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Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles
A revision of a successful junior/senior level text, this introduction to elementary quantum mechanics clearly explains the properties of the most important quantum systems. Emphasizes the applications of theory, and contains new material on particle physics, electron-positron annihilation in solids and the Mossbauer effect. Includes new appendices on such topics as crystallography, Fourier Integral Description of a Wave Group, and Time-Independent Perturbation Theory.
864 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 24, 2009
Quantum physics is notoriously for crushing the enthusiasm of many a young physics student with a massive iron club of mathematics but this is a surprisingly gentle introduction that doesn't sacrifice the theory.
Quantum theory grew out of investigations into atoms and the basic approach of this book parallels that historical development, tracing quantum theory through the study of atoms, molecules, solids, and nuclei. Many other books simply toss chuck wave functions at you and hope that you learn to juggle quickly. Now, I'm a man who likes my theory but some motivation and links to observable effects are always refreshing. Unlike many quantum books, there are plenty of references to experiments and natural phenomena, including nice explanations of lasers, superconductors, semiconductor devices, and more.
The drawback to this abundance of explanations is that much of the mathematics gets swept under the rug. If you require a thorough derivation of every equation presented to you, expect frustration. The author's approach is to introduce many of the ideas of quantum theory, but not always provide a rigorous mathematical background (some is hidden in the wealth of appendices but much is simply not included). That said, this is a great starting point for understanding quantum theory but definitely not comprehensive.
The book also includes two sections on particle physics. Studying particle physics is already like visiting the zoo but doing so with this book is like visiting the zoo on a train. The authors fly through the material so quickly, trying to pack a massive amount of information into the final 100 pages of the book its almost unreadable at points. I'd recommend skipping it and saving yourself the confusion.
Quantum theory grew out of investigations into atoms and the basic approach of this book parallels that historical development, tracing quantum theory through the study of atoms, molecules, solids, and nuclei. Many other books simply toss chuck wave functions at you and hope that you learn to juggle quickly. Now, I'm a man who likes my theory but some motivation and links to observable effects are always refreshing. Unlike many quantum books, there are plenty of references to experiments and natural phenomena, including nice explanations of lasers, superconductors, semiconductor devices, and more.
The drawback to this abundance of explanations is that much of the mathematics gets swept under the rug. If you require a thorough derivation of every equation presented to you, expect frustration. The author's approach is to introduce many of the ideas of quantum theory, but not always provide a rigorous mathematical background (some is hidden in the wealth of appendices but much is simply not included). That said, this is a great starting point for understanding quantum theory but definitely not comprehensive.
The book also includes two sections on particle physics. Studying particle physics is already like visiting the zoo but doing so with this book is like visiting the zoo on a train. The authors fly through the material so quickly, trying to pack a massive amount of information into the final 100 pages of the book its almost unreadable at points. I'd recommend skipping it and saving yourself the confusion.
December 4, 2012
I'm prepping an introduction to modern physics class for spring and feeling nostalgic and sad that this book has gone out of print. Part of it is that this book is the first one I read that made me really LOVE physics, so nothing else is going to recapture that first amazement or wonder at the beauty of quantum mechanics. That said, I just haven't found anything else that makes the introduction to quantum so clear and easy to understand as this one does. It is complete without overwhelming an undergraduate in math (assuming one knows calculus thoroughly) and makes the concepts feel approachable and easily understood.
July 8, 2010
The best text I have ever read (and you actually CAN read it as it's nicely approachable) for introductory to intermediate discussion of Quantum mechanics. Brilliant to get you accustomed to the initially bizarre concepts in the subject although you'll have to look elsewhere for a discussion of Dirac notation and the more advanced relativistic side of QM.
April 2, 2018
Very good textbook. I like that it has a lot of written explanations and clarifications which are very useful. The most obscure parts of the interpretation of formulas are explained in a way that makes it easier to understand. I got lost anyway while trying to follow some demonstrations, the author skips some mathematical steps which were not evident for me and had to check in some other books.
October 29, 2015
There are many amazing QM books out there(Shankar's or Griffith's for example) but this has its own style and offers as much intuition as the other best books on QM out there. At some points it offers more intuitions and at other points less. So having another QM book along this would be ideal for a full deep understanding. But this does not mean that this book is best used as a supplement(second book)! It is certainly suitable for primary book on QM.
Very insightful and deals with some subtle(mathematical or physical) themes at a few occasions.
Very insightful and deals with some subtle(mathematical or physical) themes at a few occasions.
August 23, 2021
I sometimes open the introductory chapters of this book and read them on a Sunday afternoon. just for fun.
October 22, 2020
Disclaimer. I have/read a 1974 edition, so things may have been updated.
Not a bad intro to quantum physics and very elementary quantum mechanics. A focus on solving the wave equation and how to interpret it. The chapter on solving one dimensional barrier problems and calculating reflection and transmission coefficients is superb. You should surely be motivated to get onto a computer and write some sims, or at least download some already written and play around with them.
