Table of Isotopes, 8th Edition

Book Description

Nuclear structure and decay data for thousands of isotopes and isomers-a new update of the definitive reference.

The 1999 Table of Isotopes CD-ROM/booklet set features:
* Nuclear structure and radioactive decay data for approximately 3,700 isotopes and isomers-an increase of more than 100 since the 1998 Update.
* Up-to-date mass chain information, with more than 10% revised material.
* The latest versions as of December 1998 of the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) and Nuclear Science Reference (NSR) file.
* Additional data from several evaluation sources, including The Table of Superdeformed Nuclear Bands and Fission Isomers.
* Updated isotope summary table as well as energy-ordered gamma ray and alpha particle tables-now included on the CD-ROM.
* Updated appendices for elemental data, nuclear charts, and gamma ray energy standards.
* Adoption of the 1997 IUPAC recommended heavy element names.
* More than 25,000 references.
* Convenient links to additional atomic mass, nuclear astrophysics rates, spontaneous fission, thermal neutron capture, and more.

Plus, the Isotope Explorer 2.22 software lets you search the entire database by level scheme drawings, annotated tables, data plots, nuclear structure charts and keywords as well as download the latest data directly from the Table of Isotopes Web site. An updated User Manual is also included on the CD-ROM.

The 1999 Update booklet features a new comprehensive isotope nuclear structure table. In addition, it provides clear, step-by-step instructions on navigating the Table of Isotopes CD-ROM and accessing its Web site.

System Requirements: PC, Macintosh(r), or UNIX(r) systems with double speed or faster CD-ROM drive and sufficient RAM to run Adobe(TM) Acrobat(r) (see Adobe Acrobat Reader information in the book for specific system requirements). Included on the CD-ROM: Adobe Acrobat Reader(r) 3.02 for Windows(r) 95, 98, and NT and Linux 1.2.13 or higher; Acrobat Reader 3.01 for Windows 3.1; Isotope Explorer 2.22 for Windows 95, 98, and NT.

Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering: A Comprehensive Guide

Average customer rating:

Just one comment, this is a great book.
There are much better options.

Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering: A Comprehensive Guide
K. F. Riley , M. P. Hobson , and S. J. Bence
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Student Solution Manual for Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering Third Edition
Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences
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Div, Grad, Curl, and All That: An Informal Text on Vector Calculus, Fourth Edition
Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers (Dover Books on Advanced Mathematics)

ASIN: 0521679710

Book Description

The third edition of this highly acclaimed undergraduate textbook is suitable for teaching all the mathematics for an undergraduate course in any of the physical sciences. As well as lucid descriptions of all the topics and many worked examples, it contains over 800 exercises. New stand-alone chapters give a systematic account of the 'special functions' of physical science, cover an extended range of practical applications of complex variables, and give an introduction to quantum operators. Further tabulations, of relevance in statistics and numerical integration, have been added. In this edition, half of the exercises are provided with hints and answers and, in a separate manual available to both students and their teachers, complete worked solutions. The remaining exercises have no hints, answers or worked solutions and can be used for unaided homework; full solutions are available to instructors on a password-protected web site, www.cambridge.org/9780521679718.

Customer Reviews:

Just one comment, this is a great book........2007-05-30

This is one of the best mathematical methods book, very readable.
It has very clear explainations, in each topic it's developing from basic intuitions until it reaches the genralized equations, several detailed examples help a reader checks his understanding and follows the authors.

The contents are very well-organized and self-contained, one can looks directly at the topic he wants to know. It's lucid and normally answer and teach a reader what he wants to do. All definitions make sense and a reader can accepts easily it's a smart thing to do math that way.

It also serves as a one-stop, if you feel confused when you're reading because your background knowledge is not strong enough, just search for the previous related topics, all brilliant explainations are waiting for you to grasp them, make you ready for what you need.

Any undergrads and beginning grad students in Physics will find this book is great. This is an excellent example how to write an approachable math methods book. Eventhough it has a thick over than 1,300 pages, but it never turns a reader away becuase of its thickness at all. Once one starts reading it, he'll enjoy and come back looking for another explaination.

One more great point is, this book contains a lot of real physical examples besides the math formulations, make a reader understands the topic deeply and sees a practical use.

Besides the book, I totally don't agree with a previous comment from a chemical physicist who gave this book just one star.

There are much better options........2007-04-24

This book is only good for someone who is very experienced in these areas of mathematics it discusses. It is not whatsoever for a student who wants to learn these things for the first time. It should be avoided at all costs to someone who does not already know how to do these mathematical operations. If you want to learn techniques of math for science, read Mary Boas's book (excellent) or Glen Fletcher.

