Book Description
The most successful theory in all of science--and the basis of one third of our economy--says the strangest things about the world and about us. Can you believe that physical reality is created by our observation of it? Physicists were forced to this conclusion, the quantum enigma, by what they observed in their laboratories. Trying to understand the atom, physicists built quantum mechanics and found, to their embarrassment, that their theory intimately connects consciousness with the physical world. Quantum Enigma explores what that implies and why some founders of the theory became the foremost objectors to it. Schrodinger showed that it "absurdly" allowed a cat to be in a "superposition" simultaneously dead and alive. Einstein derided the theory's "spooky interactions." With Bell's Theorem, we now know Schrodinger's superpositions and Einstein's spooky interactions indeed exist. Authors Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner explain all of this in non-technical terms with help from some fanciful stories and bits about the theory's developers. They present the quantum mystery honestly, with an emphasis on what is and what is not speculation. Physics' encounter with consciousness is its skeleton in the closet. Because the authors open the closet and examine the skeleton, theirs is a controversial book. Quantum Enigma's description of the experimental quantum facts, and the quantum theory explaining them, is undisputed. Interpreting what it all means, however, is controversial. Every interpretation of quantum physics encounters consciousness. Rosenblum and Kuttner therefore turn to exploring consciousness itself--and encounter quantum physics. Free will and anthropic principles become crucial issues, and the connection of consciousness with the cosmos suggested by some leading quantum cosmologists is mind-blowing. Readers are brought to a boundary where the particular expertise of physicists is no longer a sure guide. They will find, instead, the facts and hints provided by quantum mechanics and the ability to speculate for themselves.
Customer Reviews:
Importance of Einstein's inquisitiveness........2007-10-03
Remember "Blue Velvet" movie and frequently shouting "don't you f@#$ look at me!!" Frank (played with raving mania by Dennis Hopper)? Maybe Frank knew something we do not. But.. jokes aside - it is again about Einstein mostly, and about his two famous quips: "I like to think that the moon is there even if I am not looking at it" and: "God does not play dice". He related to measurement/observation problem and Nature's randomness. His questions, musings and skepticism spawned further research into "what is going on?" bringing quantum physics and consciousness enigma into the light. As we read the text, we learn that physicists can be divided into two groups: these who does not want to enter the hazy border of physics and philosophy, and much smaller but not less respected cluster of open-minded scientists who are not afraid to investigate and ask dipper questions. Second group consist(ed) among others Schrodinger himself and John Wheeler - dreamer and colleague of Einstein. There is something wrong with the way science is conducted, and authors clearly point at it quoting many names and opinions. For example: reductionism may be soon in retreat and reasoning by induction has logical problems. Mathematics is not always a panacea for theory -says Stephen Hawking: "The usual approach of science of constructing a mathematical model cannot answer the questions of why there should be a universe for the model to describe" (string cosmologists take heed!). Even philosopher and physicist Victor Stenger ("The Unconscious Quantum") - strong believer in empirical facts/observations and total critic of consciousness admits that we do not live in deterministic Newtonian clockwork universe. I mention him here because I read several of his books not without pleasure. In conclusion: "Quantum Enigma" is a fascinating and provocative book. The only small disappointment comes from marginal treatment of Roger Penrose's interpretation of quantum weirdness that goes without any need to invoke observers or parallel universes. For details one may check June 2005 Discover magazine. Soon after this book was published, May 12th 2007 New Scientist magazine printed information about planned experiments at the University of California , Santa Barbara. The researchers believe they will have ruled out one of the most popular explanations for how quantum things turn classical and that decoherence theory cannot be correct. Experiment will offer an inside into the fundamental nature of quantum measurement, and possibility to take a quick peek inside the box, glimpse the cat's state and observe "superposition" marching one step at a time. This could be a very profound discovery..stay alerted.
Quantum questions at their best.......2007-09-12
A good concise format for the most pressing quantum questions.
A very good read. Recomended for anyone needing more input on how our peception of reality, changes as quantum questions arise..
IM
Absolute must-read.......2007-08-24
I just finished reading Quantum Enigma and it has left me stunned.
