Groups, Representations and Physics

by H.F Jones

Illustrating the fascinating interplay between physics and mathematics, Groups, Representations and Physics, Second Edition provides a solid foundation in the theory of groups, particularly group representations. For this new, fully revised edition, the author has enhanced the book's usefulness and widened its appeal by adding a chapter on the Cartan-Dynkin treatment of Lie algebras. This treatment, a generalization of the method of raising and lowering operators used for the rotation group, leads to a systematic classification of Lie algebras and enables one to enumerate and construct their irreducible representations. Taking an approach that allows physics students to recognize the power and elegance of the abstract, axiomatic method, the book focuses on chapters that develop the formalism, followed by chapters that deal with the physical applications. It also illustrates formal mathematical definitions and proofs with numerous concrete examples.

Genres: Physics, Mathematics

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[To Chin]

Extremely clear and lucid, despite containing some math errors. A group theory book by physicist for physicists.

[William Wenborn]

For anyone on a bachelor's level of physics or even those who have a decent grasp on mathematics this book is a good entry-level book for group theory. Most of what you need throughout physics that contains group theory is explained quite well. One minus point is that sometimes the notation can be quite weird and the choice of some symbols can be confusing.