If you are looking for an in depth analysis of these subjects after a course in mathematical methods and comfort in mathematics of physics undergraduate, then this book is comprehensive and good reference book. I still, however, find the book very lacking and regret buying it overall.

Average customer rating:

Calculus of Variations
Great math book doesn't have to be expensive and pretentious.
Review of Calculus of Variations
Great value...
Calculus of Variations

Calculus of Variations
I. M. Gelfand , and S. V. Fomin
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Calculus of Variations
Elements of the Theory of Functions and Functional Analysis
Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers (Dover Books on Advanced Mathematics)
The Variational Principles of Mechanics (Dover Books on Physics and Chemistry)
Counterexamples in Analysis (Dover Books on Mathematics)

ASIN: 0486414485

Book Description

First 6 chapters include theory of fields and sufficient conditions for weak and strong extrema. Chapter 7 considers application of variation methods to systems with infinite degrees of freedom, and Chapter 8 deals with direct methods in the calculus of variations. Problems follow each chapter and the 2 appendices.

Customer Reviews:

Calculus of Variations.......2007-05-14

This book is a "must have" for those wanting to study topics in functional analysis.

Great math book doesn't have to be expensive and pretentious........2007-01-20

As a physicist I want to find a book to refresh my memory on theoretical mechanics. I came across this one, and after reading its first 4 chapters in continuation, I kow I don't need any other book. What a treat! Written by a past master, the book costs you next to nothing; yet as it's written by sure hand, it hasn't slightest pretention, just plain and insightful, natural and smoth flow, leads you almost effortlessly fowward. Even though I learned the subject before, I don't know of or even imagine a better exposition. Wow, I started to love Russian mathematicians.

Review of Calculus of Variations.......2007-01-11

This is a classic text and I would recommend it to graduate students and mathematicians who need a review of the subject. Great for us physicists as well.

Great value..........2006-02-25

Ok, not everyone needs to (or wants to) know calculus of variations. But if you are among the ones who, this is a great book to get started with (assuming you are in grad school and have a decent handle on calculus and some basis in dealing with differential equations). The text is clear and concise, and the financial investment is minimal. A good buy!

Calculus of Variations .......2005-08-11

The book s very good

Barron's SAT Subject Test in Physics 2007 (Barron's How to Prepare for the Sat II Physics)

Average customer rating:

Tough. Too tough for even the writers, it seems

Barron's SAT Subject Test in Physics 2007 (Barron's How to Prepare for the Sat II Physics)
Herman Gewirtz , and Jonathan S. Wolf M.A. Ed.M.
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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How to Prepare for the SAT II Math Level II C
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Barron's SAT Subject Test in U.S. History, 2007 (Barron's How to Prepare for the Sat II United States History)

Accessories:

Physics: The Easy Way
Physics (EZ-101 Study Keys)
Let's Review Physics-The Physical Setting (Let's Review Series)

ASIN: 0764136631

Book Description

One diagnostic test and three full-length model SAT Subject Tests in Physics reflect recent actual tests in length, subject matter, and degree of difficulty. All questions are answered and explained. An extensive subject review covers mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and all other test topics. Also explained is the methodology used in solving physics problems, a basic math review, additional practice questions with answers, and test-taking tips.

Customer Reviews:

Tough. Too tough for even the writers, it seems.......2007-05-29

I'll put it out now - I ranked top 5% for the NJ science league for physics I . I've had many experiences with questions aimed at really testing your knowledge, and some of these questions do that. But some of them do it too much, to an extent where the question covers information NOT even in the information they cover in their chapter review sections. Worse, there are many glaring errors, both in their review, in their tests/questions, and their reasoning for their questions. Their questions, like i said, aim to test you, but often it only comes off as confusingly worded. Sometimes, the answer they find uses numbers different than initially stated (one question used 125m/s, but the answer worked off 100m/s.).