Although I am sure many folks would not agree, I think the topic of this book examines the most important questions facing us humans -- the fundamental nature of consciousness and "reality", and how the two interact. The authors explain how quantum theory clearly shows that microscopic particles behave in a way that does not "make sense". Not only can those particles exist in two places at once, but the theory shows that they only exist when observed by something or someone. And since our everyday macroscopic objects are theoretically made up of those tiny particles, what does that mean about the chair I am sitting on? Is it there only because I am here? As stated on page 156, "There is no way to interpret quantum theory without in some way addressing consciousness."
This is not a "pop-quantum" book like the Tao of Physics or The Dancing Wu Li Masters. Nor does it present nonsensical extrapolations of quantum theory to spiritual phenomena, as in the "What the Bleep..." movie. But it does explore realms where most physics text books do not go -- the juncture of physics and philosophy. It shines a bright light on physicists' "skeleton in the closet", the enigmatic meaning of quantum theory.
The book is written in a friendly and entertaining manner, without sacrificing depth or seriousness. I enjoyed the photos of the great minds of quantum theory - Bohr, Heisenberg, Einstein, etc - the guys who knew from the start that quantum theory required a different world view.
It may be true, in some sense, that nothing exists unless and until "observed"! How can that possibly be? The authors don't provide an answer, but the beauty of this book for me was the courageous and competent way in which it asks the questions. And they freely admit that "The more deeply you think about quantum mechanics, the more strange it seems." No kidding.
--Joel Nisson
A perspective shaking journey.......2007-08-14
The concepts are simple but profound, mind creates matter. This book takes this idea and a few other mind bending, and mind blowing concepts that quantum physics has shown us about ourselves, and our universe and expands on them in a readable format. The astonishing realization for me is the apparent direct correlation between what quantum physics has told us about reality, and what mystics have been saying for thousands of years, especially the Buddha. This book is a must buy for any inquiring minds out there. It will change the way you look at yourself, and the world!!
Excellent treatment of the subject.......2007-08-10
The authors do a great job of presenting the issue. Some of the basic quantum concepts seem a bit dumbed-down, but their focus on the subject of quantum physics vs. consciousness is precise and well-thought-out. Refreshingly free of all the wooly-headedness that plagues other discussions of this type ("The Holographic Universe" comes to mind as a particularly bad example), which hijack science, broadly and clumsily applied, to justify belief in everything from ESP to reincarnation. They stick to the science, and properly so. Quantum mechanics is already so weird, it doesn't need to be conflated into anything else.
Average customer rating:
|
Quantum Mechanics on Phase Space (Fundamental Theories of Physics)
Franklin E. Schroeck Jr.
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Quantum Theory
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Neuroscience
| Neurology
| Internal Medicine
| Medicine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Quantum Theory
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Neuroscience
| Neurology
| Internal Medicine
| Medicine
| Medical
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Science Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0792337948 |
Book Description
This volume is the result of extensive research into the foundations of quantum mechanics, and presents a new formulation of quantum theory which resolves many existing problems. The formalism is experimentally motivated and is shown to be consistent with recent foundational approaches to quantum mechanics. It is based on new extensions of the theory of group representations, which are developed and illustrated in the text. This new approach establishes connections with quantum logic, philosophy, and the history of science, allowing a broad range of applications not only in physics, but also in such areas as signal processing and neuroscience.
Audience: This book will be of interest to researchers and students. It is recommended as a supplementary textbook for advanced courses in quantum mechanics. A background in quantum mechanics and complex analysis is assumed.