Having said all that I did find it all a bit dated. The basics could have been better explained. It’s all a bit scattered. Most of the book is about applications to atoms, molecules, solids. Etc. and this just can’t be done in much of a useful way with the tiny scrap of theory developed in the early parts. It all comes across as hopelessly scattered and hopelessly out of date. Well, the 1974 version.
And simply ignore almost everything they have to say about measurement and interpretations of quantum mechanics. The firm admonition to all students back then was ‘shut up and calculate’. But they never actually did it themselves. Sprouting all sorts of pseudo philosophical nonsense trying to explain what is admittedly a very hard problem
Not a bad intro to quantum physics and very elementary quantum mechanics. A focus on solving the wave equation and how to interpret it. The chapter on solving one dimensional barrier problems and calculating reflection and transmission coefficients is superb. You should surely be motivated to get onto a computer and write some sims, or at least download some already written and play around with them.
Having said all that I did find it all a bit dated. The basics could have been better explained. It’s all a bit scattered. Most of the book is about applications to atoms, molecules, solids. Etc. and this just can’t be done in much of a useful way with the tiny scrap of theory developed in the early parts. It all comes across as hopelessly scattered and hopelessly out of date. Well, the 1974 version.
And simply ignore almost everything they have to say about measurement and interpretations of quantum mechanics. The firm admonition to all students back then was ‘shut up and calculate’. But they never actually did it themselves. Sprouting all sorts of pseudo philosophical nonsense trying to explain what is admittedly a very hard problem
January 5, 2021
Esta é uma tradução para Português do brasil. Algo que considero errado é o vocabulário usado: Eu refiro-me a casos como usar o termo "desprezível" em lugar de "desprezável" assim como outros casos (este é talvez muito vulgar). Estas coisas são vulgares nas traduções para Português do brasil.
O livro é essencialmente igual à versão original, havendo uma diferença nos capítulos de anexo. Há menos um anexo e menos o último capítulo (ou está reduzido)!
No entanto, é um livro bastante fácil de ler e perceber os conteúdos, têm exemplos de aplicação e no final do livro há a solução de exercícios selecionados. A versão original tem um livro de resoluções que pode ser usado com este livro sem grandes diferenças na ordem dos exercícios entre as duas versões.
O livro é essencialmente igual à versão original, havendo uma diferença nos capítulos de anexo. Há menos um anexo e menos o último capítulo (ou está reduzido)!
No entanto, é um livro bastante fácil de ler e perceber os conteúdos, têm exemplos de aplicação e no final do livro há a solução de exercícios selecionados. A versão original tem um livro de resoluções que pode ser usado com este livro sem grandes diferenças na ordem dos exercícios entre as duas versões.
December 5, 2024
O livro em si é ok, nada muito especial mas funciona, algumas partes são bem explicadas. A nota baixa é pra essa tradução pra português, que trabalho horrível, frequentemente usam conceitos de forma errônea, algumas questões são quase incompreensíveis (e de fácil compreensão no original), fica evidente que a pessoa que traduziu não é da área.
March 18, 2018
great book
October 21, 2019
Livro denso.
June 2, 2020
The book is good for noobs. At the same time the writing is week with all the excess injection of side comments. The particle information is dated (as expected given the age of the book).
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September 8, 2021Completed the entire book. It covers so many topics and is very long. Five stars!
November 12, 2022
MIT 8.04 Quantum Physics I
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
October 29, 2015
There are many amazing QM books out there(Shankar's or Griffith's for example) but this has its own style and offers as much intuition as the other best books on QM out there. At some points it offers more intuitions and at other points less. So having another QM book along this would be ideal for a full deep understanding. But this does not mean that this book is best used as a supplement(second book)! It is certainly suitable for primary book on QM.
Very insightful and deals with some subtle(mathematical or physical) themes at a few occasions.
Very insightful and deals with some subtle(mathematical or physical) themes at a few occasions.
July 30, 2014
A great into to quantum physics. Eisberg follows the path of discovery of the original scientists from experimental results to mathematical theories. This book can feel more like a novel than a textbook at times, and that's great.
Read
May 8, 2008Studying for quantum physics module in first year.
Read
February 27, 2009quiero leer
July 30, 2013
Muy buena introducción a la física moderna.
December 23, 2015
My new favorite physics text. Thorough overview of the foundational milestones in QM, all the way through the revolutionary breakthroughs of the 70´s. I loved the examples and applications.
December 10, 2016
Best textbook I've ever read. Amazing scientific and philosophical exploration of quantum physics.
February 5, 2020
Bom mas ruim
October 31, 2020
i cant express with words how happy i am to get an A
December 28, 2023
Just a waste of time and paper.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews