Dover Books on Physics

FOUNDATIONS OF POTENTIAL THEORY by OLIVER DIMON KELLOGG. Originally published in 1929. Preface: The present volume gives a systematic treatment of potential functions. It takes its origin in two courses, one elementary and one advanced, which the author has given at intervals during the last ten years, and has a two-fold purpose first, to serve as an introduction for students whose attainments in the Calculus include some knowledge of partial derivatives and multiple and line integrals and secondly, to provide the reader with the fundamentals of the subject, so that he may proceed immediately to the applications, or to - the periodical literature of the day. It is inherent in the nature of the subject that physical intuition and illustration be appealed to freely, and this has been done. However, in order that the ok may present sound ideals to the student, and also serve the ma pmatician, both for purposes of reference and as a basis for further developments, the proofs have been given by rigorous methods. This has led, at a number of points, to results either not found elsewhere, or not readily accessible. Thus, Chapter IV contains a proof for the general regular region of the divergence theorem Gauss, or Greens theorem on the reduction of volume to surface integrals. The treatment of the fundamental existence theorems in Chapter XI by means of integral equations meets squarely the difficulties incident to the discontinuity of the kernel, and the same chapter gives an account of the most recent developments with respect to the Pirichlet problem. Exercises are introduced in the conviction that no mastery of a mathematical subject is possible without working with it. They are designed primarily to illustrate or extend the theory, although the desirability of requiring an occasional concrete numerical result has not been lost sight of. O. D. Kellogg. August, 1929. Contents include: Chapter 1. The Force of Gravity. 1. The Subject Matter of Potential Theory 1 2. Newtons Law 2 3. Interpretation of Newtons Law for Continuously Distributed Bodies . 3 4. Forces Due to Special Bodies 4 5. Material Curves, or Wires 8 6 Material Surfaces or Lammas 10 7. Curved Lammas 12 8. Ordinary Bodies, or Volume Distributions 15 9 The Force at Points of the Attracting Masses 17 10. Legitimacy of the Amplified Statement of Newtons Law Attraction between Bodies 22 11. Presence of the Couple Centrobaric Bodies Specific Force 26 Chapter II. Fields of Force. 1. Fields of Force and Other Vector Fields 28 2. Lines of Force 28 3. Velocity Fields 31 4. Expansion, or Divergence of a Field 34 5. The Divergence Theorem 37 6. Flux of Force Solenoidal Fields 40 7. Gauss Integral 42 8. Sources and Sinks 44 9. General Flows of Fluids Equation of Continuity 45 Chapter III The Potential. 1. Work and Potential Energy 48 2 Equipotential Surfaces 54 3. Potentials of Special Distributions 55 4. The Potential of a Homogeneous Circumference 58 5. Two Dimensional Problems The Logarithmic Potential 62 6. Magnetic Particles 65 7. Magnetic Shells, or Double Distributions 66 8. Irrotational Flow 69 . Stokes Theorem 72 10. Flow of Heat 76 11. The Energy of Distributions 79 12...

This collection of articles, which were first published in 1958 and written on various occasions between 1932 and 1957, forms a sequel to Danish physician Niels Bohr's earlier essays in Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature (1934). The theme of the papers is the epistemological lesson which the modern development of atomic physics has given us and its relevance for analysis and synthesis in many fields of human knowledge. The articles in the previous edition were written at a time when the establishment of the mathematical methods of quantum mechanics had created a firm foundation for the consistent treatment of atomic phenomena, and the conditions for an unambiguous account of experience within this framework were characterized by the notion of complementarity. In the papers collected here, this approach is further developed in logical formulation and given broader application.

An introduction to the behavior of liquids and gases, this volume provides excellent coverage of kinematics, momentum principle, Newtonian fluid, rotating fluids, compressibility, and more. It is geared toward advanced undergraduate and graduate students of mathematics and general science, and it requires a background in calculus and vector analysis. 1971 edition.