Average customer rating:
|
Modern Physics for Engineers
Jasprit Singh
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Circuits
| Electrical & Electronics
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
| Design
| Digital Integrated Circuit Design
| General
| Integrated
| Microwave
General
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Materials Science
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Mechanical Properties of Solids
| Materials Science
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Quantum Theory
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Solid State Physics
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Quantum Theory
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Solid-State Physics
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Condensed Matter
| Solid-State Physics
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Atomic & Nuclear Physics
| Nuclear Physics
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Circuit Components
| Circuitry
| Computer Science
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
Solid State Circuits
| Circuitry
| Computer Science
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Computer Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Science Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Computers & Internet
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Professional
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Science
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Quantum Mechanics - Fundamentals and Applications to Technology
-
Quantum Mechanics (2nd Edition)
ASIN: 0471330442 |
Book Description
Linking physics fundamentals to modern technology-a highly applied primer for students and engineers
Reminding us that modern inventions-new materials, information technologies, medical technological breakthroughs-are based on well-established fundamental principles of physics, Jasprit Singh integrates important topics from quantum mechanics, statistical thermodynamics, and materials science, as well as the special theory of relativity. He then goes a step farther and applies these fundamentals to the workings of electronic devices-an essential leap for anyone interested in developing new technologies.
From semiconductors to nuclear magnetic resonance to superconducting materials to global positioning systems, Professor Singh draws on wide-ranging applications to demonstrate each concept under discussion. He downplays extended mathematical derivations in favor of results and their real-world design implication, supplementing the book with nearly 100 solved examples, 120 figures, and 200 end-of-chapter problems.
Modern Physics for Engineers provides engineering and physics students with an accessible, unified introduction to the complex world underlying today's design-oriented curriculums. It is also an extremely useful resource for engineers and applied scientists wishing to take advantage of research opportunities in diverse fields.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect for engineers.......2000-08-22
This book covers topics in modern physics that are the most important for the engineer. It makes an equilibrated use of figures, tables and conceptual diagrams, thus providing a clear guideline for the student. It also provides small but interesting historic introductions in some chapters, that also help to understand why different theories appeared. This could all be done without forgetting the necessary theoretical and mathematical rigorousness. A very good book for engineers.
Book Description
In order to equip hopeful graduate students with the knowledge necessary to pass the qualifying examination, the authors have assembled and solved standard and original problems from major American universities – Boston University, University of Chicago, University of Colorado at Boulder, Columbia, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech, MIT, Princeton, Rutgers, Stanford, Stony Brook, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison – and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. A wide range of material is covered and comparisons are made between similar problems of different schools to provide the student with enough information to feel comfortable and confident at the exam.
Guide to Physics Problems is published in two volumes: this book,
Part 2, covers Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics;
Part 1, covers Mechanics, Relativity and Electrodynamics.
Praise for
A Guide to Physics Problems: Part 2: Thermodynamics, Statistical Physics, and Quantum Mechanics:
"…
A Guide to Physics Problems, Part 2 not only serves an important function, but is a pleasure to read. By selecting problems from different universities and even different scientific cultures, the authors have effectively avoided a one-sided approach to physics. All the problems are good, some are very interesting, some positively intriguing, a few are crazy; but all of them stimulate the reader to think about physics, not merely to train you to pass an exam. I personally received considerable pleasure in working the problems, and I would guess that anyone who wants to be a professional physicist would experience similar enjoyment. … This book will be a great help to students and professors, as well as a source of pleasure and enjoyment." (From Foreword by Max Dresden)
"An excellent resource for graduate students in physics and, one expects, also for their teachers." (Daniel Kleppner, Lester Wolfe Professor of Physics Emeritus, MIT)
"A nice selection of problems … Thought-provoking, entertaining, and just plain fun to solve." (Giovanni Vignale, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri at Columbia)
"Interesting indeed and enjoyable. The problems are ingenious and their solutions very informative. I would certainly recommend it to all graduate students and physicists in general … Particularly useful for teachers who would like to think about problems to present in their course." (Joel Lebowitz, Rutgers University)
"A very thoroughly assembled, interesting set of problems that covers the key areas of physics addressed by Ph.D. qualifying exams. … Will prove most useful to both faculty and students. Indeed, I plan to use this material as a source of examples and illustrations that will be worked into my lectures." (Douglas Mills, University of California at Irvine)
Customer Reviews:
Sloppy.......2006-06-16
The idea behind this book is good, and the selection of problems is okay. However, there are flaws that undermine the usefulness of many of the problems. All too often there is not enough information given in a problem to solve it, and the solution will assume values for mass, temperature, etc. (i.e. pull numbers out of nowhere).
