Factory Physics Second Edition

Book Description

Comprehensive Introduction to Manufacturing Management text covering the behavior laws at work in factories. Examines operating policies and strategic objectives. Hopp presents the concepts of manufacturing processes and controls within a "physics" or "laws of nature" analogy--a novel approach. There is enough quantitative material for an engineer's course, as well as narrative that a management major can understand and apply.

Customer Reviews:

It was a good deal too.......2007-08-16

The Book was in Excellent shape. It was a good deal too

thank you

Theoretical background for Operations Management - setting a new standard.......2006-10-03

This book provides you with the fundamental insights of manufacturing and assembly. Even though I do not like statistics to much, the book is written in a understandable manner and provides the fundamental knowledge to understand what is going on in manufacturing. Based on this knowledge, the flaw of MRP-systems are even explained as well as the basics of JIT/Lean. The book provides mainly the hardfacts of this science and for practical people, reading first Quick-Response-Manufacturing (from Rajan Suri) might be the easier way for many of us and gives you the motivation to take a deeper look later on - as provided by Factory Physics.

Factory Physics describes not only how to describe a single workstation and the interactions between many of them, than as well the great importance of variability reduction in a production line and how to analyse it. CONWIP-lines, as a mix of push-pull, are a central key in this book and a simple way to analyse the performance of any system is provided by the book. This book, together with Quick-Response-Manufacturing (this book includes important softfactores as well) have changed drastically my way of operational thinking and given me a sense, which system to apply (QRM or JIT/Lean) and why. The insight can even be used for services as well. One central point is the utilisation of a workstation and the knowledge, that the more you reduce variability in arrivals and processing, the higher the utilisation can be - still achieving low lead times. You will find as well important and simple laws helping you out in the daily business (Little's law and queueing theory).

As for JIT/Lean, lead time reduction can use the same japanese tools:

- SMED: setup-time reduction (lot sizes for reduction in lead time and WIP)
- TPM: productive maintenance (higher machine availability and decrease of variability)
- ZQC: fool-proof quality inspection for Zero defects (against capacity lost and to decrease variability)

All the books mentionned above, have a big advantage over traditional SCM-books: they provide you with a framework how to trim a single chain-element of the supply-chain and therefore how to built the whole supply chain. The operational strategy should be derived from the overall company strategy and with this new insights you can tailor a unique production system that fits your company's goals - or even give you an advantage over your competition. Anyway, it will not make obsolet the importance of having a sound and consistant overall business strategy (for your markets) first!

Enjoy reading, Best Regards

written with the heart of a teacher.......2006-03-13

Though the two authors are consultants, they are foremost - teachers. What is useful, and kind to a degree, is they put an effort to explain the numbers as pragmatic as possible. That idea made this book very accessible. To the industrial engineers or those who are involved (and passionate) in operations or in understanding systems - next to the Industrial Engineering Handboook, this should be in our library.

Exceptional enlightened and insightful!.......2006-02-18

I found this book to be very insightful. It helps to explain many of my own observations in my factory. The authors did an excellent job of explaining the key concepts using only average use of mathematics and in simple layman's terms. The readers will only need basic mathematics/beginner calculus, and basic statistics. Reading it was like discovering new ideas to implement in the factory to quickly realize efficiencies and cost savings. It was one of the best books I have laid eyes on in a very long time.

I highly recommend this book for every mfg and production engineers working in assembly or automation-driven factory. This book is not applicable to chemical processing, thus may not bring significant values to chemical or petroleum engineers.

Excellent and valuable book.......2005-12-23

This is the best course textbook I have had so far over about ten industrial engineering courses (and I have had some very good textbooks and courses). The book basically describes how to analyze and improve manufacturing operations through examining key areas that include: variability and its sources, push and pull systems, and supply chain management.

The authors approach is to present ideas in a very clear and relevant way. What I particularly like is that they do a great job putting things into perspective in a style that is highly readable. While there is some math involved if one wants to delve into the details that are in side notes, a basic understanding of calculus is more than sufficient. The authors are clearly very bright and, more importantly, are able to communicate very effectively and with a sense of humor.