To be honest, the only thing going for this book is its name - barrons, without a doubt, is tough. But too tough, even for the writers of the book. If physics is not a strong subject for you, then find another book. You will most likely find it easier to follow

Average customer rating:

The bioaerosols "bible"
The Bioaerosols Handbook

Bioaerosols Handbook

Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Aerosol Technology: Properties, Behavior, and Measurement of Airborne Particles (Wiley-Interscience)
Bioaerosols (Indoor Air Research)

ASIN: 0873716159

Book Description

This comprehensive handbook provides up-to-date knowledge and practical advice from established authorities in aerosol science. It covers the principles and practices of bioaerosol sampling, descriptions and comparisons of bioaerosol samplers, calibration methods, and assay techniques, with an emphasis on practicalities, such as which sampler to use and where it should be placed. The text also offers critiques concerning handling the samples to provide representative and meaningful assays for their viability, infectivity, and allergenicity. A wide range of microbes-viz., viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollens, and their fragments-are considered from such perspectives. Bioaerosols Handbook is divided into four parts, providing a wide-ranging reference work, as well as a practical guide on how best to sample and assay bioaerosols using current technology.

Customer Reviews:

The bioaerosols "bible".......2005-07-13

Considered by some to be THE overview reference book for bioaerosols, it covers their physical aspects, sampling, sample stability, instrument calibration, and multiple measurement approaches. It also describes problems specific to residential and industrial environments, including laboratories, hospitals, animal houses, and the particulars of pollen, fungi, molds, and bacteria.

I'm writing this review in 2005, and some of the material is a bit dated. The review of laser and optical measurement techniques gives some good background, but is no longer state of the art. Nevertheless, it is a very valuable reference for anyone studying bioaerosols for environmental or homeland security considerations.

The Bioaerosols Handbook.......2001-07-23

The handbook deals with the subject of bioaerosols on a broad but in depth basis. It deals with the practicalities of sampling, calibration and sample assay methods without being too theoretical. It's style is both technical but easy to read and understand, being written by experts from around the world. Each chapter has its own approach giving a refreshingly different perspective of each aspect of bioaerosol analysis. It's really a bioaerosol bible for anyone interested in biological aerosols and $... isn't bad for 600+ pages with a limited circulation. By the way it's brief specifically excluded viruses, so they don't get a lot of text devoted to them compared to bacteria, fungi etc.

It hasn't really dated that much either since 1995 (I am writing in 2006). Indeed even classic texts like 'The microbiology of the atmosphere' PH Gregory: Leonard Hill (1973) still pack in a lot of relevent data - I still love reading this book as well. By the way I wrote the chapter on Modern Microscopic Methods in the handbook - but I get no payment for sales or endorsement and I think the other twenty chapters are great. The pioneering UK image analysis manufacturers mentioned in this chapter are now long gone, so these days try the likes of MetaMorph, Leica QWin, Image pro Plus, Andora Technology and Openlabs image analysis software (they all work on the same basic principles anyway). Plus confocal microscopes, and other new types like TIRF, are now far more widespread in use.

Why not also try a library loan of :
1. Atmospheric Microbial Aerosols, B.Lighthart, A.J.Mohr, Chapman & Hall, 1994
2. The Aerobiological Pathway of Microorganisms, C.S.Cox, Wiley Press, 1987
3. Architectural Design and Indoor Microbial Pollution, R.B.Kundsin, Oxford University Press, 1988
Or check out the long reference lists in the Bioaerosol Handbook.

Average customer rating:

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Student Solution Manual for Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering Third Edition
Mathematical Methods For Physicists
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd Edition)
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Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences

ASIN: 0521861535

Book Description

Download Description

The new edition of this highly acclaimed textbook contains several major additions, including more than four hundred new exercises (with hints and answers). To match the mathematical preparation of current senior college and university entrants, the authors have included a preliminary chapter covering areas such as polynomial equations, trigonometric identities, coordinate geometry, partial fractions, binomial expansions, induction, and the proof of necessary and sufficient conditions. Elsewhere, matrix decompositions, nearly-singular matrices and non-square sets of linear equations are treated in detail. The presentation of probability has been reorganised and greatly extended, and includes all physically important distributions. New topics covered in a separate statistics chapter include estimator efficiency, distributions of samples, t- and F-tests for comparing means and variances, applications of the chi-squared distribution, and maximum likelihood and least-squares fitting. In other chapters the following topics have been added: linear recurrence relations, curvature, envelopes, curve-sketching, and more refined numerical methods.

Average customer rating:

Classic
Only for PhD's. 1945 Vintage, Mathmatical proofs
Great.

Regular Polytopes
H. S. M. Coxeter
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Beauty of Geometry: Twelve Essays
Introduction to Geometry, 2nd Edition
Geometry Revisited (New Mathematical Library)
Shapes, Space, and Symmetry
King of Infinite Space: Donald Coxeter, the Man Who Saved Geometry

ASIN: 0486614808

Book Description

Foremost book available on polytopes, incorporating ancient Greek and most modern work done on them. Beginning with polygons and polyhedrons, the book moves on to multi-dimensional polytopes in a way that anyone with a basic knowledge of geometry and trigonometry can easily understand. Definitions of symbols. Eight tables plus many diagrams and examples.1963 edition.

