Book Description

This book provides an introduction to geometric algebra as a unified language for physics and mathematics. It contains extensive applications to classical mechanics in a textbook format suitable for courses at an intermediate level. The text is supported by more than 200 diagrams to help develop geometrical and physical intuition. Besides covering the standard material for a course on the mechanics of particles and rigid bodies, the book introduces new, coordinate-free methods for rotational dynamics and orbital mechanics, developing these subjects to a level well beyond that of other textbooks. These methods have been widely applied in recent years to biomechanics and robotics, to computer vision and geometric design, to orbital mechanics in government and industrial space programs, as well as to other branches of physics. The book applies them to the major perturbations in the solar system, including the planetary perturbations of Mercury's perihelion.Geometric algebra integrates conventional vector algebra (along with its established notations) into a system with all the advantages of quaternions and spinors. Thus, it increases the power of the mathematical language of classical mechanics while bringing it closer to the language of quantum mechanics. This book systematically develops purely mathematical applications of geometric algebra useful in physics, including extensive applications to linear algebra and transformation groups. It contains sufficient material for a course on mathematical topics alone.The second edition has been expanded by nearly a hundred pages on relativistic mechanics. The treatment is unique in its exclusive use of geometric algebra and in its detailed treatment of spacetime maps, collisions, motion in uniform fields and relativistic precession. It conforms with Einstein's view that the Special Theory of Relativity is the culmination of developments in classical mechanics. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great for physicists, okay for others
This is a great introduction to the Geometric (Clifford) Algebra. It's fundamentally a physics textbook, however. Those readers whose only desire is to learn the Geometric Algebra might feel some frustration at having to separate out the Geometric Algebra from the physics. Readers that prefer learning by exploring applications and examples will like this book; those that prefer explanations in the abstract will still enjoy many sections, but will have to make it through the more applied sections to get the full story.

Reading the book and working through the problems gives a firm grounding in the use of the Geometric Algebra and teaches classical mechanics besides. I could easily recommend this book as a physics textbook on its merits in that area alone.

Excellent place to start learning Clifford Algebra.
A briliantly pedagogical introduction to Clifford Algebra as a unified algebraic language for Newtonian Mechanics in three dimensions. The book is full of applications and nonstandard approaches which simply cannot be found anywhere else. This is essential reading for anyone interested in Clifford Algebras or who wants a deeper appreciation for classical mechanics. This is a lot of book...

Math making sense
The entirely new approach to the mathematical treatment of familiar Physics situations. A very useful tool for a Physisist. ... Read more

Book Description

A complete basic undergraduate-level course in modern optics for students in physics, technology and engineering. The first half deals with classical physical optics; the second, the quantum nature of light. Many applications of the laser to optics are integrated throughout the text. Problems and answers. 170 illustrations.
... Read more

Reviews (4)

There Are Superior Books!
This book by G.R. Fowles sufficies for one or two all-nighter studying sessions where a massive review of physical optics is needed.

The advantages to the book are that it is concise and attempts to cover a small fraction of the mathematics behind physical optics. Yet, there are some mistakes, such as an incorrect presentation of the forward Fourier Transform in the first chapters.

As far as the explanations and motivations for modern theoretical and applied optics, this book does not compare to "Optiks" by Born and Wolfe.

In essence, the books by Born or Hecht make this book the 'engineers reference' in the world of academia.

A Good View of the Forest
This book is well worth the price!! It offers a quick introduction to virtually any topic in optics, from ray propagation, to nonlinear optics, to mode locking. After reading the relevant section, one is prepared to read more detailed books. Also, it's great for equation checking (was that 2*Pi in the numerator or denominator??), because virtually all the key formulae are included and they're easy to find because it's so short!

Fowle's classic still covers the basics 25 years later
This is a classic introductory text on optics, that is still my first choice recommendation when people ask me for a reference to bring them up to speed on optics, optical phenomena and optical devices. It is concise, readable, and not over-rigourous; perfect for people new to the field who need to "come up to speed". Although there has been a spectacular growth in optics and photonics in the last 25 years, the fundamentals one needs to work in the field have not changed that much, and Fowle's text covers the optical bases well, from polarization to interference to lasers to non-linear optics; it's all here in a condensed readable format.

Nice and Inexpensive!
This book is nice and inexpensive. It's pretty worth purchasing! ... Read more

Book Description

Soft X-rays have great potential for use in a wide variety of applications, including the semiconductor industry and the life sciences. X-Rays from Laser Plasmas: Generation and Applications focuses exclusively and in detail on the science and technology of soft X-rays produced with non-synchrotron sources. Using a minimum of mathematical formulae, it discusses how such X-rays can be efficiently and economically generated from plasmas produced by lasers, and how they interact with matter. Authored by Dr Edmond Turcu, one of the pioneers in this field, X-Rays from Laser Plasmas: Generation and Applications will be of great interest to a wide variety of readers, including all those working in X-ray lithography, microscopy, and radiobiology. ... Read more

Book Description

Introduction to Cosmology provides a rare combination of a solid foundation of the core physical concepts of cosmology and the most recent astronomical observations. The book is designed for advanced undergraduates or beginning graduate students and assumes no prior knowledge of general relativity. An emphasis is placed on developing the readers' physical insight rather than losing them with complex math. An approachable writing style and wealth of fresh and imaginative analogies from "everyday" physics are used to make the concepts of cosmology more accessible.The book is unique in that it not only includes recent major developments in cosmology, like the cosmological constant and accelerating universe, but also anticipates key developments expected in the next few years, such as detailed results on the cosmic microwave background.For anyone interested in cosmology or astronomy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Clear and useful
This book is an excellent introduction to all facets of cosmology for anyone from advanced undergraduates on. It includes a slow immersion in the key physical concepts of current cosmology theory, and broadly covers all relevent topics, as listed in the chapter headings. However, the greatest strength of this book is in the decision to forgo detailed General Relativity derivations. Instead of pages of numbing treatment of tensor math and metrics, Ryden summarizes the results of GR that are relevant to current cosmology, presenting the Friedmann equation and the Robertson-Walker metric. While this approach might infuriate purists, it allows the student to understand cosmology from a conceptual standpoint, while providing the mathematical tools necessary for analysis, and is a sufficient general introduction for any physics or astronomy student. It also provides a strong base of knowledge for those who do wish to proceed further into the details of GR. Furthermore, the conversational style of the text makes it much easier to read than any other physics textbook I have encountered. I would recommend any student (or professional) who slogged through their cosmology studies with no sense of the overall state of the field to use this book for both brushing up on the basics and as a quick reference. ... Read more

Book Description

In his monumental 1687 work Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, known familiarly as the Principia, Isaac Newton laid out in mathematical terms the principles of time, force, and motion that have guided the development of modern physical science. Even after more than three centuries and the revolutions of Einsteinian relativity and quantum mechanics, Newtonian physics continues to account for many of the phenomena of the observed world, and Newtonian celestial dynamics is used to determine the orbits of our space vehicles.