This book can definitely be read on a stand-alone basis outside of a school environment. Many of the central ideas are very valuable.

Average customer rating:

DO NOT BUY
Not a Stand-Alone book.
a review of Modern Physics by Hans C. OHanian
PAPERBACK!!!
Good intro to serious modern physics

Modern Physics, Second Edition
Hans C. Ohanian
Manufacturer: Benjamin Cummings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0131244396

Customer Reviews:

DO NOT BUY.......2007-03-19

This is a horrible book. I am currently using it and the number of typos are not funny. At first you think, that's not right (it isn't)... weird one would have thought they would have caught something that important, oh well. But after 100 pages of wondering why the answers are wrong and the formulas keep changing, you're ready to throw the damned thing out. If you're in a class using this book, buy another one and don't use this one. I have read other books by this guy and their not this bad, someone just let something slip.

Not a Stand-Alone book........2001-09-18

This book introduces all the proper facets of Modern Physics. It only falls short on problem solving concepts. I found the material brought up during the chapters did not prepare me for the problems at the end of the chapters. In addition to that, a fair amount of the answers in the back of the book are wrong. I found I could only manage the course by getting a Schaum's Outline of Modern Physics. The Schaum's Outline gave all the worked out examples that the Ohanian book lacks. So get Ohanian for the concepts, and Schaum's for problem-solving.

a review of Modern Physics by Hans C. OHanian.......2001-07-06

This book is certainly not one that simply assumes a knowledge of classical physics. The text assumes (at the very least) an introductory knowledge of modern physics, as it quite liberally employs terms and concepts unbeknownst to most classical-physics entrepreneurs. As i consider myself to be one of these, this book, prior to my professor's lectures, was utterly useless. While the material contained in any modern physics text may be somewhat convoluded, this one in particular does the amateur classical physicist no service. However, a previously-accredited modern physicist can almost certainly gain a thorough review of many generalized modern physics concepts via this book.

PAPERBACK!!!.......2001-05-24

I recently purchased this book for my modern physics course and it is a well written book. However, for some reason the publisher has sent out very poor copies of the book that are paperback and have the same ISBN number. Normally the paperback and hardcover have different ISBN's along with different prices. The copy that I purchased, along with the ones in the school bookstore and various other resellers are paperback and were printed on poor quality printers (the text is fuzzy and has many ink spots throughout the text). Just a warning to any stuents or professors who may be using this book in a course, please make certain that you are getting what you pay for.

Good intro to serious modern physics.......2000-11-27

This textbook assumes a knowledge in classical physics, and then proceeds to excellently cover topics in modern physics, including, relativity, quantum mechanics, solid state physics, nuclear physics and particle physics. It is a good choice for trying to acquire a knowledge of modern physics for the reader who has a good knowledge of classical physics (advanced high school program or first year University) but wants to move on.

Intermolecular and Surface Forces, Second Edition: With Applications to Colloidal and Biological Systems (Colloid Science)

Average customer rating:

Great Service
A great text with lots of information in a small package.
Good book.
Fantastic Book
Forces you know or not????

Intermolecular and Surface Forces, Second Edition: With Applications to Colloidal and Biological Systems (Colloid Science)
Jacob N. Israelachvili
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0123751810

Book Description

This book describes the roles of various intermolecular and interparticle forces in determining the properties of simple systems such as gases, liquids, and solids, of more complex colloidal, polymeric, and biological systems. The book provides a thorough grounding in theories and concepts of intermolecular forces, allowing students and researchers to recognize which forces are important in any particular system and how to control these forces.

Key Features
* Surface-force measurements
* Solvation and structural forces
* Hydration and hydophobic forces
* Ion-correlation forces
* Thermal fluctuation (steric and undulation) forces
* Particle and surface interactions in polymer melts and polymer solutions
* Contains worked examples, discussion topics, and more than 100 problems

Customer Reviews:

Great Service.......2007-10-08

The book was brand new and the shipping was fast.
Thank you for an easy transaction.

