1. Edition - January 2009
17.90 Euro
2009. 336 Pages, Softcover
- Professional Book -
ISBN-10: 0-470-38188-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-470-38188-5 - John Wiley & Sons






Sample Chapter

Detailed description
Your plain-English guide to understanding and working with the micro world

Quantum physics - also called quantum mechanics or quantum field theory - can be daunting for even the most dedicated student or enthusiast of science, math, or physics. This friendly, concise guide makes this challenging subject understandable and accessible, from atoms to particles to gases and beyond. Plus, it's packed with fully explained examples to help you tackle the tricky equations like a pro!
* Compatible with any classroom course - study at your own pace and prepare for graduate or professional exams
* Your journey begins here - understand what quantum physics is and what kinds of problems it can solve
* Know the basic math - from state vectors to quantum matrix manipulations, get the foundation you need to proceed
* Put quantum physics to work - make sense of Schrödinger's equation and handle particles bound in square wells and harmonic oscillators
* Solve problems in three dimensions - use the full operators to handle wave functions and eigenvectors to find the natural wave functions of a system
* Discover the latest research - learn the cutting-edge quantum physics theories that aim to explain the universe itself

Open the book and find:
* What quantum physics has contributed to daily life
* The real-world impact of 3D quantum physics
* The basics of angular momentum and spin
* How to understand hydrogen atoms, perturbation theory, and scattering theory
* Tips for figuring out complex equations
* How to work with multiple-particle systems
* Classic quantum physics problems

From the contents
Introduction.

Part I: Small World, Huh? Essential Quantum Physics.

Chapter 1: Discoveries and Essential Quantum Physics.

Chapter 2: Entering the Matrix: Welcome to State Vectors.

Part II: Bound and Undetermined: Handling Particles in Bound States.

Chapter 3: Getting Stuck in Energy Wells.

Chapter 4: Back and Forth with Harmonic Oscillators.

Part III: Turning to Angular Momentum and Spin.

Chapter 5: Working with Angular Momentum on the Quantum Level.

Chapter 6: Getting Dizzy with Spin.

Part IV: Multiple Dimensions: Going 3D with Quantum Physics167.

Chapter 7: Rectangular Coordinates: Solving Problems in Three Dimensions.

Chapter 8: Solving Problems in Three Dimensions: Spherical Coordinates.

Chapter 9: Understanding Hydrogen Atoms.

Chapter 10: Handling Many Identical Particles.

Part V: Group Dynamics: Introducing Multiple Particles.

Chapter 11: Giving Systems a Push: Perturbation Theory.

Chapter 12: Wham-Blam! Scattering Theory.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 13: Ten Quantum Physics Tutorials.

Chapter 14: Ten Quantum Physics Triumphs.

Glossary.

Index.