This completely new translation, the first in 270 years, is based on the third (1726) edition, the final revised version approved by Newton; it includes extracts from the earlier editions, corrects errors found in earlier versions, and replaces archaic English with contemporary prose and up-to-date mathematical forms.

Newton's principles describe acceleration, deceleration, and inertial movement; fluid dynamics; and the motions of the earth, moon, planets, and comets. A great work in itself, the Principia also revolutionized the methods of scientific investigation. It set forth the fundamental three laws of motion and the law of universal gravity, the physical principles that account for the Copernican system of the world as emended by Kepler, thus effectively ending controversy concerning the Copernican planetary system.

The illuminating Guide to the Principia by I. Bernard Cohen, along with his and Anne Whitman's translation, will make this preeminent work truly accessible for today's scientists, scholars, and students.

"This new, vastly better translation of the Principia is the perfect work for illustrating how science, at its best, succeeds in turning data into decisive evidence."--George E. Smith, Tufts University

"This translation is deeply impressive and will be the definitive version for a century to come. Cohen's guide is up-to-date on matters of Newton scholarship and free from discarded conjectures of the past."--Curtis Wilson, St. John's College ... Read more

Reviews (13)

now there is a good english edition!
[...]
It was very difficult to grasp in Latin (I've had a try on it),
not that much easy in the Motte facsimile translation (I can assure it), and the Cajori-Motte edition was only half modernized and otherwise flawed.

This edition, sponsored by I.B. Cohen (the Latin editor) gives us a fresh, modern English translation of the text, and -almost as thick- a guide to using and reading this all-important book, which is not -as everybody is aware- an easy reader. One word of caution: Newton was, of course, (pace Leibnitz) the discoverer of calculus, but he doesn't use it here, but "more geometrico"
rigorous proofs, much in the style of that other genius of all ages, Archimedes. If you need help grasping the contents and impact of this work, then you must get some book like DENSMORE, D., Newton's Principia: The Central Argument (other auxiliary books are commented in the Guide potion of the book I'm reviewing).

A humbling and awe inspiring experience...
This is the third time I have read the PRINCIPIA. Every time I come back with even greater awe and respect for this masterpiece.

Friends, this is a classic work. Reading this book and digesting the material is an experience you will never forget. Just imagine. Three hundred and some years ago Newton came up with the theory of fluxions (Calculus), the theory of light, the theory of gravitation, and much more. Then reading about it in his own words (here translated from the original Latin); is very humbling and awe inspiring.

A word of caution. The writing is turgid in keeping with the times and because it is a translation. Also, if you are not familiar with calculus or basic classical mechanics the material will require an extra effort on your part. This is NOT a easy read. Therefore, take your time reading this book. Maybe even a chapter a week. After the initial inconveniences believe me you will not regret it. You will be inspired and plain surprised that this jewel of knowledge is so affordable to us today.

A Masterful Translation
When not using this book as a reference, I often use it to exercise. Seriously, the translation from the original Latin has finally paid off. This book is an important part of science and history. One can get into the thought processes of Newton with this book. Having read other translations, I must say that this one is by far the best.

Great
Among a very select few others including the Bible and the Code of Hammurabi, this is one of the most important books ever written. This is where Isaac Newton first publicly put forth the calculus and the scientific method. A tremendous intellectual rupture that we are still dealing with, this book was indirectly responsible for historical shifts such as the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. No mean feat.

The Principa is not an introductory calculus for the modern reader. It is written in Newton's own notational style. This style is different from the modern one, used in calculus today. The modern calculus notation system was devised by Leibniz. Newton's system of notation proved less useful than Leibniz's, and the better one has won out. Leibniz had independently discovered the calculus prior to the publication of Principia. Thus, Leibniz was not influenced by Newton's notational style. Leibniz's discovery of the calculus was made in secret on the continent several years after Newton had made his own secret discovery of it in Britain. Leibniz's work was published only after Newton's Principia was published. This led Newton to wrongly believe that his work had been stolen. An epic debate between the British and continental academies ensued with each side championing their man.

This book has enormous historical interest. For a person who is already educated in calculus, this book will take you to the source of the subject matter, the mouth of the Nile, so to speak. As for the scientific method, this is where it was conceived.

Well-done translation; not in a thoroughly modern in style
There's no point in me critiquing the Principia itself--it's been done hundreds of times--so I'll focus on the translation.

The translation follows the original Latin work rather closely; about as closely as the older Motte-Cajoli translation, in fact. However, the translators have modernized the terminology, fixed many errors, and put many awkward Latin formulations into a modern mathematical notation.

But, generally speaking, the text still feels 1670's-ish. I, unfortunately, was looking for a much looser translation, into a thorougly modern mathematical style. I was more interested in understanding Newton's mathematical thought process than his writing style (which in Latin wasn't quite as pleasant as it was in English).

So, to readers looking for a throroughly modern mathematical style, this isn't it. However, I believe this is still the most modern English translation there is.

Apart from my particular wants, however, I found this translation to be very well done. The translators included a detailed description of their rationale.

As a mechanical engineer, where this work is the ultimate foundation of everything I do, I am very happy to own it. ... Read more

Book Description

This advanced undergraduate-level text provides a formulation of the quantum theory in terms of qualitative and imaginative concepts outside classical theory. A broad range of specific applications follows, worked out in considerable mathematical detail. Also included: an examination of the relationship between quantum and classical concepts. Preface. Index.
... Read more

Reviews (9)

I (think) I finally understand...
The age of the book is what gives it a huge advantage to today's typical QT and QM textbook. Instead of presenting the concepts in the "status quo" of physics (usually just a ridiculously brief intro to why QT started, and then presenting Operators as things almost perfectly synonymous to classical concepts and continuing from there), this book really goes through the history of where all the math came from. Bohm is very careful about teaching you what parts of the math are just convenience tricks (like Operators) versus real necessities to QM. And also what parts are just based on just experiments. Unlike today, in the 1950's, QT and QM were still suspect theories, so students were taught of the known and possible holes (no pun intended :) in the theory. Bohm points these out throughout the whole book.

