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Quantum Mechanics

Author(s): B. Cameron Reed, PhD, Alma College
Details:
  • ISBN-13: 9780763744519
  • ISBN-10:0763744514
  • Hardcover    422 pages      © 2008
Price: International Sales $164.95 US List
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Overview

Quantum Mechanics and its applications are a vibrant, central part of today’s research in both experimental and theoretical physics. Designed for the one-semester course, Quantum Mechanics expertly guides students through rigorous course material, providing comprehensive explanations, accessible examples, and intuitive equations. This text’s in-depth coverage of essential topics, such as harmonic oscillator, barrier penetration, and hydrogen atoms, skillfully bridges the gap between sophomore introduction texts and lower-level graduate treatments. Students will find this user-friendly text, with numerous examples and applications, sets a solid foundation for future courses in the area of Quantum Mechanics.
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ShowKey Features

  • Quantum Mechanics covers the basics of time-independent one- and three-dimensional quantum mechanics (Schrodinger equation, potential wells, barrier penetration, harmonic oscillator, separation of variables, degeneracy, etc.) in a package that can be covered in one semester.
     
  • Extremely user-friendly!  Each chapter begins with an introduction that summarizes key points, discussing how new material builds upon topics presented in previous chapters, how its topics fit into the larger picture of quantum mechanics, and why the topic is considered important in that larger picture.
  • Key points are summarized at the end of each chapter, and end-of-chapter problems allow students to test themselves on what they have learned.
  • Quantum Mechanics does not assume mathematical knowledge beyond multivariable calculus and differential equations.
  • A Complete Solutions Manual for Instructors is available with worked solutions to all exercises in the text.
  • Emphasizes working through the derivation of classical problems to help students understand the conceptual content of Quantum Mechanics and develop the analytic skills necessary to apply it.
  • Contains references to popular articles appearing in Physics Today giving students exposure to up-to-the-minute work in Quantum Mechanics.
     

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ShowTable of Contents

1.   Foundations
2.   Schrodinger's Equation
3.   Solutions of Schrodinger's Equation in One Dimension
               Part I:   Potential Wells
               Part II:  Potential Barriers and Scattering
4.   Operators, Expectation Values, and the Uncertainty Principle
5.   The Harmonic Oscillator
6.   The Schrodinger Equation in Three Dimensions and an Introduction to the Quantum Theory of Angular      
      Momentum
7.   Central Potentials
8.   Further Developments with Angular Momentum and Multi-Particle Systems
9.   Approximation Methods
10.  Numerical Solutions of the Schrodinger Equation
11.  A Sampling of Results from Time-Dependent Quantum Mechanics:  Transition Rates and Probabilities

Appendix A.   Miscellaneous Derivations
Appendix B.   Answers to Selected Problems
Appendix C.   Integrals and Trigonometric Identities
Appendix D.   Physical Constants


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ShowAbout the Author(s)

B. Cameron Reed, PhD-Alma College

B. Cameron Reed earned his PhD in Physics at University of Waterloo (Canada).  His main research area is galactic structures, but he also has great interest in quantum and nuclear physics, and the history of the Manhattan Project.  Reed has published more than 80 papers in physics and astronomy journals.  He is currently living in Michigan with his wife Laurie and is a professor at Alma College.

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ShowAppropriate Courses

Ideal for the undergraduate, junior/senior course in Quantum Physics/Quantum Mechanics taught within the department of Physics or Chemistry.

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