A great text with lots of information in a small package........2007-09-29

This text is perfect for the reader who can read graphs and diagrams. A picture is worth a thousand words and so are graphs and diagrams. This text is chock full of graphs with all the information that you may need for an undergraduate or graduate course. I love this book. Its an excellent reference.

Good book........2007-09-03

Was used for "intermolecular forces" class... Advanced, and I think, it could be useful for people who work with AFM.

Fantastic Book.......2005-07-23

If you want to learn about the title subject, this is a great intro book. And it's probably the most enjoyable theory book you are likely to own, if you purchase it.

Forces you know or not????.......2004-02-13

The above "reviewer" needs to learn the English language! What the hell is that guy trying to tell us? I'm glad the book is useful to the outdoors.

Book Description

Theodore Frankel explains those parts of exterior differential forms, differential geometry, algebraic and differential topology, Lie groups, vector bundles and Chern forms essential to a better understanding of classical and modern physics and engineering. Key highlights of his new edition are the inclusion of three new appendices that cover symmetries, quarks, and meson masses; representations and hyperelastic bodies; and orbits and Morse-Bott Theory in compact Lie groups. Geometric intuition is developed through a rather extensive introduction to the study of surfaces in ordinary space. First Edition Hb (1997): 0-521-38334-X First Edition Pb (1999): 0-521-38753-1

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic - for the scientist.......2007-07-18

A very good book: buy it. But only if you are a scientist or student of physics/mathematics. This is not popular-science-common-public level.

a book worth keeping.......2007-05-01

This book can be quite confusing if you start without any background on the idea of manifold or knows nothing about general relativity. However, it does have strong points:

1. The notation is very up-to-date, and is entirely coordinate-independant approach.

2. The author explains in great details of formulation of modern differential geometry, and the details are comparatively lacking in other reference books.

3. The author never hesitate to use graphs and diagrams to illustrate points, and stroke nice balance in between mathematics rigor and physical insight.

Although it appears quite verbose at some point, it is mainly because differential geometry is such a heavy subject. Another book nice to have as companion reading is Goldburg's "Tensor analysis on Manifold", a terse, well-written text book.

Phenomenal .......2006-11-13

I just finished reading this book and I found it phenomenal. The physical ideas are made very clear in a natural mathematical framework.

You should buy this, despite its flaws.......2006-03-03

The other reviews on this page give this book anywhere from 1 to 5 stars, and they are all correct in their own way. The book is inspired, deep and full of physics applications and insights. On the other hand, it skims over mathematical rigor to a large degree and focuses more on defining things, getting a feel for them and moving on to application.

My advice: buy the book for its strengths, and read other books in parallel if you need more rigor. But still, buy it.

Also, things can be confusing on the first two or three reads, but keep at it and you will be glad you did.

The perfect first book in differential geometry.......2005-01-28

Differential geometry can be a very intimidating subject due to its heavy formalism. There are complete books (such as Kobayashi& Nomizu) very good as reference books, and there very few books that show the reader the picture behind the formulas.

This is one such book. It tells you the intuition behind each construction and from this point of view it has many things in common with Arnold's famous book on Math. Methods in Classical Mechanics. But where as Arnold does not pay too much attention to formalism, this book achieves this task as well. It shows the reader how to do those impossible computations as well.

This is definitely the first place to look at if you want to really learn differential geometry. If it seems difficult it is only because the subject is so.

Average customer rating:

A good first course

Physics, Vol. 2, Second Edition
James S. Walker
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0131406523

Book Description

Like having a private coach at their elbows, this introduction to algebra-based physics involves readers actively in a guided learn-by-doing process—sensing when they need a very patient exposition and when they need only minimal reinforcement, when they need to focus on concepts and when they need an opportunity to practice their quantitative skills. At the heart of the volume are worked examples in a unique, two-column format that focuses on the basic strategies and step-by-step thought processes involved in problem solving—with an emphasis on the relationship between the physical concepts and their mathematical expression. Color-coded drawings help readers visualize physics problems, and companion photographs show the same principle at work in different physical contexts, or juxtapose situations in which contrasting principles are at work. Real-world physics applications abound. Volume 2 includes Chs. 19-32 of the main volume: Electric Charges, Forces, and Fields; Electric Potential and Electric Potential Energy; Electric Current and Direct-Current Circuits; Magnetism; Magnetic Flux and Faraday's Law of Induction; Alternating-Current Circuits; Electromagnetic Waves; Geometrical Optics; Optical Instruments; Physical Optics: Interference and Diffraction; Relativity; Quantum Physics; Atoms, Molecules, and Solids; Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Radiation. For anyone needing an introduction to, or refresher of, algebra-based physics.