Disappointed
I bought the book because of the good reviews below and the low price. I was a little disappointed with Bohm's explanations and wordings of concepts that I already know. I think that it'd be difficult for someone to learn anything from this book unless (s)he is already familiar with quantum mechanics. Anyhow, the book is still a good buy considering it is at least 5 times cheaper than textbooks on quantum mech.

A Crystal-Clear Gem of a Book-- Lucid and Insightful
Don't let the original 1950's publication date fool you. This book is as relevant and important today as it was when it was first published.

In fact, Bohm's lucid, pointed three-page preface-- in which he outlines in simple English the three exact ways Quantum Mechanics differs from Classical Mechanics (which I had never seen done before and which few physics students ever really grasp)-- that ALONE is worth the price of this book.

Let me help you understand why, without reservation, I feel this book to be a masterpiece of clarity in exposition.

When I first learned Quantum Mechanics-- and, as I have come to learn, my experience was not atypical-- it was basically axiomatic: "Here are these mathematical techniques. If we do this and that and then that to this function, then we can predict certain things about experimental results." I found this a tremendously difficult-- not to mention frustrating-- way of learning things. Mathematically intense, but with little physical understanding.

I memorized the rules, and did OK in my courses, but what I really wanted to know was: WHY was I doing these things? Where did this stuff COME from? And, most importantly, what did this stuff MEAN?

I got bits and pieces-- only hints, really-- from several other textbooks. When I got to grad school, I was excited to finally learn what it all meant. Unfortunately, my grad course was more of the same type of calculation-- just calculating more difficult things! In fact, I had almost given up at really understanding what it all MEANT, and was ready to take my graduate Quantum professor's advice to "Just learn the techniques and use the stuff" when I came across David Bohm.

In a textbook that is more wordy than most novels-- and yet, in which not a single noun is extraneous or out of place-- Bohm takes us on a clear and exciting tour of WHERE Quantum Mechanics comes from, exactly HOW it developed from Classical Mechanics, exactly how it DIFFERS from Classical Mechanics, and, finally, what it all MEANS physically.

He does this by consistantly referring to experiment, by devloping mathematical techniques as necessary, and by discussing and explaining in clear prose what such concepts as the wave function actually MEAN.

It is difficult to overemphasize how comfortable one feels reading this book--- you feel that you are being guided with a firm yet gentle hand by one who truly understands what it means to truly EXPLAIN something. (For all the praise that is heaped on such texs as the Feynman Lectures and Landau and Lifshitz, they can't shake a stick at Bohm's abilities at lucidity in exposition.)

Finally, after developing the traditional calculational techniques, in the last sections of the book Bohm discusses such alternatives as the "hidden variable" theory in balanced yet intriguing ways, and leaves you wanting more.

If I am disappointed in anything, it would be only this:

Why didn't this Shakespeare of physics authors write more?

Philosophical-Technical
This is a book for you to read again and again through your whole life. When you are an undergraduate, lots of good technical information are found in this volume regarding, for instance, wave packets or the hydrogen atom. As you get more experienced and, of course, if you have some interest in the philosophical issues raised by the subject, the book turns to be a reference again.

A thoughtful and very readable text
This is perhaps still the best way to enter quantum mechanics. This book was not written in haste: there is depth in almost every page. Yet, very little is assumed of the reader, but that he has a genuine interest in learning the subject, and patience to read it sequentially, calmly, and ponder about it. There is, then, no better guide.Do not think you will miss the computation techniques: they are all there. This is a complete book. It will teach you the orthodox view. Then, if you care, read the other books by Bohm, to learn of possible alternatives. ... Read more

Book Description

A Classic Text on Radiation Detection and Measurement Now Updated and Expanded Building on the proven success of this widely-used text, the Third Edition will provide you with a clear understanding of the methods and instrumentation used in the detection and measurement of ionizing radiation. It provides in-depth coverage of the basic principles of radiation detection as well as illustrating their application in a full set of modern instruments. In addition to a complete description of well-established detection and spectroscopic methods, many recently developed approaches are also explored. These include extensive new discussions of semiconductor detectors with unique properties, recently developed scintillation materials and photomultiplier tubes, and several gas-filled detectors of new design. Many other updates and additions have been made throughout the text and two appendices have been added. Over 100 new figures and tables have been included. Key Features of the Third Edition
* Every chapter has been updated with extensive addition of new references to relevant articles in the scientific literature.
* A number of new detection techniques have been added, strengthening the status of the text as the most comprehensive coverage of the topic to be found in any single book.
* The writing style has maintained the readability that has attracted favorable response from readers and reviewers of the earlier editions.
* The author uses his extensive research experience in radiation measurements, nuclear instrumentation, and radiation imaging to provide you with an invaluable resource. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good overview of the field.
This book is a must for anyone working in the field of
radiation detection, and contains a clear, readable description
of the working principles of quite a lot of detector types.
The weaker point is the description of the associated front
end (analogue) electronics that goes with those detectors: it
is a bit concise.

A good point for starting and for continuing
I have used this book for my studies and for working, and it's really beautiful: it starts with basic principles and after few pages you are deep inside the detector, and you start feeling it. The next step is to take an article of Nucl. Instr. Methods and read it.

Question - solutions manual?
I believe that there is an accompanying solutions manual for those individuals who will be self-studying. Nothing shows up on the search. How do I obtain the solutions manual?

Excellent book, detailed on the subject matter and readable
This is an excellent text and considered the prime source for an detailed overview of it's field.

