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March 28, 2024, 09:57:08 pm

Author Topic: Books on quantum mechanics  (Read 6340 times)  Share 

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Mao

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Books on quantum mechanics
« on: July 08, 2011, 02:37:06 am »
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Sup physics majors,

What book(s) would you recommend as an introduction to quantum physics? Looking for something that will teach me the basics of the Shrodinger equation, the different types of subatomic particles, quantum electrodynamics, quantum field theory, etc. Prefer something that includes the mathematical description.

I only have extremely basic knowledge of QM. Kinda in a position where I must learn it but I can't fit in a physics minor.

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Re: Books on quantum mechanics
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2011, 05:34:40 am »
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I don't think you'll find much particle physics, QED, or QFT in an intro to quantum mechanics.

The QM book we used for our course was Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - Griffiths. It is a very good book in terms of introducing the subject, but it focuses mainly on wave mechanics, and I don't think it dealt enough with matrix mechanics, which is a huge part of QM. I've mostly been learning from Zetilli's Quantum Mechanics. It builds a good mathematical foundation with both formulations, and has pretty good explanations with lots of examples.

I haven't done much particle physics, QED or QFT, but I've heard recommendations:
Griffiths' books are generally very well written, so perhaps check out his Introduction to Elementary Particles.
For QED it seems like Feynman's "QED" is very popular. He kinda invented the subject and he has a reputation as a great teacher so it might be worth checking out. Also his web lectures.
For QFT, Mark Srednicki's Quantum Field Theory, although my link is only a draft version.

QM and particle physics you could jump into straight away. Dunno about QED, but for QFT you will probably need classical mechanics, QM, electrodynamics, and a little special relativity.

If you hear any other recommendations, I might have the pdfs somewhere in my library... although it's always nicer studying from a book :p
« Last Edit: July 08, 2011, 05:57:02 am by /0 »

mark_alec

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Re: Books on quantum mechanics
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2011, 09:29:03 pm »
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I too recommend Griffith's Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - easy read and covers most of what you'd learn in an undergraduate course. For a more advanced treatment look at Merzbacher or Sakurai - note that he has two books "Advanced QM" (QFT) and "Modern QM" (QM).

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Re: Books on quantum mechanics
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2011, 09:43:06 pm »
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TT + Physics? Whut.
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QuantumJG

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Re: Books on quantum mechanics
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2011, 10:19:48 pm »
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This is the book that we were recommended for quantum physics Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - Griffiths. The book is pretty good as its a basic quantum physics book aimed at 3rd year students.

Also /0 I'm either wanting to go into theoretical particle physics or mathematical physics, would you recommend doing a subject in sub-atomic physics (an introductory subject to particle physics) or Metric and Hilbert Spaces (a subject that looks at Metric and Hilbert spaces for the purposes of modern analysis, geometry, topology, differential equations and quantum mechanics)?
« Last Edit: July 08, 2011, 10:26:05 pm by QuantumJG »
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Mao

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Re: Books on quantum mechanics
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2011, 12:19:35 am »
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I don't think you'll find much particle physics, QED, or QFT in an intro to quantum mechanics.

The QM book we used for our course was Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - Griffiths. It is a very good book in terms of introducing the subject, but it focuses mainly on wave mechanics, and I don't think it dealt enough with matrix mechanics, which is a huge part of QM. I've mostly been learning from Zetilli's Quantum Mechanics. It builds a good mathematical foundation with both formulations, and has pretty good explanations with lots of examples.

I haven't done much particle physics, QED or QFT, but I've heard recommendations:
Griffiths' books are generally very well written, so perhaps check out his Introduction to Elementary Particles.
For QED it seems like Feynman's "QED" is very popular. He kinda invented the subject and he has a reputation as a great teacher so it might be worth checking out. Also his web lectures.
For QFT, Mark Srednicki's Quantum Field Theory, although my link is only a draft version.

QM and particle physics you could jump into straight away. Dunno about QED, but for QFT you will probably need classical mechanics, QM, electrodynamics, and a little special relativity.

If you hear any other recommendations, I might have the pdfs somewhere in my library... although it's always nicer studying from a book :p

Holy shit man, I love you.
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/0

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Re: Books on quantum mechanics
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2011, 09:41:08 pm »
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This is the book that we were recommended for quantum physics Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - Griffiths. The book is pretty good as its a basic quantum physics book aimed at 3rd year students.

Also /0 I'm either wanting to go into theoretical particle physics or mathematical physics, would you recommend doing a subject in sub-atomic physics (an introductory subject to particle physics) or Metric and Hilbert Spaces (a subject that looks at Metric and Hilbert spaces for the purposes of modern analysis, geometry, topology, differential equations and quantum mechanics)?

Hmmm I'm not really sure... I'm taking a more mathematical approach at the moment. Particle physics tends to be more experimental. If you do courses in theoretical physics you'll eventually encounter and learn about particles regardless.

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Re: Books on quantum mechanics
« Reply #10 on: August 12, 2011, 12:53:05 am »
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...

Edit: I've just realised that I replied to a thread that is about a month's old, so what I said may no longer be relevant or is too late.
« Last Edit: August 12, 2011, 12:58:18 am by Egregious Customer »