An Introduction to Error Analysis: The Study of Uncertainties in Physical Measurements
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • anyone got a match???
  • Great for first year laboratory science
  • Great "second pass" book
  • Clear, easy, many examples
  • A Review of 'Introduction to Error Analysis'
An Introduction to Error Analysis: The Study of Uncertainties in Physical Measurements
John R. Taylor
Manufacturer: University Science Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 093570275X

Book Description

This best-selling text by John Taylor, now released in its second edition, introduces the study of uncertainties to lower division science students. Assuming no prior knowledge, the author introduces error analysis through the use of familiar examples ranging from carpentry to well-known historic experiments. Pertinent worked examples, simple exercises throughout the text, and numerous chapter-ending problems combine to make the book ideal for use in physics, chemistry, and engineering lab courses. The first edition of this book has been translated into six languages.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars anyone got a match???.......2007-07-25

This book is boring and basically is just another statistics book. if you have some sick twwisted interest in estimating error, buy this book otherwise find something more interesting. if you have to use this for a class, Im sorry, i feel your pain.

5 out of 5 stars Great for first year laboratory science.......2007-01-05

This book is written for the introductory physics student, but it helped me get a good understanding of experimental error in my chemistry lab. The author presents error analysis using simple scenerios and without going too deep into calculus and statistics.

5 out of 5 stars Great "second pass" book.......2007-01-03

Even if you have achieved a high level of mathematical sophistication, this book is a great read. I find myself gaining great new insights to basic principles due to Taylor's logical developments. This is simply the best available introductory text on error analysis.

5 out of 5 stars Clear, easy, many examples.......2006-11-14

I used this book in high school to prepare for physics competitions. This is as good as I have seen it get. I only wish we used this book in college. The author goes through a lot of effort to explain and provide clear examples for every concept.

4 out of 5 stars A Review of 'Introduction to Error Analysis'.......2006-03-13

This text is a valuable companion for students of the sciences, or anyone interested in experimental error, its propagation or effects on experiments or products. Lacking mathematical rigor, the book is great for the beginner or non-Mathematician.
Physical Foundations of Cosmology
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • the best textbook on modern cosmology
  • Congratulations!
  • Understanding the new theories of inflationary cosmology
  • excellent textbook
Physical Foundations of Cosmology
Viatcheslav Mukhanov
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0521563984

Book Description

Inflationary cosmology has been developed over the last twenty years to remedy serious shortcomings in the standard hot big bang model of the universe. Taking an original approach, this textbook explains the basis of modern cosmology and shows where the theoretical results come from. The book is divided into two parts; the first deals with the homogeneous and isotropic model of the Universe, the second part discusses how inhomogeneities can explain its structure. Established material such as the inflation and quantum cosmological perturbation are presented in great detail.

Download Description

Inflationary cosmology has been developed over the last twenty years to remedy serious shortcomings in the standard hot big bang model of the universe. Taking an original approach, this textbook explains the basis of modern cosmology and shows where the theoretical results come from. The book is divided into two parts; the first deals with the homogeneous and isotropic model of the Universe, the second part discusses how inhomogeneities can explain its structure. Established material such as the inflation and quantum cosmological perturbation are presented in great detail, however the reader is brought to the frontiers of current cosmological research by the discussion of more speculative ideas. An ideal textbook for both advanced students of physics and astrophysics, all of the necessary background material is included in every chapter and no prior knowledge of general relativity and quantum field theory is assumed.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars the best textbook on modern cosmology.......2006-08-21

With the rising importance of cosmology has come an increasing flood of textbooks on modern cosmology. While I have not surveyed all the textbooks out there, many of those I have looked at suffered from serious problems. Recently, I had the opportunity of looking at Slava Mukhanov's new book on cosmology and I was so struck by its excellence that I am moved to post a review on Amazon, something I am not in the habit of doing. The bottom line is that I heartily recommend to any student or physicist serious about mastering modern cosmology. Mukhanov is one of the earliest pioneers in inflationary cosmology and a towering figure over the whole field, particularly when it comes to actual calculation, as compared to mere talk, of the density fluctuation spectrum.

