The Basic Physics of Quantum Theory
- Length: 208 pages
- Edition: 1
- Language: English
- Publisher: WSPC
- Publication Date: 2020-04-04
- ISBN-10: 9811219397
- ISBN-13: 9789811219399
- Sales Rank: #0 (See Top 100 Books)
This book is an introductory course on quantum theory accessible to anyone who is interested in obtaining an insider’s knowledge of the subject, but who may not have studied physics at the college level. No mathematics is required beyond middle school algebra. Exercises are provided throughout the book, with answers at the back. This book can be used for self-study or as a textbook in an undergraduate or high school curriculum.
Cover Page Title Page Copyright Page Preface Contents 1. Introduction 1.1 A new understanding of reality 1.2 A theory of particles and fields 1.3 Outline of the book 2. Newtonian Physics 2.1 Observation of the night sky 2.2 Measurement of time 2.3 Ptolemy’s model 2.4 The Copernican revolution 2.5 Newton’s laws 2.6 Work and energy 2.7 Determinism 2.8 Summary 3. Statistical Mechanics 3.1 Atoms 3.2 The laws of thermodynamics 3.3 Statistical mechanics 3.3.1 One-dimensional gas 3.3.2 Two-dimensional gas 3.3.3 Three-dimensional gas 3.3.4 Third law of thermodynamics 3.3.5 Second law of thermodynamics 3.4 Summary 4. The Concept of a Field 4.1 Action at a distance 4.2 Electricity and magnetism 4.3 Electromagnetism 4.4 Electromagnetic waves 4.5 Finite speed of fields 4.6 Summary 5. The Ultraviolet Catastrophe 5.1 A black body 5.2 Black body cavity 5.3 Standing waves and the catastrophe 5.4 Escape from the ultraviolet catastrophe 5.5 A small beginning 5.6 Summary 6. Absorption and Emission of Radiation 6.1 Photelectric effect 6.2 Einstein’s explanation 6.3 Momentum of electromagnetic radiation 6.4 Compton effect 6.5 Finite time of interaction 6.6 Uncertainty principle 6.7 Summary 7. Matter Waves 7.1 De Broglie’s hypothesis 7.2 Interference 7.2.1 Combination of waves 7.3 Waves in two or three dimensions 7.4 Quantum theory of light 7.5 Electron waves 7.6 Composite particles 7.7 The hydrogen atom 7.8 Summary 8. The Special Theory of Relativity 8.1 Speed of light 8.2 Relative speed in classical mechanics 8.3 Motion relative to source of light 8.4 Principles of special relativity 8.5 Relative speed according to Einstein 8.6 Impossible to attain the speed of light 8.7 Length is relative 8.8 Time ordering of events is relative 8.9 Duration of time is relative — time dilation 8.10 Mass increases with speed 8.11 Mass and energy 8.12 Relativity and quantum theory 8.13 Summary 9. The Geometry of Space and Time 9.1 Space time 9.1.1 World lines 9.1.2 Space-like, time-like and light-like intervals 9.1.3 Minkowski space 9.2 Feynman diagrams 9.3 Arrow of time 9.3.1 Time reversal and Feynman diagrams 9.3.2 Information carried by many photons 9.4 Summary 10. The Heart of Quantum Theory 10.1 How does one study the quantum? 10.2 Fields and states 10.3 Complex numbers in quantum mechanics 10.4 States and operators 10.5 Physical meaning of symbols 10.5.1 Creation and annihilation of photons 10.5.2 Propagation of a photon 10.5.3 Probability amplitudes 10.5.4 Addition of paths 10.6 Classical and quantum probabilities 10.6.1 Constructive and destructive interference 10.7 Summary 11. Angular Momentum and Spin 11.1 Direction of the angular momentum vector 11.2 Quantization of angular momentum 11.3 Spin of an electron 11.3.1 Stern–Gerlach experiment 11.4 Pauli exclusion principle 11.4.1 Quantum statistics 11.5 Summary 12. Quantum Theory and Relativity 12.1 Dirac theory 12.1.1 Negative energy states 12.1.2 Antiparticles 12.1.3 Zitterbewegung 12.2 Entangled states 12.3 Apparent conflict with relativity 12.3.1 Action at a distance 12.3.2 Action mediated by a field 12.3.3 Communication of information 12.4 Time ordering of measurements is relative 12.5 Feynman graph of entanglement and measurement 12.6 Summary 13. Tunneling: Quantum Magic? 13.1 Extending the boundaries of the possible 13.2 Potential barriers 13.3 Tunneling 13.4 Tunneling and alpha decay 13.5 Summary 14. The Spatial Wave Function 14.1 Probability density 14.2 Amplitude and probability 14.3 The wave function and measurements 14.4 A historical note 14.5 Summary 15. Conclusion 15.1 Summary 15.1.1 Wave and particle 15.1.2 A statistical result 15.1.3 Uncertainty principle 15.1.4 Wave functions and operators 15.1.5 Spin and statistics 15.1.6 Zitterbewegung 15.1.7 Antiparticles 15.1.8 Entanglement 15.1.9 Tunneling 15.2 The next step Appendix A Answers to Exercises Appendix B Bibliography Index
Donate to keep this site alive
To access the Link, solve the captcha.
1. Disable the AdBlock plugin. Otherwise, you may not get any links.
2. Solve the CAPTCHA.
3. Click download link.
4. Lead to download server to download.