Customer Reviews:

A good first course.......2005-12-30

I first had physics in college twenty years ago. I was studying (at that time) astronomy and mathematics, so the first college-level physics class I took fully incorporated calculus and advanced mathematics. It was not until recently, as I took a position as tutor at a local community college, that I discovered a rigourous introductory physics text that did not involve calculus (only one semester of calculus is offered at the college, and usually taken concurrently with or after physics).

Walker's text, second edition, is the text we currently use. We offer one semester of physics, so we only get half-way through the text, which seems designed for a two-semester sequence. As the main focus of the college is technical, so the sections on mechanics, thermal physics and electromagnetism are the most essential sections for our degree programmes.

While this text does not assume calculus, it does assume basic trigonometry and analytic geometry. Dealing with angles and graphing are important skills to know here; dealing with vectors is introduced very early in the text, and continues to be very important throughout.

The book is well organised, with chapter summaries, problem-solving techniques summarised at the end of chapter, high concept questions, drawings, photographs, and real-world applications that relate the theory back to actual experience. From the light refraction in raindrops to the workings of the Global Positioning System, students will learn more about the interactions of the world from this text.

The examples follow a format that shows not only the worked solutions, but also the strategies employed to get to the solutions. Problems are pictured (after all, physics deals with real, substantial things), and conceptual considerations are explained (physics is largely story problems that need to be set up properly, after all). The insights and further considerations from the solutions are explored, and other practice problems are suggested (physics is always about going on to the next problem). The examples follow different categories - there are active examples, conceptual checkpoints, and real-world physics exercises.

The book is divided into five primary sections: Mechanics; Thermal Physics; Electromagnetism; Light and Optics; and Modern Physics. Mechanics largely deals with motion, introducing near the end ideas of gravity, sound, fluids and energy. This leads into Thermal Physics, the study of heat, temperature, and the laws of thermodynamics. Electromagnetism looks at electric force, charge, current, potential/potential energy, magnetism and flux. Light and Optics continues this with electromagnetic waves, proceeding to optical instruments and issues of interference and diffraction. The final section on Modern Physics deals with `fun stuff' like relativity, quantum physics, atomic and nuclear physics and radiation.

Like most texts, it comes with various supplements for students and teachers, computer-based and web-based. There are pocket companions and workbooks with solutions that can also be obtained, related to the text.

This is a good text for classroom study, and also a text for independent study. Some of the exercises are difficult to work through, but there are literally dozens (sometimes hundreds) after each chapter, so there is plenty on which to practice, and all the odd-numbered exercises have answers supplied.

Atmospheric Science, Volume 92, Second Edition: An Introductory Survey (International Geophysics)

Average customer rating:

Absolutely fantastic
General
The best introductory atmospheric science text on the market
Excellent (albeit dated) treatment of atmos. science
stimulating book

Atmospheric Science, Volume 92, Second Edition: An Introductory Survey (International Geophysics)
John M. Wallace , and Peter V. Hobbs
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 012732951X

Book Description

Wallace and Hobbs original edition of Atmospheric Science helped define the field nearly 30 years ago, and has served as the cornerstone for most university curriculums. Now students and professionals alike can use this updated classic to understand atmospheric phenomena in the context of the latest discoveries and technologies, and prepare themselves for more advanced study and real-life problem solving.

Atmospheric Science, Second Edition, has been completely revamped in terms of content and appearance. It contains new chapters on atmospheric chemistry, the Earth system,climate, and the atmospheric boundary layer, as well as enhanced treatment of atmospheric dynamics, weather forecasting, radiative transfer, severe storms, and human impacts, such as global warming. The authors illustrate concepts with colorful state-of-the-art imagery and cover a vast amount of new information in the field. They have also developed several online materials for instructors who adopt the text.