A must-have for any high energy experimental physicist!
This Tome contains so much useful information on the art and science of radiation detection that I hardly can believe I got along without it. Don't let the steep price discourage you. This book is a must-have for any high energy experimental physics graduate student or even undergraduate. It fills many of the gaps between traditional course books and real-world experience and has a series of encyclopedic bibliographies to boot ... Read more

Book Description

Updated to reflect recent SAT II Physics tests, this manual presents a diagnostic test and three additional full-length model tests with all questions answered and explained. A detailed subject review covers all SAT II Physics topics and reviews the required math skills. Also featured are additional practice questions with answers. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Disappointment
I've bought this book because of the high reputation Barrons has maintained in the SATs world. I recently took the June 01 Physics SAT II, and I now reflect. This book does cover most topics in detail; however, it fails to provide accurate model exams. Because the College Board has never released any copies of SAT II physics exams, Barrons was forced to put together the tests and the book blindly. Anyway, I read this book three times thoroughly and I have an A average in physics at school. This book is a big disappointment for this subject test.

In fact, I went to [a store] the next day to see if any other prep book had an accurate model exam. Guess what? I found the Princeton Review book so accurate that it had about 14 similar questions from the test. So, buyers beware. Don't buy this book because you'll just screw up a SAT score. For this subject, buy the Princeton Review version. But, for biology and chemistry, use Kaplan.

DON'T BUY THIS BOOK!!!!
This book is a TERRIBLE review book. I took introductory physics this year (I'm in high school) and I have a B+ average so I was expecting a decent grade. The questions they ask you in this book are NOT the questions you see on the test. They are much harder and involve more problem solving... the thing is, on the real test, it is mostly conceptual, with very little problem solving (thus, you are not allowed to use a calculator). I ended up not being very familiar with the questions they asked and I got a 580, which I'm very disappointed with (and it's kind of pathetic considering I took physics for a whole year!). There are tricks to EVERY SAT TEST. Most of the other books tell you what to look for and how to eliminate answers, etc. This book expects you to learn information, which is pretty darn impossible, even if you have taken a physics course. Look for a book that explains how to solve problems without having to know everything physics related, because I know there has to be a way. I am taking this test again and I am DEFINATELY not using this book!!!!

BAD BOOK TO STUDY WITH
I bought this book cause the barron's SAT II Math IIC worked for me (800). I basically don't have knowledge in Physics so I tried to study this book really hard in order to get at least over 600. This book is hard to understand, doesn't have many examples, it's really hard to follow the format, boring, and you have to read the stuff that you don't understand. This book brought me solid 540 in my test, and for next SAT II Physics test, I'm not using this book to study. Especially the explanations for the questions are really hard to understand.

The Cover Looks Good!!!
This book is for a laugh. If this is your last week or so in preparing for the test and this is the only resource u have, I will consider urself "screwed". Its true that this book is concise, but it is so abridged that if u don't already know the material, you will end up staring blankly at the pages and trying to find other references. Personally, physics puts me to sleep, but this book just makes it even worse. The quality of the print is so bad that it drags u into a hypnotic state. Also, some questions contain wrong answers. When reading the book, if u already know some physics, u will find that they cut out a lot of important stuff and the topics r not organized properly in the book. If u want to score high and go into some elite but expensive university, I urge u not to buy this book; even reading this wasteful editorial is more useful than reading the book. This book is a symbol of evil and should not be trusted. I'm dead serious about this. Go get princeton or watever; leave this book to your last choice. Out of pity, I gave this book 2 stars. Its just sad, very sad. If its not for my kindness, this book properly rate negative 2 stars. Wish u test takers good luck and score an 800 like me =)

Like many people who are so angry about this book~
I have studied a lot of physics in the last few years, and I've eventually learned enough physics to get me through half of college - I even got a gold medal in the IPhO~

As someone who have studied physics that much, I were able to understand what the authors have originally intended to do when they wrote this book. But not all people are using this book just for last-minute reviews. I'd say that without a complete understanding of basic concepts, this book would confuse you.

The problems in the back aren't very close to the real tests, and I agree it contains a lot of errors. But if you have a firm basis on physics, and just want to solve some problems before the actual test, it's okay. It's a lot more difficult than the real one, so there won't be any surprises on the test day. Just use this book with some other one - this just isn't enough! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

On the right track, but...
Mr Goswami appears to be on the right track with this research, however where the book falls down is that the sources he cites in support of his argument seem to be taken at such face value. I find this lack of 'scientific' methodology quite surprising since he has taught physics for 32 years. Certainly I agree with Mr Goswami that the standard 'proofs' are not available for this work, but even so, he needs to find a middle road, so that it doesn't just end up as just another 'new age' book. And that would be a shame! Somewhat different, but a good example would be 'Old Souls : Compelling Evidence from Children Who Remember Past Lives' by Thomas Shroder. In addition, chatty idea's sessions with his wife, limit one's ability to take his writing seriously. Finally, Mr Goswami should pick up the phone and call his publisher, who just-so-happens to publish 'Astral Dynamics: A New Approach to Out-of-Body Experiences' by Robert Bruce. Goswami will have many questions answered by reading this book. And, in the case of Bruce, I was willing to ignore any lack of scientific method, because from the moment you pick up the book, you KNOW that he knows what he is talking about. By comparison, Bruce's book is a groundbreaker.

The esoteric made understandable
When death occurs in the family, our rational minds cry out to know more about life after death. Religions offer consolation that God is love and there is heaven beyond, but we wonder if there are any confirmations from studies of human minds which open doors to the after-life. Accordingly we have eagerly picked up books promising answers only to be quickly disappointed. Too many scientific words such as collective unconscious, determinism, morphogenetic fields, non-locality, etc., at best leave our minds only dimly grasping the author's intent. Reading into other cultures about dharma, maya, moksha, jivanmukta and vedanta, will cause us to send another promising book back to the library, or our lower book shelves, unread.
Aware of this too often encountered problem, the author of Physics of the Soul, has included a thirteen page glossary explaining the meaning and purpose of the lesser known words he has used. To those attempting to become adequate in reading this and similar books, such a service is a godsend. Using Goswami's glossary, we can not only understand his Physics of the Soul, but also, find light from numerous books previously beyond our comprehension.
Amit Goswami, along with other writers who have given many lectures and workshops, is aware of certain frequently asked questions. These he thoughtfully answers in chapter eleven. Here again, Physics of the Soul should draw, and hold, a much wider circle of readers than most books on similar esoteric concerns.

