Basic Theoretical Physics

A Concise Overview

By: Anthony Owen, Uwe Krey

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Hardcover | 30 July 2007

At a Glance

Hardcover
472 Pages

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16.6 x 24.3 x 3.4

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This concise treatment embraces, in four parts, all the main concepts of theoretical physics: Mechanics and Basic Relativity; Electrodynamics and Aspects of Optics; Non-relativistic Quantum Mechanics; and Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics. It thus serves both as an excellent review and preparation tool, and as a convenient reference source, covering the whole of theoretical physics. It may also be successfully employed to deepen readers' insight and add new dimensions to their understanding of these fundamental concepts. Recent topics such as holography and quantum cryptography are included, thus making this a unique contribution to the learning material for theoretical physics.

Industry Reviews

From the reviews:

"A comprehensive work covering the material that graduate students in physics typically would study in preparing for doctoral candidacy examinations. ... This book would be very useful for self-study by motivated students, or for preparation for candidacy exams. ... Practicing physicists may find that the brief, accessible treatments of many topics will earn this book a place on a convenient bookshelf. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals." (M. C. Ogilvie, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (7), 2008)

"The book, written by two ... 'working physicists', contains what the authors regard as being 'basic knowledge' in the standard courses of theoretical physics (yet) held at German Universities. ... is primarily intended to cover the 'Basic Theoretical Physics' in a single and handy volume. ... Hence, the book should be considered as being a kind of 'compendium' of ... formulas used in theoretical physics where the formulas are filledin between with some remarks." (Juergen Tolksdorf, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1134 (12), 2008)

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Science Physics Quantum Physics & Quantum Mechanics & Quantum Field Theory Chemistry Analytical Chemistry Spectrum Analysis Optical Physics Engineering & Technology Technology in General Engineering in General Thermodynamics & Heat

Physical Chemistry

Mechanics and basic relativity
Space and time	p. 3
Force and mass	p. 5
Basic mechanics of motion in one dimension	p. 11
Mechanics of the damped and driven harmonic oscillator	p. 17
The three classical conservation laws; two-particle problems	p. 23
Motion in a central force field; Kepler's problem	p. 31
The Rutherford scattering cross-section	p. 41
Lagrange formalism I : Lagrangian and Hamiltonian	p. 45
Relativity I : the principle of maximal proper time (Eigenzeit)	p. 55
Coupled small oscillations	p. 63
Rigid bodies	p. 71
Remarks on non-integrable systems : chaos	p. 85
Lagrange formalism II : constraints	p. 89
Accelerated reference frames	p. 95
Relativity II : E=mc[superscript 2]	p. 101
Electrodynamics and aspects of optics
Introduction and mathematical preliminaries to part II	p. 109
Electrostatics and magnetostatics	p. 119
Magnetic field of steady electric currents	p. 145
Maxwell's equations I : Faraday's and Maxwell's laws	p. 153
Maxwell's equations II : electromagnetic waves	p. 163
Applications of electrodynamics in the field of optics	p. 179
Conclusion to part II	p. 203
Quantum mechanics
On the history of quantum mechanics	p. 207
Quantum mechanics : foundations	p. 211
One-dimensional problems in quantum mechanics	p. 223
The harmonic oscillator I	p. 231
The hydrogen atom according to Schrodinger's wave mechanics	p. 235
Abstract quantum mechanics (algebraic methods)	p. 241
Spin momentum and the Pauli principle (spin-statistics theorem)	p. 249
Addition of angular momenta	p. 255
Ritz minimization	p. 259
Perturbation theory for static problems	p. 261
Time-dependent perturbations	p. 267
Magnetism : an essentially quantum mechanical phenomenon	p. 271
Cooper pairs; superconductors and superfluids	p. 277
On the interpretation of quantum mechanics (Reality?, Locality?, Retardation?)	p. 279
Quantum mechanics : retrospect and prospect	p. 293
Appendix : "mutual preparation algorithm" for quantum cryptography	p. 297
Thermodynamics and statistical physics
Introduction and overview to part IV	p. 301
Phenomenological thermodynamics : temperature and heat	p. 303
The first and second laws of thermodynamics	p. 313
Phase changes, van der Waals theory and related topics	p. 327
The Kinetic theory of gases	p. 335
Statistical physics	p. 343
The transition to classical statistical physics	p. 349
Advanced discussion of the second law	p. 353
Shannon's information entropy	p. 359
Canonical ensembles in phenomenological thermodynamics	p. 363
The Clausius-Clapeyron equation	p. 369
Production of low and ultralow temperatures; third law	p. 371
General statistical physics (statistical operator; trace formalism)	p. 377
Ideal Bose and Fermi gases	p. 379
Applications I : Fermions, Bosons, condensation phenomena	p. 383
Applications II : phase equilibria in chemical physics	p. 413
Conclusion to part IV	p. 427
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

Basic Theoretical Physics

A Concise Overview

At a Glance

Hardcover

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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