With its thorough coverage of the fundamentals, clear explanations, and extensive updates, Wallace & Hobbs' Atmospheric Science, Second Edition, is the essential first step in educating today's atmospheric scientists.

* Full-color satellite imagery and cloud photographs illustrate principles throughout
* Extensive numerical and qualitative exercises emphasize the application of basic physical principles to problems in the atmospheric sciences
* Biographical footnotes summarize the lives and work of scientists mentioned in the text, and provide students with a sense of the long history of meteorology
* Companion website encourages more advanced exploration of text topics: supplementary information, images, and bonus exercises

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely fantastic.......2007-05-13

This is a truly well-written book; introducing the major concepts of atmospheric science in a clear and logical manner. After having the opportunity to study with the author, I am thoroughly impressed with his depth of knowledge in the field. A must-own for any aspiring atmospheric scientist.

General.......2007-03-29

A good book for very brief introduction. Some sections are treated much better than others, where it may have been better to leave out the lesser covered topics rather than include them. This book seems to be a good book for an undergraduate level introduction to atmosphere similar to an intoduction to astronomy course.

The best introductory atmospheric science text on the market.......2002-11-14

Hands down this text is the best for anyone looking for an introduction to the atmospheric sciences. There is almost no topic this book doesn't provide an overview of. Personally my favorite section is Thermodynamics. In my opinion the authors give a very clear and thorough introduction to the subject. Other topics in the book are also equally as good. As an introductory text (2nd year) this book provides a very good base for students in the atmospheric sciences to build upon. I find that even in 4th year I still referred back to the text to recall some of the basics that tend to get lost when you become so fixed on the math.

Excellent text, well worth the money (like almost any book in the field, it is expensive!). The fact that the book hasn't changed in 25yrs (even the cover is the same!) says something about it's quality.

Excellent (albeit dated) treatment of atmos. science.......2002-09-24

(Update--there is a new edition of this textbook, out in spring 2006)

It's too bad Wallace and Hobbs never got around to revising this edition of the text, written in 1977. Of all the undergraduate textbooks I had, this was by far the best.

W&H cover all the important topics in meteorology and atmospheric science. Each chapter is very well written, easy to understand, and has good graphics and thought-provoking (often difficult!) questions at the end of each chapter. Each chapter ends with a series of mathematical questions--some of which require a good bit of thinking to arrive at the right equation to use; and also a series of "explain or interpret these statements." This is where you find out how much you really know!

Why do I like this book? Each chapter can, to some extent, stand on its own. Even though the material is dated (Chapter 5, on clouds and storms, would need significant additions in a course taught today), fundamental principles were the same then and are explained well. The historical notes about famous scientists also add character to the text.

My suggestion for a new reader: Chapters 1, 2, 8, 3, and 5 in that order. Then add Chapters 9, 4, 6, and 7. This way, you get the fundamental theory and then get to apply all you know to actual weather systems (in 3 and 5). The remaining four are almost like special topics and can be read at any time. If anyone has better suggestions, let me know!

stimulating book.......2000-07-22

Although not being a specialist in the field (mine is Condensed Matter Physics), I found this book to be quite stimulating and well written. It is suitable for a student who has already some familiarity with Physics and Calculus (including several variables and vector calculus) and , in my opinion, that is just what makes it exciting, because it does not, although being introductory, bores the non-specialist reader with a mass of details or just qualitative information. I have been responsible for introductory Themodynamics classes for students of Physics and Meteorology for the last four years in my institute, and now I intend to use examples from the book .

Quantum Electrodynamics, Second Edition: Volume 4

Average customer rating:

very physical book
A good introduction
A COMPLETE BOOK ON QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
Theory and applications presented with great skill

Quantum Electrodynamics, Second Edition: Volume 4
E M Lifshitz , L P Pitaevskii , and V B Berestetskii
Manufacturer: Butterworth-Heinemann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0750633719

Book Description

Several significant additions have been made to the second edition, including the operator method of calculating the bremsstrahlung cross-section, the calcualtion of the probabilities of photon-induced pair production and photon decay in a magnetic
field, the asymptotic form of the scattering amplitudes at high energies, inelastic scattering of electrons by hadrons, and the transformation of electron-positron pairs into hadrons.