Physics of the Soul
English is obviously not the native language of Mr.Goswami. There is no flow to his writings. He also has a knack of making simple concepts seem complicated. Although there is good content and direction in his book, the considerable energy needed to complete it, may make it not worth the effort. This book is best suited for a retired person with unending time and patience, and a knack for converting Sanskrit into English. ... Read more

Book Description

A concise, accessible introduction to this exciting and dynamic subject.
* Adopts an approach grounded in physics rather than mathematics.
* Includes worked examples and student problems, along with hints for solving them and the numerical answers.
* Many reviewers have commented that this is one of the best 'introductory undergraduate level' texts on the subject and they would all welcome a Second Edition. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A concise and accessible overview.
This is a highly readable introduction to Cosmology. The author states clearly that the approach is grounded in physics rather than mathematics and indeed, any reader with a basic grasp of single-variable calculus would cope with the derivations that are presented. Its ready accessibility would make it an enjoyable introduction for those working on their own wanting more than a 'popular 'account of Cosmology.I have adapted and used some of the material and problems for my year 13 physics class.

The main body of the book is self-contained and requires no further material for the interested reader to get to grips with the rudiments of the standard cosmological models. More complex results are stated without derivation and some are used as the basis for the exercises. The 'Advanced' topics require a little more of the reader and are presented as brief summaries rather than being rigorous. For example ,the chapter on General Relativistic Cosmology is 'for those readers who have experienced some general relativity'. As a teacher of physics,I found this book to be a very useful addition to my library.

Best elementary Book on Cosmology.
This is the clearest book on Cosmology available. It is also the most up-to-date. Some math is used, so it is not a book for absolutely everyone. I would say it is for beginning undergraduates, but more advanced readers will get more from the "Advanced Topic" sections. Many problems are included. The advanced readers will have to solve them all, to really get all the book has to offer.
The price per page is high, compared to the Cambridge and Princeton paperbacks.

An excellent introduction
I came across this book because it was required reading for my cosmology course. The book gives a Newtonian (it only briefly mentions the much more complicated General Relativity equations) overview of the current theories about the universe: its mass, its age, its shape and its ultimate destiny. The text is very readable, equations are explained properly and the diagrams are useful. The reader is left with a good impression of why the currently proposed cosmological models are sensible.

The book puts the case for the hot big bang model, which is by far the most popular cosmological model at this time. There is a chapter on the successes of this model: explanation of the cosmic background radiation, universal expansion, and the relative abundance of elements in the early universe. There follows a chapter on the major problems of this model: how come the background radiation looks the same (to within one part in a hundred thousand) everywhere, even when light hasn't had time to travel between all these regions? How did the universe become structured (into things such as stars) when physics predicts that matter should be homogeneously spread? And why does the universe (seemingly) possess the exact right density (to almost infinitessimal precision) to stay flat, as we see it today? Inflation theory offers some help, but at the same time asks a bigger question: which of the many inflation theories (if any) is right? Liddle doesn't go into much detail on this point, but you get a good introduction into what inflation is and why such an odd theory would be proposed.

I'm making it sound as if the big bang model has more problems than it solves, which I don't think it does (heck, it's the best theory we've got). But the problems are more interesting!

On which subject, there are problems (solvable ones!) at the end of each chapter, with brief solutions at the end of the book.

clear as crystal
This book is the most clearly written book I have ever read. Liddle has a knack for making difficult concepts easy to comprehend through his use of analogies and vividly accurate descriptions. The cosmological ideas are explained at an intuitive level and have been imprinted on my mind forever. This book is a great introduction for the less mathematically minded though also a great source of information for others. This book book covers a great amount of cosmology the big bang, nucloesynthesis, inflation, cosmological models etc and is set out in a very logical order. I would thoroughly recommend this as an introduction although for those interested in more mathematical rigour other text books may be necessary.

Well done Dr. Liddle ! A great achievement .............

Its cool
Dr Liddle was my academic tutor at Imperial College, London.

I have every trust that his books is as clear as his tutorials. ... Read more

Book Description

Professor Phillips provides an accurate exploration and solid foundation for students and researchers of this fast-growing field.

Solid state physics continues to be the fastest-growing sub-discipline in physics. This much anticipated new book provides ample background that underpins the principles of solid state physics, and moves quickly to an overview of current research in this fast-moving field. Upper division undergraduates and graduate students in physics who wish to pursue solid state physics research must master old topics, as well as problems of current interest. This book serves that purpose, and fills students' needs. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A friendly, good introduction for all the modern concepts
The author gives a very good introduction to the topics most researchers in the Condensed Matter community are intersted in. This is good for both theorists and experimentalists as beginners. For theorists, this book gives quickly physics images, which is relatively much easier than reading all the original papers; for experimentalists, this gives very good reviews what the theorists are working about and how are they related to the real world, while NOT MUCH MATH is needed for going through this book.
So this book helps any beginner in the Condensed Matter research to go to the frontier quickly.
I also llike the free-style language the author used in this book --- reading the book is like talking with a friend in the tea time.
One thing I don't like about the book is, for some critical topics (like the localizations), the author tried to explain some hard problems in an easy way, while sometimes he failed in doing it clearly and precisely. But again this book is not a math book, and the clear physics pictures it describes already make it one of the best introductory textbooks for these "advanced" topics.

A friendly, good introduction for all the modern concepts
The author gives a very good introduction to the topics most researchers in the Condensed Matter community are intersted in. This is good for both theorists and experimentalists as beginners. For theorists, this book gives quickly physics images, which is relatively much easier than reading all the original papers; for experimentalists, this gives very good reviews what the theorists are working about and how are they related to the real world, while NOT MUCH MATH is needed for going through this book.
So this book helps any beginner in the Condensed Matter research to go to the frontier quickly.
I also llike the free-style language the author used in this book --- reading the book is like talking with a friend in the tea time.
One thing I don't like the book is, for some critical topics (like the localizations), the author tried to explain some hard problems in an easy way, while sometimes he failed in doing it clearly and precisely. But again this book is not a math book, and the clear physics pictures it describe already make it one of the best introductory textbooks for these "advanced" topics.

A concise but thorough treatment of Adv. Solid State !
I just attended a course based on this book and all I can say is wow.
P. Philips avoids falling into excessive formalism and manages to present
the essence of each subject.

Readers with preparation in the introductory S. State will certainly
benefit from the straight and insightful treatment of the subjects.

It gives solid state physics a new look
This book is a really good one. It gives a really new look for solid state physics. It covers most branches of last develop of solid state physics but it isn't so hard to be understant. ... Read more

Book Description

Emphasizes the theory of semiconductor optoelectronic devices, demonstrating comparisons between theoretical and experimental results. Presents such important topics as semiconductor heterojunctions and band structure calculations near the band edges for bulk and quantum-well semiconductors. Details semiconductor lasers including double-heterostructure, stripe-geometry gain-guided semiconductor, distributed feedback and surface-emitting. Systematically investigates high-speed modulation of semiconductor lasers using linear and nonlinear gains. Features new subjects such as the theories on the band structures of strained semiconductors and strained quantum-well lasers. Covers key areas behind the operation of semiconductor lasers, modulators and photodetectors. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent book for basic physics of optoelectronics
The book starts with the very basic equations of electromagnetic and semiconductor theory and builds up to more advanced topics such as band structure calculations for semiconductors including strained quantum wells, various optical transitions processes, optical absorption spectra, etc. In addition, the book covers the basic theory of laser cavity resonance and this includes the distributed feedback laser theory. Various waveguide, electro-optical modulators and photodetector principles are also treated in clear detail. The book brings you up to the level of which the research papers in the optoelectronic area has been written. ... Read more

Book Description

The study of the electronic structure of materials is at a momentous stage, with the emergence of new computational methods and theoretical approaches.This volume provides an introduction to the field and describes its conceptual framework, the capabilities of present methods, limitations, and challenges for the future. Many properties of materials can now be determined directly from the fundamental equations of quantum mechanics, bringing new insights into critical problems in physics, chemistry, and materials science. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Outstanding
This book was recommended to me to help me in my research, and has turned out to be one of the best recommendations I have ever received. This is a great book; by far the best I have come across on the topic of computing the properties of condensed phase materials by quantum mechanical simulations. Here are the reasons why.

1. The chapters are well laid out and one chapter flows neatly to the next.

2. The math is kept to a minimum; the author makes a point of communicating important principles and ideas in concise sentences without resorting to derivations. This is ideal for engineers like me; who by training do not know that much math as compared to physicists who specialize in the solid state.

3. Important ideas are clarified up front. Many texts will lead the reader through long and windy paths of proofs and logic before arriving at the conclusion; thereby losing their reader in the process. Not here; important points are stated clearly at the beginning and at the end of each section.

4. Compare, contrast, and context. There are many ideas, models, approximations, and theorems that have been developed in the past century related to electronic structure. Many of these are closely related to each other in their inspiration, derivation, practice, and/or applications. This book makes the connections between the different concepts. For a non-expert reading through the electronic structure literature, terms like APW, OPW, PAW, LAPW, LMTO, etc... can be quite confusing if not placed within an overriding context. This book provides that context.

5. Good use of appendices. Electronic structure is a lot like politics; most practicioners in either field did not receive formal educations in the subject, but instead got into it under the apprenticeship of other people. This is reflected by a lot of literature by those who succeeded in the field; most of it good in showing of the authors' achievements, but generally useless in preparing the next generation of practicioners. For electronic structure, this is manifested by the many books that require prior knowledge of quantum, thermo, crystallography, mat sci, etc.. In effect, these books were written by experts to be read by other experts. Not this book. Basic ideas are kept in the text; and specific proofs and derivations are kept in the appendices. The result is a text that is much easier to read than most others.

6. The book is concept driven; not application driven. Most texts in materials simulations are actually a compilation of chapters written independently by multiple authors. Each chapter might be given a general title; but the text will be bias towards the research of its authors. For example, a chapter on surface calculations might focus entirely on adsorption, or relaxation/reconstruction, or optical properties; but surely not touching all these subjects. This book does not do this; each chapter is driven by basic concepts, and one concept leads to the next.

In all, this is a great textbook and a handy reference book. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Chaos, that is irregular dynamical behaviour, is ubiquituous in nature and occurs in a wide range of systems including lasers, fluids, etc., heart beats and brain waves. Before 1990 the emergence of chaos in a system was mostly considered as a nuisance because chaotic systems are hard to predict due to their sensitivity to small perturbations. After 1990it became clear that this sensitive dependence offers the unique possibility to control these systems with a minimum of additional energy.

This handbook provides a comprehensive up-to-date overview of the field. It starts with an introduction to chaos theory, and covers all known methods of chaos control from parametric feedback to neuronal networks. A large part of the handbook is devoted to applications which range from control of electronic circuits, the control of lasers and chemical plants up to "antichaos control" in biological systems which offers the possibility to avoid epileptic seizures. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Controlling a Chaotic System
A few years ago, researchers studying chaos came to a realisation that it might be possible to apply some elements of control systems onto it, taking advantage of the intrinsic chaotic nature to minimise the amount of energy input needed.

In essence, researchers were trying to take the paradigm of a butterfly flapping its wings and affecting a cyclone an ocean away, and use it. The book seems to have a well chosen summary of such research intents, applied across various fields. Progress has been good; though currently no headline grabbers.

While it does provide a quick introduction to chaos theory at the start of the book, you might need prior acquaintance. It is not the aim of the book to teach you chaos theory but to apply it. ... Read more

Book Description

From science fair entrants to Nobel laureates, researchers around the world depend upon having access to authoritative, up-to-date data. And for nearly 90 years, they have relied on the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics for that data.This year is no exception. New tables, extensive updates, and added sections mean the Handbook has once again set a new standard for reliability, utility, and thoroughness.Outstanding features of the 83rdedition:·Standard Thermodynamic Properties of Chemical Substances-Thoroughly revised with new substances and updated values·Ionization constants for buffers used in biological research-Definitive data that allow the correct interpretation of experiments·Directory of Physical and Chemical Data Sources-A selective listing of the most reliable sources of physical and chemical properties data, including data journals, data centers, major handbooks, and Internet sites ·Atomic weights-Updated with the latest changes adopted by IUPAC in 2001Other refinements and new topics include:·Atomic and Molecular Polarizabilities Updated·Characteristic Bond Lengths in Free Molecules New!·Correction of Barometer Readings to 0°C Temperature New!·Electron AffinitiesUpdated·Eutectic Temperatures of Low-Melting Alloys New!·Nuclear Spins and Moments for NMR Spectroscopy Updated·Permittivity of Water as a Function of Temperature and Pressure New!·Sensitivity of the Human Eye to Light of Different Wavelengths New!·Thermodynamic Functions and RelationsNew!·Vapor Pressure of Mercury New!·Viscosity and Density of Concentrated Hydroxide Solutions New!·Viscosity of Liquid Metals New! ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Absolutely Essential for Physical Scientists
For those that for some reason work in the realm of physical science that have never heard of this book: Buy it now. It is essential. Probably the greatest reference book for the physical sciences ever bound under one cover. Contains tables, pictures and formulas that are essential to working in science. THE refernce book.

