Quantum Mechanics: Classical Results, Modern Systems, and Visualized Examples (Hardcover)

by Richard W. Robinett (Author) "For many people, the term icon has changed its meaning from "a representation of some sacred personage or being" to something more like "a symbol..." (more)
Key Phrases: energy eigenvalue condition, position space wavefunctions, wavepacket solutions, The Quantum Paradigm, Crab Nebula, Find the Fourier (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Although Quantum Mechanics is a text written for undergraduate physics students, it is a valuable book for chemists also....Often you find yourself coming back to a book in order to supplement a class or help you understand something more clearly. I think I have just found another book like that!" -- Journal of Chemical Education

"Its wide range of subjects, assortment of applications and problems, and visual environment make it a valuable resource in the teaching and learning of quantum mechanics." -- Journal of Chemical Education

"Unique aspects of the book include and early and frequent use of wavepackets and of the Fourier transform relationship between position and momentum representations, as well as a challenging set of problems of which some are derived from recent experimental results. In addition to its use as a course text for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students, the book would also be a useful resource for instructors." -- Choice

"Richard Robinett has used his extensive experience in teaching undergraduate quantum mechanics to write an outstanding textbook with a distinctive flavor."--Uday Sukhatme, Foundations of Physics

"...an excellently written, comprehensive treatment of quantum physics fundamentals. I definitely would choose Robinett's book as a main textbook, and I highly recommend it for the physics libraries."--Suaznne Amador, Physics Today

"[A] very useful addition to the quantum mechanics literature...technically accurate and clearly and interestingly written."--R.D. Murphy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, in the American Journal of Physics

"I am impressed by the problems and the applied topics. A very good 'intermediate' text for chemistry students."--H. Strauss, University of California, Berkeley

"An outstanding new text. It has a wonderful collection of up-to-date applications. Likely to become a standard for the introductory course."--Michael Lieber, University of Arkansas

"Good junior-level introduction to modern physics. Abundant graphics make it an attractive complement to the vast literature on this topic."--Miklos Gyulassy, Columbia University

Product Description
A complete overview of the key concepts of non-relativistic quantum theory for the beginner, this book uses examples taken from the modern research literature in atomic, nuclear and elementary physics, the author focuses on the visual presentation of both quantitative information and qualitative concepts, including imagery of quantum wavefunctions in one-, two-, and three-dimensional systems, and an enhanced presentation of momentum-space methods. An emphasis on the classical limit of quantum mechanics/wavepackets, and on numerical and approximation techniques, together with separate chapters on classical wave phenomena, probability and two-dimensional quantum physics, and an appendix on Hamiltonian theory make this volume a comprehensive reference to every aspect of quantum mechanics.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 598 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (October 3, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195092023
• ISBN-13: 978-0195092028
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,800,468 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting but a bit on the esoteric side, April 24, 2000

By	Eric R. Bittner "ebitnet" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is only intro level quantum mechanics book that I have seen that really makes an attempt to get to the heart of the matter of quantum mechanics and its connections to classical physics. The notion of breaking the subject down by dimensionality of the problems is certainly unique and creative. The book covers a wide range of topics ranging from quantum gravity to chaos. Derivations are presented in a clear and readable way. Moreover, the problems are really fun and interesting. My ONLY reservation is that what *I* really like about the book, first time students would probably hate! However, for a course aimed at theoretical students in physics or in chemistry, this would be a hit.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A serious attempt at teaching quantum mechanics, March 19, 2007

By	physics student "visviva" (St. John's, Newfoundland Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quantum Mechanics: Classical Results, Modern Systems, and Visualized Examples (Hardcover)

I have been much impressed by Robinett's introduction to quantum mechanics. He seriously attempts to teach the principles of the subject, and does so with considerable effect. His quasi-derivation of the Schroedinger equation is notable.

I have used this twice in introductory quantum mechanics courses. Some students were vocal in their dislike of the book. However they seemed to have learned quite a bit from it. Given the adverse comments to be found about all other books in physics on Amazon the negative comments inspire contempt rather than respect. If Robinett errs, it is in attempting to teach Qm rather than in pounding formulae into students.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting presentation of the subject, July 11, 2003

By	JAY JINA (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

Robinett's book is a comprehensive is somewhat mathematical treatment of the fundamental aspects of this fascinating subject.

Among the things most pleasing about the book are:
1. A constant connection with classical physics principles;
2. An early introduction to and development of the wave packet and operators and a physical interpretation of Schrodinger's equation;
3. A comprehensive discussion of various QM models in both their mathematical and physical aspects: the infinite well and other 1-D potentials, SHO, scattering;
4. Two-D and Three-D QM and the development of the Hydrogen atom;
5. Development of Gravity and QM;
6. An abundance of examples, many based on experimental results for the student to try out.

The mathematics is clear, and unlike many other books, the author takes the trouble to present many of the intermediate steps. I should say, however, that there are quite a few TYPOS sprinkled throughout the text. They are only a minor distraction and if anything, finding and fixing them can be a useful learning experience! My criticsm would be that the sections on the physical and mathematical development of Spin is too short. Indeed, the Stern-Gerlach and associated gedanken experiments which are so fundamental to an understanding of the postulates of QM do not get much of a mention.

Having said this, the book is certainly a good introduction to the subject. It complements other traditional texts like French and Taylor quite well.