Customer Reviews:

very physical book.......2006-01-14

I mean a very physical book in the sense that it takes all the matters with the point of view of physical insight. The treatment of bosons and fermions is quick clear and it seems like a sleight of hand trick. The interaction of matter and radiation is one, perhaps old fashion, complete source of actual calculus difficult to obtain in other sources. Other topics about perturbative calculations and feynman diagrams is also very clear and straightforward to the mater itself. I recommend the book to all students in the graduate level, thougth a very russian style is a must for the great style lovers.

A good introduction.......2003-09-29

This book gives a solid introduction to the simplest of gauge theories, that of the Abelian gauge field governing the interactions between photons and charged particles. The emphasis is on doing calculations, and so readers who need a more in-depth mathematical or "foundational" overview of quantum electrodynamics may be disappointed. Quantum field theory of course was not founded on the need for mathematical rigor in physics, but instead has its origins in reconciling quantum mechanics with the theory of special relativity. This reconciliation has sometimes been a rough road, and in many places employs some sophisticated but eccentric "trickery" on the part of the researchers. It is these tricks that are the most difficult to generalize, to the annoyance of mathematicians who want to put quantum field theory on a more rigorous mathematical foundation. But in spite of the use of these oddities quantum field theory is not magical, and has proven to be one of the most precise physical theories ever constructed.

Some of the highlights of the book:

1. The chapter on exact propogators and vertex parts is particularly illuminating, especially the discussions on Dyson's equation, Ward's identity, and the physical conditions needed for renormalization. Dyson's equation relates the vertex part to the exact propagator, and the authors derive it using two different approaches in the book: one using the concepts of reducible and irreducible diagrams, the other using direct calculation and taking the Fourier transform. Readers who go on in quantum field theory will find that this equation is usually called the Dyson-Schwinger equation and can be derived using "functional methods." Ward's identity is a relation that connects the momentum derivative of the electron propagator to the vertex part, but can derived solely by using gauge invariance. Applying a gauge transformation to the electron propagator will result in an expression involving an external (photon) field. This expression though has a contribution coming from photons with longitudinal components in their momentum, but the expression is shown to vanish. Hence, as expected, gauge invariance results in an electron propagator that does not involve massive photon fields, and its momentum derivatives are equal to the vertex part. The authors point out that this identity generalizes the expression for the case of the free-particle propagator.

2. The discussion on the radiative corrections to Coulomb's law, resulting from the "polarization of the vacuum" around a point charge. The corrections are done via the use of an "effective field", thus introducing the reader to a very common approach these days. After taking Fourier transforms the authors show that the polarization of the vacuum alters the Coulomb field in a region inversely proportional to the electron mass. Beyond this region the change drops off exponentially. The authors point out though that they have ignored the contributions of pions and muons in their calculation of the correction. At distances less than one over the muon (or pion) mass, the strong interaction must be taken into account and quantum electrodynamics breaks down.

3. The discussion on photon-photon scattering, which is a strictly quantum effect since it cannot occur in classical electrodynamics, due to the linearity of Maxwell's equations. It is the electron-positron annihilation which is responsible for this effect, and this is one example of the matter-antimatter duality that seems to always occur in quantum theories that must respect the principle of relativity (although, strictly speaking, another assumption, called "cluster decomposition" is needed to show this in a convincing way).

4. The (short) chapter on hadron electrodynamics, with "electromagnetic form factors" used to finesse the problem of the strong interaction. One thus gets a purely phenomonological theory, but one that still allows the calculation of electron-hadron and photon-hadron scattering.

