Quantum Mechanics in Simple Matrix Form (Dover Books on Physics) [Paperback]

Thomas F. Jordan (Author), Physics (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 2005 | Series: Dover Books on Physics

With this text, basic quantum mechanics becomes accessible to undergraduates with no background in mathematics beyond algebra. Containing more than 100 problems, it provides an easy way to learn part of the quantum language and to employ this new skill in solving problems. 38 figures. 1986 edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This simple text makes basic quantum mechanics accessible with a minimum of mathematics. The focus is on the matrices representing physical quanitities. States are described simply by mean values of physical quantities or by probabilities for possible values. This approach reveals the essential simplicity of quantum mechanics by focusing on basics and working only with key elements of mathematical structure. Introduces all mathematics involved with using algebra of matrices, complex numbers, probabilities, and mean values. Offers over l00 problems. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (December 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486445305
• ISBN-13: 978-0486445304
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #287,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Book That Makes Quantum Mechanics Simple, March 28, 2000

By 

S J Leary (Glasgow, Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quantum Mechanics in Simple Matrix Form (Paperback)

There are few books which explain quantum mechanics with such grace and simplicity. Starting with the basics the author sets out to explain the ideas and mathematics behind qunatum mechanics. The author also provides the historical references leading to the birth of quantum mechanics. The layout and presentation of the material is pure mathematical poetry.

Whilst the material would never make light bedtime reading, I would seriously recommend this book for both phyisicists and electronic engineering at the undergraduate and graduate level. The book has been a great source of information for my own research into the mysteries of quantum mechanics.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, July 6, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Quantum Mechanics in Simple Matrix Form (Paperback)

This review is written from the point of view of a philospher, poorly trained in mathematics, but still wanting to get to the meat of quantum mechanics from a methematical point of view. Wow. In this book I found what I thought I never would. It describes the mathematical world of quantum physics using the majestic simplicity of matrices and the algebra of complex numbers. As the author states in the preface, no calculus or trigonometry is required. While the math isn't downright simple, neither is beyond the grasp of someone who is bright, but hasn't taken claculus or even precalc. For those who want to journey past this book another excellent intro level quantum mechanics text that introduces wave mechanics and does assume a knowledge of basic calculus is "Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics" by J.E. House. Both are excellent!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for the beginner, January 18, 2008

By 

Stanley J. Packer (Fruit Heights, UT United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Quantum Mechanics in Simple Matrix Form (Dover Books on Physics) (Paperback)

I have quite a few books on Quantum Mechanics. This book does what the others do not. The first half is about simple math. Understanding that QP - PQ = ih/2pi is the matrix form of an equation and the QP - PQ is not zero because the matrices do not commute is critical. This is basic stuff that a lot of books just skip. The second half uses the math to explain some of the features of Quantum Mechanics. For me I needed the detailed first half even though the math was not too hard. Now I can read my other books with a new understanding and finally I am starting to understand Quantum Mechanics.