. Some equations are shown, others swiftly derived and one or two proofs are introduced. Many times, Tomonaga introduces ideas to explain why a particular aspect of the mathematics, i.e., spinors, was needed or created. The intuitive descriptions of the mathematics and intimate explanations of how ideas were derived are invaluable for understanding the nature of spin.

a truly beautiful mind :).......2005-12-31

Mr. Tomonaga deserves that expression more than others because of his sensitivity and sweetness (if such things can be said about physicists ;) .. the book speaks for itself and is a 'must read' for anyone interested in physics or the history of physics :) enuf said ;)

Nice.......2003-03-04

Although you can find the same story in other sources, this one is definitely a time-saving reading. The informal style is a plus for those who are not familiar with quantum theory.

Spin: a beautiful history of Quantum Mechanics.......2002-04-29

This is one of my favourite physics books. I have always had difficulties understanding the nature of spin and this book explains it with unsurpassable style. There are so many aspects to spin that it requires the brilliant exposition of someone like Tomonaga to unpack all its subtleties: spin is not simply the self-rotation of the electron, it is also a subtle property of isotropic space. As well, spin is at the heart of particle statistics in quantum field theory. In nuclear physics, the concept of spin was also coopted into a description of iso-tropic space! Not only does Tomonaga describe the theoretical aspects of spin, but he patiently recounts the breakthough (now obscure) experiments that measured it. Some of the highlights of the book include an discussion of the nature of vectors and tensors and an immensely readable history of second quantisation that leads to quantum field theory.

It is interesting to contrast Tomanaga's style with the other 2 physicists who shared the Nobel prize in electrodynamics with him. From the folksy iconoclasm of Richard Feynman to the brutal formalistic abstraction of Julian Schwinger (who broke the back of Physical Review with his third paper on electrodynamics which is one of the most equation heavy paper ever written). Then there is Tomonaga, who epitomises simplicity and clarity, with a clear-eyed reverence for the rich history of physics. He is above all, a sympathetic teacher - he tells you when something is difficult - for instance, explaining how Dirac stumbled on second quantisation "Why must you quantize it once more as the name second quantization suggests? We mortals stand bewildered here. Howerver, there is no use being bewildered, so let us try to discover why we feel bewildered." It's no wonder that Freeman Dyson said that it was only with the framework of Tomonaga, could he weave Feynman and Schwinger together into a comprehensible whole.

Book Description

Over 130 years ago, James Clerk Maxwell introduced his hypothetical "demon" as a challenge to the scope of the second law of thermodynamics. Fascination with the demon persisted throughout the development of statistical and quantum physics, information theory, and computer science, and links have been established between Maxwell's demon and each of these disciplines. The demon's seductive quality makes it appealing to physical scientists, engineers, computer scientists, biologists, psychologists, and historians and philosophers of science. Since the publication of Maxwell's Demon: Entropy, Information, Computing in 1990, Maxwell's demon has been the subject of renewed and increased interest by numerous researchers in the fields mentioned above. Updated and expanded, Maxwell's Demon 2: Entropy, Classical and Quantum Information, Computing retains many of the seminal papers that appeared in the first edition, including the original thoughts of James Clerk Maxwell and William Thomson; a historical review by Martin Klein; and key articles by Leo Szilard, Leon Brillouin, Rolf Landauer, and Charles Bennett that led to new branches of research on the demon. This second edition contains newer articles by Landauer, Bennett, and others, related to Landauer's principle; connections with quantum mechanics; algorithmic information; and the thermodynamics and limits of computation. The book also includes two separate bibliographies: an alphabetical listing by author and a chronological bibliography that is annotated by the editors and contains selected quotes from the books and articles listed. The bibliography has more than doubled in size since publication of the first edition and now contains over 570 entries.

Customer Reviews:

The Second Law.......2007-01-16

A collection of articles that explain the Second Law of Thermodynamics by looking at its most famous violator. It contains articles by William Thompson (who had not yet been made Lord Kelvin), Leo Szilard, Charles Bennett, Rolf Landauer and a cartoon by Larry Gonick (a fragment of which, a grinning little demon sitting on Maxwell's shoulder, is on the cover). The modern solution to the paradox posed by the demon is that the erasure of previously stored information in order to make room for the result of the observation increases the entropy of the demon by at least as much as the entropy of the vessel is decreased. Read Feynman Lectures on Computation for more context.

Clear, complete, and well-organized.......2003-02-20

Maxwell's Demon 2 is one of the best books I've found in the field - the authors address key issues in a clear and engaging manner. This is an excellent and well-organized reference book and includes any number of original papers which are difficult to find through other sources. Highly recommended.

Membranes and Other Extendons: (P-Branes) (World Scientific Lecture Notes in Physics)

Average customer rating:

Membranes and Other Extendons: (P-Branes) (World Scientific Lecture Notes in Physics)
Yuval Neeman , Elena Elzenberg , Yuval Ne'Eman , and Elena Eizenberg
Manufacturer: World Scientific Pub Co Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

The interest in membranes and higher dimensional extended geometrical objects was inspired by the great successes of the string and superstring, first in 1968-73 as a theory of hadrons and then since 1984 as a "theory of everything" - a unified theory of all interactions, including quantum gravity. In particular, membranes, "supermembranes" and "spinning membranes" have been studied since 1985; an unexpected connection with supergravity opened in 1988 some new prospects for a quantized theory. General theorems about higher dimensional "p-branes" or "extendons" were also derived. The subject is very promising, whether as a more comprehensive fundamental unification or as a description of composite hadrons.