A COMPLETE BOOK ON QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS.......1998-07-23

This is the Volume 4 of the famous Course of Theoretical Physics by L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz. All serious students of theoretical physics must possess the ten volumes of this excellent Course, which cover in detail and rigour practically all the branches of theoretical physics. The Volume 4 treats the subject of quantum electrodynamics. It contains all of basic material on quantum electrodynamics and the whole of the theory of radiation. This book, although very dense, describes with clarity the large amount of topics contained in it and does not include topics not firmly established, such as the theory of strong and weak interactions. All physicists specialized in quantum electrodynamics must possess this remarkable book. A superb book!

Theory and applications presented with great skill.......1998-07-21

This is an outstanding book. The former students of the great Russian physicist Lev Landau wrote a text based on his teaching and his papers, as well as on their own work. The result fits well in the magnificent Theoretical Physics course that carries the names of Landau and Lifshitz. There are differences between this text and the western analogues. Dirac equation is derived in a very elegant way using spinors, and the whole algebra of Dirac matrices becomes, in this way, much more natural, particularly, as one would expect, Lorentz invariance. The renormalization problem is treated in a very lucid way. The derivation of the Ward identities is very simple and amusing. High energy limits are treated in the Landau style, and well complements the more formal derivations based on the renormalization group. No book presents as many applications of quantum electrodynamics as this one, except perhaps, the old and dated book by Heitler.

Electrodynamics of Continuous Media, Second Edition: Volume 8 (Course of Theoretical Physics)

Average customer rating:

an invaluable reference!
Russian School of Physics
The BEST
A masterpiece.
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS ON MACROSCOPIC ELECTRODYNAMICS!

Electrodynamics of Continuous Media, Second Edition: Volume 8 (Course of Theoretical Physics)
E M Lifshitz , L D Landau , and L P Pitaevskii
Manufacturer: Butterworth-Heinemann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0750626348

Book Description

Covers the theory of electromagnetic fields in matter, and the theory of macroscopic electric and magnetic properties of matter. There is a considerable amount of new material particularly on the theory of the magnetic properties of matter and the theory
of optical phenomena with new chapters on spatial dispersion and non-linear optics.

Customer Reviews:

an invaluable reference!.......2006-07-18

What can I say? There are 9 copies of this book in the library of my university and 8 of them have been checked out. The only one left is a reserved copy. And right now it's in the middle of a summer vacation! So many things that I want to know can be found in this book: the difference between Kerr effect and Faraday effect, the magneto-electric tensor, magnetic symmetries of crystals... etc. The explanations are usually very compact but extremely clear. Once many years ago I was frustrated at being unable to find a "physicist's description" of the galvanic cell. Finally, after searching many books and papers, I found a most satisfying explanation, exactly the way I needed it, in this book. It is an invaluable "reference" (but not textbook) for researchers working on material science, light-matter interactions, and related fields.

Russian School of Physics.......2006-03-27

This book has few uses. The book is so abbreviated that you need two other books to understand it. The one useful feature of this book is the problems with solutions, but even those take a lot of deciphering.

The BEST.......2000-05-16

It the best. I mean the whole course. If you can read Russian buy the original book - they are very very cheap (hardbound): a couple of dollars.

A masterpiece........1998-10-02

In the beginning there was ether. Then Maxwell discovered his wonderful equations and Einstein, drawing inspiration therefrom, discovered Relativity. There was no longer an ether. Thank God! For, before, every electric, magnetic and optical phenomenon was supposed to be explained by properties of this ubiquitous ether. For a brilliant account of the physics of the ether, read "Aether", by Maxwell himself, at the Encyclopaedia Britannica (not the present edition: go to* and look at the Classics). Since Lorentz it became fashionable, and sensible, to, first, derive all properties of the electromagnetic fiel in vacuum, and, then, to introduce matter and the complications which appear (and which give rise to most of the beauty of the world). This wonderful book deals with these complications, and shows the beauties that come out of them. This is a high class text, the reader being supposed to know all of basic physics, including, of course, quantum mechanics. Thermodynamics is used lavishly for static or quasi-static situations, providing depth and cohesion. Did you know that you cannot, in this age of new materials, concoct one with electric permittivity (the familiar epsilon) smaller than one lest you violate the second law of thermodynamics? The chapter on electromagnetic waves is superb, with the best treatment of light dispersion to be found anywhere. Did you know that you cannot produce a transparent material which would disperse light in a different sequence of colours than that of the usual glass prism lest you violate causality? You have to read this book. Grab your copy while you can find it. One never knows.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS ON MACROSCOPIC ELECTRODYNAMICS!.......1998-07-24