Some solutions are wrong. The first problem in the book, for example - "Sure, it's fine to sit in a sealed chamber when an atomic bomb explodes. There's no change in temperature because no molecules are escaping. What is this 'potential energy' of which you speak?"
Also, a number of the problems are not as self-contained a qual questions tend to be, and rely on you having solved other problems first (which makes it difficult to pick and choose the problems you do from this book).
And the pictures... are cute, but they are worse than useless. For example, look at P.4.3 and tell me that you expected them to assume the balloon was less than 2km from the Earth. It looks like it's farther away than the Moon. Combine this picture with the lack of information given in the problem and you have no idea what density to pick. (I used the density of the interstellar medium because of the picture. They assume the density of air at the surface of the Earth!)
It's worth looking at nonetheless, but don't buy it. It's put together in far too sloppy a fashion.
A Good Text, Not Perfect.......2005-08-03
Finding a collected set of problems in thermodynamics and quantum mechanics with their solutions is a challenge. A Guide to Physics Problems Part 2 answers that challenge well, though imperfectly. Here are the book's strengths:
- The problems are varied and cover lots of ground.
- There are not hundreds of problems just for the sake of having hundreds of problems. Problems are selected carefully to make sure that they don't overlap concepts. This means you'll do a few problems on each topic, with each problem requiring different skills and techniques. Repitition is thankfully minimized.
- Problems are written clearly and succintly.
- All problems seem "fair". These are concepts I would expect to see tested on graduate level exams.
But there are also weaknesses:
- The solutions are not always crystal clear. At times, I found myself wondering where particular equations came from.
- I found certain concepts not covered well. For example, in the quantum mechanics section, I don't recall any problems regarding free particle states.
Overall, this is a solid and useful purchase. While not perfect, it's still one of the better resources out there for learning thermo and QM.
physics qualifying exams.......2004-10-22
I simply did the problems in this book and then passed the Caltech physics phd qualifying exam for quantum and statistical mechanics. The difference between this book and the standard Yung-kuo book for practice problems is brevity. Yung-kuo simply has too many problems, many of which are very similar, teaching no new concepts. Cahn, on the other hand, has picked a smaller but more meaningful subset of problems. There are few enough problems that you can do them all in a reasonable amount of time, but enough that you hit all the major concepts. I highly recommend it for anyone studying for physics quals, or for an undergraduate with a couple weeks of time who is about to do the GRE. I realize that the GRE doesn't have in-depth problems, but by doing in-depth problems you master the concepts that the GRE does test on.
Elegant Physics Problems and Solutions.......2000-01-10
This book provides elegant physics problems (and solutions) from the preliminary doctoral exams of some prestigious universities. Very good for preparing these exams and also gaining problem solving skills in physics (not only for exams).
With these problems, I also understood some concepts which were not clear before. This book can, therefore, be used as a source for applications of the corresponding subjects. I strongly recommend it.
Average customer rating:
|
The Casimir Effect and Its Applications (Oxford Science Publications)
Vladimir Mostepanenko , and
N. N. Trunov
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Cosmology
| Astronomy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Mathematical Physics
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Quantum Theory
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Electromagnetism
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Electricity
| Electromagnetism
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Electromagnetism
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Mathematical Physics
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Quantum Theory
| Physics
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Electricity Principles
| Electrical & Electronics
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Casimir Effect
ASIN: 0198539983 |
Book Description
Of value to the general scientific public, this is the first book in the world scientific literature devoted to the Casimir effect. This topic has important applications in the fields of elementary particle physics, statistical physics, quantum field theory, gravitation and cosmology.
Customer Reviews:
A Phenomenal Treatise.......2006-11-17
Kleinert's work is NOTHING short of phenomenal.
After reading Feynman(+Hibbs) this is the text to follow up.
Sadly the second edition which is in print contained MANY typos.
The third edition fixes much, if not all; it also has added many new topics of various interest.
The core physics remains as solid, and even clearer than the previous editions.