Excellent source of conversion tables&chemistry information
This book contains several different tables including: conversion tables for nearly every conceivable unit of measure, physical properties of thousands of organic and inorganic compounds, minerals, chemical bond strength information, superconductors, semiconductors, caloric values of food, polymers

A FORMIDABLE SUPERLATIVE GEM
Very useful and very relevant, nearly all the chapters of this edition of "CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics" have been revised. The book is up-to-date, and provides extensive coverage on all the significant physico-chemical phenomena. Chemists, physicists, biochemists, engineers, pharmacists, and other scientists and professionals would value this textbook. Its CD-ROM version would be of great benefit to mobile users.
I was impressed by the way it analyzed molecular interactions in each of the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Electron transfer, and transformations of pure substances were the focus here. Its biochemical section simplified many of the physiological reactions that are often considered complex.
In the same vein, I am certain that most readers would appreciate the classical exposure which optics, thermodynamics, geophysics, nuclear chemistry, and atomic physics sections received. All the recent advances in rotational and vibrational spectroscopy were included. David Lide did a commendable job in moulding this 2700-paged single-volume gem.
Each chapter indulged in practical analysis; with suggestions on how to improve day-to-day applications. Safety measures, as well as guidelines on how to cope with industrial and laboratory hazards were provided. Also, further information sources were made avalaible in one of its numerous appendices.
This is surely an outstanding text: no major weaknesses! It is a formidable reference tool that would please scientists and allied professionals. I recommend it with all pleasure!

a critical reference for chemists
While this doesn't contain *everything* for a single topic, it certainly contains all that a chemist usually needs for easy reference about chemistry and physics.

If you (or your current copy of the CRC) are a bit older, you'll probably find some sections in the new edition missing - e.g., no more trigonometry tables with the proliferation of cheap calculators - and new things added. This is the sort of book which has SO much stuff, you will never use it all - but it will (almost) always be able to help you.

This is the one reference book I was willing to pay for out of pocket, whether or not my employer paid for it.

I found a 1927 copy of this at a used book store a few years ago ... - I still have it, and believe it or not, I do use it. It's got really neat stuff the modern editions don't. Which is why you shouldn't hesitate to drop [money] for one today. It will still be useful 60 years from now.

This is not the sort of thing I would replace annually!

What's to say?
This is THE reference book used by all chemists and physicists. If you need it, buy it. Beats fighting over old beat up copies at school or library. ... Read more

Book Description

Nobel laureate Erwin Schrödinger's What is Life? is one of the great science classics of the twentieth century. A distinguished physicist's exploration of the question which lies at the heart of biology, it was written for the layman, but proved one of the spurs to the birth of molecular biology and the subsequent discovery of the structure of DNA. The philosopher Karl Popper hailed it as a 'beautiful and important book' by 'a great man to whom I owe a personal debt for many exciting discussions'. It appears here together with Mind and Matter, his essay investigating a relationship which has eluded and puzzled philosophers since the earliest times. Schrodinger asks what place consciousness occupies in the evolution of life, and what part the state of development of the human mind plays in moral questions. Brought together with these two classics are Schrödinger's autobiographical sketches, published and translated here for the first time. They offer a fascinating fragmentary account of his life as a background to his scientific writings, making this volume a valuable additon to the shelves of scientist and layman alike. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A Classic
What is Life? is an absolute classic. Schrodinger felt that life must be explainable by physics and chemistry, yet seemed to violate the normal behavior of entropy-- and he understood further that this was a remarkable wedge point to explore. He figured out the explanation: life is the result of evolution of genetic information, which selects for complex processes that by ordinary considerations would be very unlikely. He predicted that there must be a molecule capable of carrying the genetic information (incorrectly thinking it would be a protein.) His beautifully-written book was influential and timely. Within 4 years, Von Neumann elucidated the mechanisms involved in self-reproducing automata (illustrating his abstract discussion with a picture looking remarkably like DNA to the eyes of readers today); and within a decade, Watson and Crick grasped the structure of DNA. You should not read Schrodinger's book today as one of your first sources to understand life-- there has been remarkable progress in the 50 years since Watson and Crick-- but you should read it to gain appreciation for how science can be advanced when the time is ready and a wedge point, an apparent conflict between fundamental ideas, is analyzed.

The volume also includes another lecture by Schrodinger, Mind and Matter, which is historically interesting in another way. In Schrodinger's day, the state of understanding had not advanced to the point where it was possible to make as useful conjectures about the structure of mind as of life, and he accordingly felt "[mind] may well be beyond human understanding."

Readers interested in Schrodinger's book will also enjoy What is Thought?, published 2004. What is Thought? argues that mind must be explainable by computer science, that the fundamental issues are computational, and that there is again a wedge point: the question of how the workings of a computer, which are always purely syntactical, can correspond to meaning and understanding. The situation is parallel to the one that faced Schrodinger with respect to life in two respects: first, mind is the outcome of evolution, which has built thought processes that seem inconsistent with our standard science, and second, scientific research has advanced to the point where, if we focus on the wedge point, significant understanding is obtainable. What is Thought? brings to bear on the problem of mind core ideas from computational learning theory, complexity theory, and evolutionary computing, as well as molecular and evolutionary biology, cognitive science, and other areas. The result is a principled and concrete explanation, consistent with the vast array of available data, of how meaning, understanding, language, consciousness, and all the various aspects of mind arise from execution of an evolved computer program.