This is the Volume 8 of the famous Course of Theoretical Physics by L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz. All serious students of theoretical physics must possess the ten volumes of this excellent Course, which cover in detail and rigour practically all the branches of theoretical physics. The Volume 8 treats the subject of the electromagnetic fields in matter, or the macroscopic electrodynamics. The book contains all the basic theory of macroscopic electrodynamics, discussing at the same time some more specialized and very interesting topics. The discussion is rigorous and very detailed, with clarity of exposition. There exists also in this book chapters not usually found in other similar books, such as the chapters on the dynamics of magnetic fluids, the theory of the interaction of fast particles with matter(for example, the Cerenkov radiation), the macroscopic theory of superconductivity and the theory of diffraction of X rays in crystals. There exists a little appendice! on curvilinear coordinates, which serves to auxiliate the reader in the mathematical calculations. Moreover, the authors discuss in a very elegant manner mathematical methods for solving problems in electrostatics, such as for example the method of conformal mapping. Certainly one of the best books on macroscopic electrodynamics!

Average customer rating:

A good first course...

Physics, Vol. 1, Second Edition
James S. Walker
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0131406515

Book Description

Like having a private coach at their elbows, this introduction to algebra-based physics involves readers actively in a guided learn-by-doing process—sensing when they need a very patient exposition and when they need only minimal reinforcement, when they need to focus on concepts and when they need an opportunity to practice their quantitative skills. At the heart of the volume are worked examples in a unique, two-column format that focuses on the basic strategies and step-by-step thought processes involved in problem solving—with an emphasis on the relationship between the physical concepts and their mathematical expression. Color-coded drawings help readers visualize physics problems, and companion photographs show the same principle at work in different physical contexts, or juxtapose situations in which contrasting principles are at work. Real-world physics applications abound. Volume 1 contains Chs. 1-18 of the main volume: One-Dimensional Kinematics; Vectors in Physics; Two-Dimensional Kinematics; Newton's Laws of Motion; Applications of Newton's Laws; Work and Kinetic Energy; Potential Energy and Conservative Forces; Linear Momentum and Collisions; Rotational Kinematics and Energy; Rotational Dynamics and Static Equilibrium; Gravity; Oscillations about Equilibrium; Waves and Sound; Fluids; Temperature and Heat; Phases and Phase Changes; The Laws of Thermodynamics. For anyone needing an introduction to, or refresher of, algebra-based physics.

Customer Reviews:

A good first course..........2005-10-13

Practical Design and Production of Optical Thin Films, Second Edition, (Optical Engineering, 79)

Average customer rating:

One indispensable volume for a thin film maker

Practical Design and Production of Optical Thin Films, Second Edition, (Optical Engineering, 79)

Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0824708490

Book Description

Providing insider viewpoints and perspectives unavailable in any other text, this book presents useful guidelines and tools to produce effective coatings and films. Covering subjects ranging from materials selection and process development to successful system construction and optimization, it contains expanded discussions on design visualization, dense wavelength division multiplexing, new coating equipment, electrochromic and chemically active coatings, ion-assisted deposition, and optical monitoring sensitivity. Furnishing real-world examples and know-how, the book introduces Fourier analysis and synthesis without difficult mathematical concepts and equations.

Customer Reviews:

One indispensable volume for a thin film maker.......2002-11-02

Almost all knowledges about the manufacturing of an optical thin film are coverd.Especially bibliograpy is substantial.Although most required things have gathered, they are good.About the theoretical portion of the characteristic of a thin film, explanation is by for beginners a little.Although there is nothing, since there are some which explained it mostly, they do not become a problem.
As the 2nd book,it is indispensable to those who are going to study the optical thin film.
In a thin film maker's bookshelf,It is one volume which should be equipped with and placed.

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