Quantum Mechanics

by Eugen Merzbacher

Provides a systematic and orderly development of the whole of quantum mechanics in terms of its applications to atomic, nuclear, particle, and solid state physics.

Genres: Physics, Science, Quantum Mechanics, Nonfiction, Textbooks

640 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfection.

[عدنان العبار · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for my graduate Quantum Mechanics class, taught by Professor Alexey Zheltikov, and I am really happy I chose this book. It is the best Quantum Mechanics text in the market, in my opinion. I am going to teach my future students from this book, adding a lot to it that isn't there. This book may be considered slightly outdated, in that it leaves many quantum mechanical effects without tackling them. However, for a 600 page book, this is totally understandable.

I really enjoyed reading this book, deriving its equations, solving its problems and exercises, to which I have left very many and will return to them in the future. It is not an easy book. If you want an undergraduate text, Zwiebach's Mastering Quantum Mechanics: Essentials, Theory, and Applications is recommended. However, this comes highly recommended after going through Quantum Mechanics for the first time.

[Sean Stromberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a really comprehensive treatment of QM that maintains a consistent presentation throughout the book. I really enjoyed that it motivates the Schrodinger equation from the Hamilton-Jacobi equation of classical mechanics. This puts the book in a weird place though, because it's an introduction to QM, but you probably won't see things like the HJE until graduate school. Nevertheless, it remains one of my favorite books.

[Curtis Penner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rating is based on the structure of the textbook. The textbook is focused for graduate level. When reading it you should understand it will approach the subject at that level. Now, why only 3 stars for the second edition as the third edition might have improved.

This textbook had virtually no examples. Mr. Merzbacher provided Exercises that the reader would have to work out (hopefully). Many times it appeared that he would just pull things out of thin air, and would say, "It works.". There was no explanation as to why or where did this come from.

Was the book complete? Yes. It went through the check list. But it was as dry as a check list. It was correct in its mathematics and physics. No complaints, but no applause.

This was not my first Quantum Mechanics book, both undergraduate and graduate. Maybe I expected more, but it didn't deliver.

As a reference book, it could fill that role. As a textbook for learning (particularly for autodidactic) not so much. This book would be okay with a good instructor discussing it.

I would group this with Messiah's Quantum Mechanics book(s), in that it covers the material but wouldn’t recommend it.

[Mücahit · Rating 3 out of 5]

schrödinger equations

[Jonathanstray Stray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked my other quantum textbook better, to be honest. Never read much of this one, but it looked good on the shelf.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too difficult and dense for a textbook but great as a reference after the class is over.