Quantum Mechanics an Accessible Introduction

by Robert Scherrer

KEY BENEFIT : Robert Scherrer's text provides a uniquely accessible and thorough introduction to quantum mechanics for readers. Scherrer carefully develops a solid foundation by recapping on the required math and other basic concepts before developing all the major more advanced topics. The Origins of Quantum Mechanics, The Problem with Blackbody Radiation, Math Interlude Complex Numbers and Linear Operators, The Schrödinger Equation, One-Dimensional Time-Independent, Math Interlude Linear Algebra, The Three-Dimensional Time-Independent, Math Interlude Matrices, Dirac Notation, and the Dirac Delta Function, Spin Angular Momentum, Time-Independent Perturbation Theory, The Variational Principle, Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory, Scattering Theory, The Multiparticle Schrödinger Equation, Some Modern Applications of Quantum Mechanics, What Comes Next? Relativistic Quantum Mechanics KEY MARKET : For all readers interested in quantum mechanics.

Genres: Physics

Hardcover

First published August 25, 2005

Reviews

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start this review with a disclaimer - my first Quantum Mechanics was Sakurai. So I can say with certainty that I'm used to quite heavy stuff. In that light, when compared to Sakurai, Scherrer's book is a breeze. After I've read it, I regret not knowing about it prior to reading Sakurai.

This book is really what it says in the title, an accessible introduction. I liked it very much. Scherrer has made a textbook which reads easily. You don't have to battle with each line of text. That's a big plus, especially when we consider the vast number of QM books which can't boast with such a lively writing style.

As for the topics it discusses - I think it's more than enough for an introductory book into Quantum Mechanics. I've only skimmed through the first chapters and the mathematical interludes, but from the looks of it, I think they are very well done. I have an instant love towards every book which has some sort of math reminders, so it's quite apparent why I'm so taken with this book. The later chapters, such as those on spin, perturbation theory, variational principle and scattering are very good, and they contain all that an undergrad student should know about these topics. Unlike the previous reviewer, I have no complaints on the performed calculations/derivation of formulas. The most important of those are done in their entirety, but those that are not are not that difficult for the student to do by him/herself.

[John Calvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my Quantum Mechanics text book in the Spring 2010 semester. Overall it is a well put together book, though it could use slightly more detailed examples. The author has a tendency to skip steps and go straight to results, then expects the student to be able to perform all the steps in the homework. The math interludes are helpful, they allow one to have a brief period to focus on just the mathematics required to solve problems, instead of having to learn the math and physics simultaneously. The only other complaint I have is that the author for some reason completely neglects discussion of the uncertainty principle, though it is seen in the discussion of commutator relationships.

John Calvin.

[Kristhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review for the 9 out of 15 chapters. This book was used for an engineering curriculum and so I am criticizing it based on that I wouldn't have read it otherwise.

This book needs at least 100 more pages distributed between chapters worth of examples and how/why/in which way they matter. Reading it and doing the exercises made me feel like i knew something when, in reality, I know nothing. Of course this is an introductory book, in no way is it aiming to be introducing you into the nitty giddies of each topic but because of this it kind of felt without direction.

The lack of multiple examples, again, kind of broke the book for me. I had high hopes of learning (and enjoying) reading this but i ended up just feeling "okay so?" About one of the most important and interesting fields of our current times.

[Saba]

Please

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detailed explanations made learning quantum physics very accessible! Some of the math gets more complex in the later chapters, but Scherrer does his best to make it easy to understand.