Problems and Solutions in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics: Volume I: Introductory Level by Willi-Hans Steeb

by Willi-Hans Steeb

This book provides a comprehensive collection of problems together with their detailed solutions in the field of Theoretical and Mathematical Physics. All modern fields in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics are covered. It is the only book which covers all the new techniques and methods in theoretical and mathematical physics. Third edition updated Exercises Hilbert space theory, Lie groups, Matrix-valued differential forms, Bose-Fermi operators and string theory. All other chapters have been updated with new problems and materials. Most chapters contain an introduction to the subject discussed in the text.

Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

Willi-Hans Steeb, Dept. of Physics, Raand Afrikaans U., Johannesburg, SA

Reviews

[Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am surprised how unknown this book is. I started this book as part of my "rehabilitation" because my work involved so little pure brain power (more numerical stuff) that I lost touch with pen-and-paper skills. This book exceeded my expectations.

The book's exercises at this level is very manageable if you have seen the stuff before, some even look very easy. However, for some problems you need clever tricks and the solutions explained them really well. The problem I had with this book (perhaps it's actually a non-problem) is that the strike zone is so wide: it assumes that a typical theoretical and mathematical physics student would encounter very unusual special functions, familiar with functional analysis (for introductory book!), optimization, advanced complex analysis (meromorphic functions and the like), and differential equations (also difference equations).

My current judgment is that it's my weak foundation as a theoretical physics student that's to blame for my lack of background to completely conquer this book. But otherwise, this book's solutions (apart from some mistakes and typos) have things to learn from, especially when they approach the problem differently from what naturally comes to you. Also, if your background is only lacking for some topics, but sufficiently strong elsewhere, this book can easily serve its purpose by being selective; you don't have to do everything. I skipped things that I don't foresee I will working with in the next two years or so.

I would actually recommend this to anyone who wishes to pursue theoretical and mathematical physics in future, or during graduate school, just as a way to hone your skills. Even two pages a day would clear this book in 3 months, and for many problems two pages can be done in 15 minutes, certainly a timeframe that most busy people can afford to spare.