Scaled up quantum theory that tries...
...and almost succeeds in uniting the dissimilar worlds of Biochemistry/cellular mechanics with the subatomic and atomic worlds. Undoubtedly if this book (series of essays/thoughts/lectures) had been written twenty years later, it would be quite different, but as is, it makes some startlingly accurate predictions about the nature of heredity in biological systems. This book is NOT 'quantum mechanics explains life', it is however, the masterwork of one of quantum theories brightest stars, relating the abstract world of subatomic particles to, well, DNA, before anyone knew what it did. Alas, for poor Schrodinger, probabalistic interpretation is much less useful at such a macroscopic level, and the mathematics behind even 'good approximations' of VERY SMALL macromolecules are nearly infinitely more complex than those for, say helium, which cannot be solved exactly (too many variables) itself. But he knew that already, and shows it here. But regardless of any 'after-the-fact' criticism, Schrodinger built something palpable and incredible out of scaling and deduction from the quantum level up. The fact that he struck so close to the mark speaks volumes for the man and for quantum theory in general. Biology is rather more difficult to quantify with wave equations than an alpha particle...not that Schrodinger attempts such an undertaking here, but the point should be understood as pertaining to his background, at least. At any rate, this book is probably not the most pedestrian work one could find on the subject, nor the easiest read. It is however, some awfully foresighted ideas about nature, and is heartily recomended reading for anyone with an in-depth knowledge of biology and chemistry (quantum chemistry/physics would be a good *background* course here), and should be required reading for any molecular biology/biochemistry regimen. This book deserves five stars, and if it wasn't for that article in the late fifties that used quantum tunneling theory to dispute the fact that DNA could be the genetic material of the cell, (not authored by Schrodinger, but using an extension of his ideas, as in most quantum computation) it would have gotten them. Barring that, this is, to my knowledge, the best book about life ever written by a physicist, and contains philosophical insight befitting the greatest sages and philosophers. Or Dr. Schrodinger.

It's all there, before the elucidation of DNA via x-rays
This beautiful little book was based on a sequence of popular lectures given in Dublin during WWII, and in turn on an earlier paper given in Vienna. In the book Schrödinger coins the idea of a genetic code carried by linear molecules with his phrase 'code-script'. He asks how, in the absence of validity of a large n limit required by statistical physics for the validity of any macroscopic biological laws, can the chromsome molecules that carry the code-script yield stable genetic rules. Then, he gives the answer: chemical bonding as predicted by quantum theory ala Heitler-London (Schrödinger identifies quantum jumps in the chrosomes as the origin of mutations, which are also discrete). He refers to the chromosome fibers as linear 'aperiodic crystals' (to emphase their stability in the face of thermal fluctuations) and encourages physicists to study them: he boldly asserts that both the instructions and mechanism for generating organisms via molecular replication are contained in the chromosome molecules (and there is where the "complexity" lies). This book encouraged physicists to study problems of complexity long before the term complexity had become the catchword that it is today. Indeed, our first ideas of 'complexity' were developed parallel in the same era by Turing and von Neumann.

Schrödinger is buried in Alpbach (Tirol), where he lectured and enjoyed the Alps frequently after WWII in a school organized by one of two brothers who, according to a very well-informed source, formed nearly the only Resistance in Austria during the war. On his grave is a pretty little plaque bearing the Schrödinger equation.

This review refers to the 1969 edition of 'What is Life'.

"Negative Entropy"
Strange that the only thing biologists see in this book is Schroedinger's vague prediction of DNA. I honestly can't find this anywhere in the book, and believe it's the result of people simply attaching Schroedinger's name to the title without reading it.

Even stranger is that biologists are unable to see how powerful and simple Schroedinger's call for a fundamentally new type of statistical mechanics is. Current stat mech predicts the diffusion of order; yet the overwhelming observation of biology is that systems of fantastic order arise of their own, all the time. Therefore, a new branch of physics, mathematics, and biology will need to arise to predict systems of 'negative entropy'. And it is; Prigogne was the first to classify entropy producers, and the subject is growing.

*This* is the important, clear prediction of Schroedinger's classic book. He was so far ahead of his times, modern biology has yet to catch up.

Not leading edge, but a highly readable classic.
It is not surprising that a genius would have interesting things to say. Physicist Erwin Schrodinger was an affable genius whose comments about life, molecular biology, mind, qualia, and a number of topics are interesting and relevant even today.

This edition of 'What is Life?' by Cambridge University Press also contains Schrodinger's essay entitled 'Mind and Matter,' along with some autobiographical notes. What is Life? is a well paced 1944 version of molecular genetics that is still valid today. Crick and Watson didn't discover the structure of DNA til 1953, so Schrodinger didn't know of replisomes and error correcting polymerase III, but this essay shows how well developed molecular biology was by this time. Crick and Watson were certainly in the right place at the right time by clearing up a minor bottleneck in the broader science of molecular genetics. Mainly what Schrodinger, the formulator of the quantum mechanical wave equation of atoms, wants to accomplish is to reconcile quantum effects with biology. What is Life? makes an excellent synthesis of quantum physics and biology. Where modern scientists like physicist Roger Penrose and chemist Graham Cairns-Smith fail at this correlation Schrodinger is eminently successful. Although this essay is somewhat dated it is stimulating and rewarding to read.

The second essay entitled 'Mind and Matter' written in 1956 is very similar to modern efforts in describing abstract neuro and cognitive science. It tackles many of the same topics as moderns Daniel Dennett, Gerald Edelman, and Antonio Damasio do. Schrodinger artfully blends the idealism of Schopenhauer with his own personal physicist's point of view and crafts a perfectly enjoyable, reflective discussion on the concept of mind. I actually enjoyed Mind and Matter more than What is Life? as it showed the intellectual range of Schrodinger better. His discussion of what he calls objectivation, or how the subjective and objective dynamics of the scientific observer influence one another was great.

Lastly, a brief selection of Schrodinger's writing about his own life rounds out this brief, thoughtful collection of essays by a world class scientist. This relaxing little book still exhibits the ability to invoke serious thought about the nature of life and the implications of consciousness. ... Read more

Book Description

A useful scientific theory, claimed Einstein, must be explicable to any intelligent person. In Deep Down Things, experimental particle physicist Bruce Schumm has taken this dictum to heart, providing in clear, straightforward prose an elucidation of the Standard Model of particle physics—a theory that stands as one of the crowning achievements of twentieth-century science. In this one-of-a-kind book, the work of many of the past century's most notable physicists, including Einstein, Schrodinger,