Different people have different criteria for an outstanding textbook. I like a textbook to slice away all the obscure and unnecessary formalism shrouding the subject and to get through to the underlying concepts and the important physical ideas. So, dear reader, if you love heavy dry formalism that does not help you understand physics, then this book is not for you. (An aside: from a cursory glance at some of the reviews of physics books posted on Amazon I was amazed by the number of readers, apparently misinformed and misguided, more interested in mathematics and formalism than in understanding physics.)

There is a whole spectrum of books on cosmology. There are the giant compendia of every imaginable topic, but with almost nothing really derived, such as the book by Peacock. Then there are those books notorious for the amount of hype and hot air they blow. Such books apparently really appeal to people who want to "grasp" cosmology without doing any work; they could just read the hype and "be happy." On the opposite end of the spectrum is the book by Scott Dodelson, which is full of nitty gritty, the real stuff that you need to do detailed cosmic microwave background calculations, and which for that reason I highly recommend to students wanting to become professional cosmologists.

I have not read Mukhanov's book in its entirety. I read the parts on inflation and looked at his treatment of density perturbations. I really like his discussion of inflation, which carries the stamp of authority and deep understanding associated with a master who invented the subject. He cuts to the essential physics of the different approaches and wisely refrains from presenting the one thousand and one inflationary scenarios that have flooded (some would say, polluted) the literature. When he comes to density perturbations, he does it as simply as possible, and most importantly, correctly. Students should be aware of the fact that many of the well-known papers on the subject contain errors, as Mukhanov points out in a very helpful and biting footnote.

I recommend this book enthusiastically to all those serious about modern cosmology.

5 out of 5 stars Congratulations!.......2006-07-27

I think this is the best conceptual book in cosmology,
I truly enjoy reading it.

5 out of 5 stars Understanding the new theories of inflationary cosmology.......2006-03-21

Theories are written to explain observed phenomenon. They are then used to predict future discoveries. So long as the theory continues to work, it is accepted by the scientific community at large. Up until thirty or so years ago the model of the Cosmos was a fairly well agreed upon theory. Then slight problems began to appear, until in 1980-81 the author of this book conducted some experiments and developed theories that applied quantum fluctuations to the large scale structure of the universe.

This began the theory of inflationary cosmology that remedied several annoying little problems in the standard big bang model of the universe.

This is a textbook suitable for students in theoretical cosmology, physics, and astrophysics. It might be suitable for advanced undergraduates, but is more likely to be used in graduate level study. Some knowledge of general relativity and particle physics (and quantum field theory) is said by the author to be helpful but not necessary. I suppose that that's true, but by the end of the book you will certainly have some knowledge in this area. I'd recommend a bit of study in other books before tackling this one.

This book is a good single volume work on the modern view of cosmology. It can be used as a text on the subject. Further it contains a lot of information that will be very useful for even the best experts in the field.

5 out of 5 stars excellent textbook.......2006-02-02

Long-waited excellent textbook on phyical cosmology.
Contrary to many other texts on cosmology, which report
numerous facts, this one is self-consistent and derives
results from the first principles, economically
and often neatly. It covers main topics where
theoretical physics operates in cosmology.
Epitaxy: Physical Foundation and Technical Implementation
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Epitaxy: Physical Foundation and Technical Implementation
    Marian A. Herman , Wolfgang Richter , and Helmut Sitter
    Manufacturer: Springer
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    Book Description

    Epitaxy provides readers with a comprehensive treatment of the modern models and modifications of epitaxy, together with the relevant experimental and technological framework. This advanced textbook describes all important aspects of the epitaxial growth processes of solid films on crystalline substrates, including a section on heteroepitaxy. It covers and discusses in details the most important epitaxial growth techniques, which are currently widely used in basic research as well as in manufacturing processes of devices, namely solid-phase epitaxy, liquid-phase epitaxy, vapor-phase epitaxy, including metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy and molecular-beam epitaxy. Epitaxy’s coverage of science and texhnology thin-film is intended to fill the need for a comprehensive reference and text examining the variety of problems related to the physical foundations and technical implementation of epitaxial crystallization.

    Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Mechanics (Advanced Book Classics)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Mechanics (Advanced Book Classics)
      Bernard D'Espagnat
      Manufacturer: Westview Press
      ProductGroup: Book
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      ASIN: 0738201049

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      This book provides a detailed view of the conceptual foundations of quantum physics and a clear and comprehensive account of the fundamental physical implications of the quantum formalism. It deals with nonseparability, hidden variable theories, measurement theories, and several related problems. Mathematical arguments are presented with an emphasis on simple but representative cases. The conclusion incorporates a description of a set of relationships and concepts that could compose a legitimate view of the world.
      Foundations of Physical Science with Earth and Space Science
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        Foundations of Physical Science with Earth and Space Science

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        Special Relativity and Its Experimental Foundations (Advanced Series in Theoretical Physical Science , Vol 4)
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          Special Relativity and Its Experimental Foundations (Advanced Series in Theoretical Physical Science , Vol 4)
          Yuan-Chung Chang , and Yuan-Zhong Zhang
          Manufacturer: World Scientific Pub Co Inc
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          Physical Foundations of Materials Science
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            Physical Foundations of Materials Science
            Günter Gottstein
            Manufacturer: Springer
            ProductGroup: Book
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            In this vivid and comprehensible introduction to materials science, the author expands the modern concepts of metal physics to formulate basic theory applicable to other engineering materials, such as ceramics and polymers. Written for engineering students and working engineers with little previous knowledge of solid-state physics, this textbook enables the reader to study more specialized and fundamental literature of materials science. Dozens of illustrative photographs, many of them transmission electron microscopy images, plus line drawings, aid developing a firm appreciation of this complex topic. Hard-to-grasp terms such as "textures" are lucidly explained - not only the phenomenon itself, but also its consequences for the material properties. This excellent book makes materials science more transparent.

            Foundations of Physics for Chemists (Oxford Chemistry Primers, 93)
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              Foundations of Physics for Chemists (Oxford Chemistry Primers, 93)
              G. A. D. Ritchie , and D. S. Sivia
              Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
              ProductGroup: Book
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              Foundations of Physics for Chemists presents the fundamental physics required for a full understanding of a diverse range of chemical phenomena and techniques such as diffraction, reaction rates and nuclear magnetic resonance. The text begins with a discussion of classical and wave mechanics which allows quantum mechanics to be introduced at an early stage. The ideas presented in these early chapters are subsequently developed to deal with the traditional physics topics of kinetic theory, electrostatics, magnetism and optics. However, the text maintains a distinct chemical perspecive by focusing on relevant chemical examples rather than the more hypothetical examples favoured by the majority of introductory physics texts. The students will find the information presented directly applicable to the concepts and examples that they will encounter throughout an undergraduate course in chemistry.
              Conceptual Foundations of Materials: A standard model for ground- and excited-state properties (Contemporary Concepts of Condensed Matter Science)
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                Conceptual Foundations of Materials: A standard model for ground- and excited-state properties (Contemporary Concepts of Condensed Matter Science)

                Manufacturer: Elsevier Science
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Hardcover

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                ASIN: 0444509763

                Book Description

                The goal of this Volume "Conceptual Foundations of Materials: A standard model for ground- and excited-state properties" is to present the fundamentals of electronic structure theory that are central to the understanding and prediction of materials phenomena and properties. The emphasis is on foundations and concepts. The Sections are designed to offer a broad and comprehensive perspective of the field. They cover the basic aspects of modern electronic structure approaches and highlight their applications to the structural (ground state, vibrational, dynamic and thermodynamic, etc.) and electronic (spectroscopic, dielectric, magnetic, transport, etc.) properties of real materials including solids, clusters, liquids, and nanostructure materials. This framework also forms a basis for studies of emergent properties arising from low-energy electron correlations and interactions such as the quantum Hall effects, superconductivity, and other cooperative phenomena.

                Although some of the basics and models for solids were developed in the early part of the last century by figures such as Bloch, Pauli, Fermi, and Slater, the field of electronic structure theory went through a phenomenal growth during the past two decades, leading to new concepts, understandings, and predictive capabilities for determining the ground- and excited-state properties of real, complex materials from first principles. For example, theory can now be used to predict the existence and properties of materials not previously realized in nature or in the laboratory. Computer experiments can be performed to examine the behavior of individual atoms in a particular process, to analyze the importance of different mechanisms, or just to see what happen if one varies the interactions and parameters in the simulation. Also, with ab initio calculations, one can determine from first principles important interaction parameters which are needed in model studies of complex processes or highly correlated systems. Each time a new material or a novel form of a material is discovered, electronic structure theory inevitably plays a fundamental role in unraveling its properties.