Customer Reviews:

Classic.......2007-04-18

I just wanted to counter the previous reviewer. This book isn't intended as something for beginners, and certainly could only be well taught as a graduate level math course. Still if you're able to take in bits at a time, there's lots of beautiful theory and history of higher dimensional polytopes. A book that takes a lifetime to write can take a lifetime to appreciate, and this is such a book.

Only for PhD's. 1945 Vintage, Mathmatical proofs.......2003-07-02

I bought the book with the hope that I would be able to build some geometric models with the information. Instead you get a ton of theory. This book has a 1940's feel to it, complete with muddy photos and very few explanitory drawings. It seems that so many books of that time period assume you already know the material. Instead of making the information as simple as possible, they jam the pages with endless symbols. All I want is enough theory to build the models, not write a thesis.

Don't bother with this one.

Great........1999-02-17

Thi is an excellent text that I recommend to anyone seriously interested in geometry.

The book enumerates all n-dimensional polytopes and aids in visualizing multidimensional space.

Book Description

Over the past twenty years our understanding of polymer solutions has undergone a dramatic evolution. New methods and concepts have extended the frontier of the theory from dilute solutions in which polymers move independently of each other, to concentrated solutions where many polymers entangle with each other. This book provides a comprehensive account of the modern theory for the dynamical properties of polymer solutions. This includes viscoelasticity, diffusion, dynamic light scattering and flow and electric birefringence. Nonlinear viscoelasticity is discussed in detail on the basis of molecular dynamical models. The book fills a gap between classical theory and modern developments and constructs a consistent picture for the dynamics of polymer solutions over the entire concentration range.

Customer Reviews:

Classic.......2002-08-05

Excellent book: but to grasp everything one will need to read through a few simpler texts first, say Scaling Concepts by de Gennes, Introduction to Polymer Physics by Doi, some Rheology book say Viscoelastic properties of Polymers by Ferry and Polymer Solutions by I Teraoka.

Very good, but not for beginners.......2001-02-14

This book is excellent, there is maybe none better that gets into the fundamentals of polymer motion. A warning: I read two or three other textbooks before I could understand this one.

A must for the best........1997-04-13

This book is great. It clearifies many ideas about polymer dynamics. If you want to understand more about this area, there is no better book to start with. But be careful, it was not designed for beginners. This is really great

Average customer rating:

Biomathematics

Manufacturer: Elsevier Science
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0444502734

Book Description

This book presents new mathematics for the description of structure and dynamics in molecular and cellular biology. On an exponential scale it is possible to combine functions describing inner organisation, including finite periodicity, with functions for outside morphology into a complete definition of structure. This mathematics is particularly fruitful to apply at molecular and atomic distances. The structure descriptions can then be related to atomic and molecular forces and provide information on structural mechanisms. The calculations have been focussed on lipid membranes forming the surface layers of cell organelles. Calculated surfaces represent the mid-surface of the lipid bilayer. Membrane dynamics such as vesicle transport are described in this new language. Periodic membrane assemblies exhibit conformations based on the standing wave oscillations of the bilayer, considered to reflect the true dynamic nature of periodic membrane structures. As an illustration the structure of an endoplasmatic reticulum has been calculated. The transformation of such cell membrane assemblies into cubosomes seems to reflect a transition into vegetative states. The organisation of the lipid bilayer of nerve cells is analyzed, taking into account an earlier observed lipid bilayer phase transition associated with the depolarisation of the membrane. Evidence is given for a new structure of the alveolar surface, relating the mathematical surface defining the bilayer organisation to new experimental data. The surface layer is proposed to consist of a coherent phase, consisting of a lipid-protein bilayer curved according to a classical surface - the CLP surface. Without employing this new mathematics it would not be possible to give an analytical description of this structure and its deformation during the respiration cycle. In more general terms this mathematics is applied to the description of the structure and dynamic properties of motor proteins, cytoskeleton proteins, and RNA/DNA. On a macroscopic scale the motions of cilia, sperm and flagella are modelled.

This mathematical description of biological structure and dynamics, biomathematics, also provides significant new information in order to understand the mechanisms governing shape of living organisms.