Where there are now probably some fifty texts of all kinds dealing with strings, this is the first treatise on membranes and higher dimensional extendons.

Quantum Mechanics: Classical Results, Modern Systems, and Visualized Examples
Average customer rating:

A serious attempt at teaching quantum mechanics

Not for the Undergrad!

An interesting presentation of the subject

This Book Should Not Exist

Very interesting but a bit on the esoteric side

Quantum Mechanics: Classical Results, Modern Systems, and Visualized Examples
Richard Robinett
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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$Principles of Optics: Electromagnetic Theory of Propagation, Interference and Diffraction of Light (7th Edition)$ Principles of Optics: Electromagnetic Theory of Propagation, Interference and Diffraction of Light (7th Edition)

ASIN: 0198530978

Book Description

Quantum Mechanics: Classical Results, Modern Systems, and Visualized Examples is a comprehensive introduction to non-relativistic quantum mechanics for advanced undergraduate students in physics and related fields. It provides students with a strong conceptual background in the most important theoretical aspects of quantum mechanics, extensive experience with the mathematical tools required to solve problems, the opportunity to use quantum ideas to confront modern experimental realizations of quantum systems, and numerous visualizations of quantum concepts and phenomena. Changes from the First Edition include many new discussions of modern quantum systems (such as Bose-Einstein condensates, the quantum Hall effect, and wave packet revivals) all in the context of familiar textbook level examples. The book continues to emphasize the many connections to classical mechanics and wave physics to help students use their existing intuition to better learn new quantum concepts.

Customer Reviews:

A serious attempt at teaching quantum mechanics.......2007-03-20

I have been much impressed by Robinett's introduction to quantum mechanics. He seriously attempts to teach the principles of the subject, and does so with considerable effect. His quasi-derivation of the Schroedinger equation is notable.

I have used this twice in introductory quantum mechanics courses. Some students were vocal in their dislike of the book. However they seemed to have learned quite a bit from it. Given the adverse comments to be found about all other books in physics on Amazon the negative comments inspire contempt rather than respect. If Robinett errs, it is in attempting to teach Qm rather than in pounding formulae into students.

Not for the Undergrad!.......2004-10-17

Bought this book to assist me in the introductory level of Q.M. What a waste! Couldn't understand much of it and I already have a BS degree with over 2years of college math. This is defintely an intermediate to upper level Q.M book even though its said to be an undergrad. I wish that some of the people that give these reviews would mention the level their basing their opinion on. The reviews when I bought this book were very good but it must have been from graduates or such.

An interesting presentation of the subject.......2003-07-11

Robinett's book is a comprehensive is somewhat mathematical treatment of the fundamental aspects of this fascinating subject.

Among the things most pleasing about the book are:
1. A constant connection with classical physics principles;
2. An early introduction to and development of the wave packet and operators and a physical interpretation of Schrodinger's equation;
3. A comprehensive discussion of various QM models in both their mathematical and physical aspects: the infinite well and other 1-D potentials, SHO, scattering;
4. Two-D and Three-D QM and the development of the Hydrogen atom;
5. Development of Gravity and QM;
6. An abundance of examples, many based on experimental results for the student to try out.

The mathematics is clear, and unlike many other books, the author takes the trouble to present many of the intermediate steps. I should say, however, that there are quite a few TYPOS sprinkled throughout the text. They are only a minor distraction and if anything, finding and fixing them can be a useful learning experience! My criticsm would be that the sections on the physical and mathematical development of Spin is too short. Indeed, the Stern-Gerlach and associated gedanken experiments which are so fundamental to an understanding of the postulates of QM do not get much of a mention.

Having said this, the book is certainly a good introduction to the subject. It complements other traditional texts like French and Taylor quite well.

This Book Should Not Exist.......2002-04-03

We used this book in my undergrad quantum class, and not a single student ever had anything good to say about this book. The entire semester was a complete haze. Griffiths writes a beatiful intro QM text.

Very interesting but a bit on the esoteric side.......2000-04-25

This is only intro level quantum mechanics book that I have seen that really makes an attempt to get to the heart of the matter of quantum mechanics and its connections to classical physics. The notion of breaking the subject down by dimensionality of the problems is certainly unique and creative. The book covers a wide range of topics ranging from quantum gravity to chaos. Derivations are presented in a clear and readable way. Moreover, the problems are really fun and interesting. My ONLY reservation is that what *I* really like about the book, first time students would probably hate! However, for a course aimed at theoretical students in physics or in chemistry, this would be a hit.

Quantum-Classical Correspondence: Dynamical Quantization and the Classical Limit (The Frontiers Collection)

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Quantum-Classical Correspondence: Dynamical Quantization and the Classical Limit (The Frontiers Collection)
A.O. Bolivar
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3540201467

Book Description

At what level of physical existence does "quantum behavior" begin? How does it develop from classical mechanics? This book addresses these questions and thereby sheds light on fundamental conceptual problems of quantum mechanics. Quantum-Classical Correspondence elucidates the problem by developing a procedure for quantizing stochastic systems (e.g. Brownian systems) described by Fokker-Planck equations. The logical consistency of the scheme is then verified by taking the classical limit of the equations of motion and corresponding physical quantities. Perhaps equally important, conceptual problems concerning the relationship between classical and quantum physics are identified and discussed. Physical scientists will find this an accessible entrée to an intriguing and thorny issue at the core of modern physics.

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