                · Provides the foundations of the field of condensed matter physics
                · An excellent supplementary text for classes on condensed matter physics/solid state physics
                · Volume covers current work at the forefront
                · Presentations are accessible to nonspecialists, with focus on underlying fundamentals
                Quantum Field Theory Conformal Group Theory Conformal Field Theory: Mathematical and Conceptual Foundations Physical and Geometrical Applications
                Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
                • Awkward...
                Quantum Field Theory Conformal Group Theory Conformal Field Theory: Mathematical and Conceptual Foundations Physical and Geometrical Applications
                R. Mirman
                Manufacturer: Backinprint.com
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                Binding: Paperback

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                ASIN: 0595336922

                Book Description

                The conformal group is the invariance group of geometry (which is not understood), the largest one. Physical applications are implied, as discussed, including reasons for interactions. The group structure as well as those of related groups are analyzed. An inhomogeneous group is a subgroup of a homogeneous one because of nonlinearities of the realization. Conservation of baryons (protons can't decay) is explained and proven. Reasons for various realizations, so matrix elements, of the Lorentz group given. The clearly relevant mass level formula is compared with experimental values. Questions, implications and possibilities, including for differential equations, are raised.

                Customer Reviews:

                2 out of 5 stars Awkward..........2007-06-15

                First published in 2001 and now republished, this book is completely different from what you would expect from a "normal" textbook on mathematical physics. It has more text than formulae and the text is more or less a soup of self-citations and filled with personal scientific innuendo. The author, for instance, does not believe in the vacuum being "filled" with virtual particles, notwithstanding the experimental evidence for it, such as the Casimir effect. He calles people who do "believe" it (as if it were religion) "fools". He does not provide alternatives, but merely states his disapproval.

                The text does NOT cover quantum field theory (just some (nearly trivial) basics on the Fock space at the end of the book, which can be found in any more advanced text on quantum mechanics), the conformal group is discussed neatly but not completely satisfactorily, and conformal field theory is treated very poorly (if at all!). Ronald Mirman hammers on "physics respecting its geometry", but does not provide much mathematical background for it.

                Furthermore, the author is an independent researcher, which is underlined by the fact, that he does not know what belongs to a modern education in physics and what does not. He, for example, writes that the value of group theory is underappriciated in theoretical physics, which is absolutely nonsense: mathematical physics, especially particle physics, is soaked to the bone with the representation theory of Lie algebras (and in fact would not exist fully without it, to be frank).

                The first chapter contains the relevance of the conformal group, in which the author does not state its application in statistical physics and string theory (which - in an online article - he thinks is useless and wrong). In this book, he talks about scale invariance of complete systems (and the role of dilations) and the relation between accelerated observers and special conformal transformations, which is interesting but not backed up mathematically much. In the second chapter, the Möbius group is treated on a basic level - the transformation of special curves (intersections of planes and conical surfaces) under the PSL(2,C) group. A bit on the Clifford algebra is given as well, but not much (and it is completely useless in the text apart from mentioning that there are fermions and bosons obeying different algebras). The conformal group, its subgroups and "similar" groups (compact and noncompact versions of so(n,m) and their covers su(n,m)) are given, but this is hardly a plus, since it is either so easy that any undergraduate could do the calculations or it is not relevant. The final chapter is about conformal field theory, but not in the usual sense (see books by e.g. Di Francesco e.a., Ketov, Kaku, Hankel, etc. for that). Mirman tries to explain what fields are and why they are useful, and what conformal transformations might be used for, but does not do much with it. Then, there are two appendices, which are not interesting either (representations of the Lorentz group & what masses of particles "tell" us - sounds more like a crystal ball to me than science!).

                Besides, he says that (a large part of) mathematical literature "tries to hide [its] worthlessness under a pile of esoteric, but meaningless, language", which is more a self-description than a specification of mathematics.

                The printing inside the book is okay, except that occasionally he inserts a Maple code into the text, which does not help anything and destroys the typesetting. The cover looks much better on the picture of amazon. In reality, it is a scan of the original 2001 cover, which has then been streched for the new one (at least it looks like that has been done) and one can see individual pixels.

                The price is okay, although for 15$ you can get much better pieces on mathematics and physics from Dover Publications! Or invest a bit more for QFT by Itzykson & Zuber (Dover) and a CFT book by one of the authors given above.

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                2. An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory (Frontiers in Physics)
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