Without casting aspersions on the presentation:
Make no mistake; this is no comic book.
You will suffer, scrape your gyri, and bruise your ego, but will be justly rewarded for your effort in study.
Consider this an unqualified recommendation.
Book Description
From the reviews: "Anyone who has taught a course of quantum mechanics knows the difficulty of providing practical examples which are within the mathematical competence of the students and can be completed in a reasonable time. In this book will be found 219 problems, together with their solutions, which will greatly extend the repertoire. (...) The first volume deals exclusively with one-body problems without spin. (...) In the second volume the problems cover a wider range and include illustrations of the introduction of spin, the interactions between two and three particles, quantum statistics and the Dirac relativistic equation with shorter sections on non-stationary problems and radiation theory. (...)" Nature, Sept. 10, 1971. "The student who can master these problems will have a good grasp of the practical applications of quantum theory and, therefore, of the basic concepts as well. I recommend the book unreservedly." The Australian Physicist, May 1972.
Book Description
Corresponding to the standard topics covered in established undergraduate courses in Quantum Mechanics, this collection of solved problems is completely up-to-date. The book also includes problems on topics of current interest absent in the existing literature. Solutions are presented in considerable detail, to enable students to follow each step. The emphasis is on stressing the principles and methods used, allowing students to master new ways of thinking and problem-solving techniques. The book can be used as a supplementary text or as an independent self-study tool.
Customer Reviews:
Shade Tree Quantum Mechanic .......2007-02-15
This is a superb difficult book, not for the faint-hearted. It contains solutions involving Green's Functions and Propagators, not usully found in such books. Don't look for detailed solutions to the "usual suspects" - if they're there, they are there to support the more challening problems. The solutions do not always include as many steps as I like to include. Filling them in adds to one's understanding of the method of solution. I didn't always like the path the book tread and followed a different one - at least I had something to compare to 5 pages later. (The book's solution was nearly always (if not, always) superior to mine. But you know "My solution, right or wrong, but my solution!"
The problems are at a level (and some correspond to) the text by Mertzbacher. I showed the book to my QM professor and his response was to write down the ISBN. Not every type of problem at this level is solved and I would get Zetelli's "Quantum Physics" to fill in gaps, say in WKB and Angular Momentum. There are a number of other useful books, for example, "Problems and Solutions in Quantum Mechanics" written in China based on US university qualifying exam problems, and a short, but very good, book from Cambridge U. Press: Squires - "Problems in Quantum Mechanics - with Solutions" which covers problems through time-dependent perturbation theory.
Books:
- Quantum Field Theory: From Operators to Path Integrals
- Quantum Field Theory: From Operators to Path Integrals
- Quantum Field Theory: From Operators to Path Integrals
- Quantum Kinetics in Transport and Optics of Semiconductors (Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences)
- Quantum Kinetics in Transport and Optics of Semiconductors (Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences)
- Quantum Psychology: How Brain Software Programs You and Your World
- Radiation Protection
- Rocket Propulsion Elements, 7th Edition
- Self-consistent Quantum-Field Theory and Bosonization for Strongly Correlated Electron Systems (Lecture Notes in Physics Monographs)
- Sol-Gel Science: The Physics and Chemistry of Sol-Gel Processing
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Medicaid Planning Handbook: A Guide to Protecting Your Family's Assets from Catastrophic Nursing
- Prototype and Scriptaculous in Action
- Late Modernism: Politics, Fiction, and the Arts between the World Wars
- Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany
- Real Frank Zappa Book
- The Immoralist
- Population Dynamics in Ecological Space and Time
- What Smart People Do When Dumb Things Happen at Work: Hundreds of Tips for Dealing With All the Blun
- Living & Working in Canada: A New Life in Canada-All You Need to Know
- Newbies' Money Guide : For Rookies and Late Starters
Many Worlds in One: The Search for Other Universes
The Emerging Physics of Consciousness (The Frontiers Collection)
The God Effect: Quantum Entanglement, Science's Strangest Phenomenon
The God Theory: Universes, Zero-point Fields, And What's Behind It All
Quantum Physics: A Beginner's Guide