Average customer rating:

Book was useful then, and is still useful now...
Please buy a different book
Good book but may be not as an intro for the novice
Basic information presented in a lucid form...
Serves itýs purposes, but not meant for physics students

Introduction to Optics (3rd Edition)
Frank L Pedrotti , Leno M Pedrotti , and Leno S Pedrotti
Manufacturer: Benjamin Cummings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Schaum's Outline of Optics
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Optics (4th Edition)
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd Edition)
Introduction to Modern Optics

ASIN: 0131499335

Book Description

Comprehensive and fully updated, this reader-friendly introduction to optics provides clear, concise derivations and explanations of optical phenomena, avoiding extraneous material. Updates material related to laser systems. Updated chapters on Optical Interferometery, Fiber Optics, and Holography. Introduces a broad range of new applications throughout, including liquid crystal displays, CCD's, CD and DVD Technology. Features a more intensive exploration of communication systems than in previous editions. Provides approximately 50 new problems and 50 new or revised figures. A general reference for optical industry practitioners.

Customer Reviews:

Book was useful then, and is still useful now..........2007-05-17

I'd have to admit as an actual optics major, this book served my purposes very well. There really is no way way you can go through introductory optics in 1 semester, which is how all the physics departments do it - it doesn't do the subject justice.

My favorite chapters from the book are as follows:

-Theory Multilayer Thin Film
-Matrix Treatment of Polarization
-Production of Polarized Light
-The 3 chapters dedicated to diffraction
-Fresnel Equations

These are all chapters that don't require Maxwell's Equations at all, even if you knew them. The optical properties of material chapters deals with Maxwell's Equations more or less for the entire chapter.

The laser and subsequent chapters also give you a VERY BASIC flavor of expect in more specialized books.

If I had to recommend a book for actually learning the material and that has worked out problems, this would be the one. Born and Wolf is great, but only as a reference, and still there are flaws in that book as well. Jenkins and White or Schaum's Outline for Optics might be useful supplements, as I used them from time to time. Hecht is not a good book to learn out of, but a good way to learn what optics is all about.

Please buy a different book.......2007-01-03

I took a course in Optics from the author and he used his own book. It was awful. I had to acquire several other optics books to actually learn the material. If you're looking for a good optics book, look elsewhere. Hecht and Zach or Klien is a much better option.

Good book but may be not as an intro for the novice.......2005-05-22

I have given recitations for a course when I was a TA. For my own reference it was very good concerning many matters, when one really needs the problems like reducing aberrations or like multilayer thin film optics or may be even non linear optics, this book is a very honest written book. But I do not know if it is a good idea to talk about aberrations for the people who do not have much idea about Gausssian geometrical optics for instance. Its level is not a graduate level, but, you know, for young people, they do not want to hear about the problems that they may face in life, untill they really do. I still have this book on my shelf, even after shifting to different topics. To me it is a compact and a real life book. Does not talk about myths, tells you the truth of life in optics. But of course Hecht s book is better may be as an introduction, gives a better overall map of the field. If you will have several optics book in your life this is one of them. But only if you work out the problems and think about the reason why they were asked. Every problem in this book is about a real life case in the optoelectronics laboratory and not about a fantasy.

Basic information presented in a lucid form..........2005-05-21

The authors present optics at an intermediate level - not as detailed or complete as Born and Wolf, but it is a mathematical treatment and just slightly on a lower level than Klein and Furtak or Hecht. It is not just a survey. Certain parts of it are extremely good - for example, the chapter on Theory of Multilayer Films presents more useful data on antireflection coatings in a more concise, readable, well-illustrated format than any of the above books. It also presents common applications such as the Snellen eye chart used to measure visual acuity at your opthamologist in an "Optics of the Eye" chapter. Overall, a pretty decent first level optics book.

Serves itýs purposes, but not meant for physics students.......2001-08-26

We used this book for a one-semester undergraduate optics course. Readers should be aware of the fact that this textbook focuses more on the applications, not so much with theory. You only need the first-year introductory physics to keep up with the most stuff in the book, and the problem sets are very manageable with the answers to most problems provided at the end of the book. As a physics student, this made the entire course awfully boring and meaningless. I think many colleges teach optics after undergrad E&M, and if you are in one of those colleges, I strongly recommend NOT using this book as the textbook. Ideally, you would want take Maxwell equations as a starting point and going into diffraction theory, boundary value problems, etc., especially if you have already finished sophomore/junior level E&M. This book treats these only toward the end of the book. Who wants to bother with a bunch of geometrical optics, only to solve different kinds of problems without being exposed to new principles? I think an optics course in physics should be taught in a fashion that the phenomena in relation to Maxwell equations are illuminated. On a good side, I do think the book does a pretty good job of teaching the materials that it covers.

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