The author of this concise, brilliant series of lectures on mathematical methods in quantum mechanics was one of the shining intellects in the field, winning a Nobel prize in 1933 for his pioneering work in the quantum mechanics of the atom. Beyond that, he developed the transformation theory of quantum mechanics (which made it possible to calculate the statistical distribution of certain variables), was one of the major authors of the quantum theory of radiation, codiscovered the Fermi-Dirac statistics, and predicted the existence of the positron. The four lectures in this book were delivered at Yeshiva University, New York, in 1964. The first, "The Hamiltonian Method," is an introduction to visualizing quantum theory through the use of classical mechanics. The remaining lectures build on that idea. "The Problem of Quantization" shows how one can start with a classical field theory and end up with a quantum field theory. In "Quantization on Curved Surfaces," Dirac examines the possibility of building a relativistic quantum theory on curved surfaces. He deduces that it is not possible, but it should be possible on flat surfaces. In the final lecture, "Quantization on Flat Surfaces," he concludes that "we can set up the basic equations for a quantum theory of the Born-Infeld electrodynamics agreeing with special relativity, but {not} with general relativity." Physics and chemistry students will find this book an invaluable addition to their libraries, as will anyone intrigued by the far-reaching and influential ideas of quantum mechanics.

A prominent figure in twentieth-century physics, Gregor Wentzel made major contributions to the development of quantum field theory, first in Europe and later at the University of Chicago. His Quantum Theory of Fields offers a knowledgeable view of the original literature of elementary quantum mechanics and helps make these works accessible to interested readers. An introductory volume rather than an all-inclusive account, the text opens with an examination of general principles, without specification of the field equations of the Lagrange function. The following chapters deal with particular field types that, by means of quantization, are associated with particles of various spin, charge, and mass values. Topics include scalar fields, the vector meson field, quantum electrodynamics, and the quantization of the electron wave field according to the exclusion principle. Clear and coherent, this text presumes a familiarity with the fundamentals of elementary quantum mechanics, and particularly with Dirac's wave mechanics of spin-electrons.

This book by a Nobel Laureate provides the foundation for analysis of stellar atmospheres, planetary illumination, and sky radiation. Radiation transfer has been investigated as a phenomenon of astrophysics, and it has attained wider interest because of similar problems in the theory of neutron diffusion. Suitable for students and professionals in physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, and atmospheric studies.

Suitable for advanced undergraduates, this thorough text focuses on the role of symmetry operations and the essentially algebraic structure of quantum-mechanical theory. Based on courses in quantum mechanics taught by the authors, the treatment provides numerous problems that require applications of theory and serve to supplement the textual material. Starting with a historical introduction to the origins of quantum theory, the book advances to discussions of the foundations of wave mechanics, wave packets and the uncertainty principle, and an examination of the Schrödinger equation that includes a selection of one-dimensional problems. Subsequent topics include operators and eigenfunctions, scattering theory, matrix mechanics, angular momentum and spin, and perturbation theory. The text concludes with a brief treatment of identical particles and a helpful Appendix.

By the year 1900, most of physics seemed to be encompassed in the two great theories of Newtonian mechanics and Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism. Unfortunately, there were inconsistencies between the two theories that seemed irreconcilable. Although many physicists struggled with the problem, it took the genius of Einstein to see that the inconsistencies were concerned not merely with mechanics and electromagnetism, but with our most elementary ideas of space and time. In the special theory of relativity, Einstein resolved these difficulties and profoundly altered our conception of the physical universe. Readers looking for a concise, well-written explanation of one of the most important theories in modern physics need search no further than this lucid undergraduate-level text. Replete with examples that make it especially suitable for self-study, the book assumes only a knowledge of algebra. Topics include classical relativity and the relativity postulate, time dilation, the twin paradox, momentum and energy, particles of zero mass, electric and magnetic fields and forces, and more.

Singular integral equations play important roles in physics and theoretical mechanics, particularly in the areas of elasticity, aerodynamics, and unsteady aerofoil theory. They are highly effective in solving boundary problems occurring in the theory of functions of a complex variable, potential theory, the theory of elasticity, and the theory of fluid mechanics. This high-level treatment by a noted mathematician considers one-dimensional singular integral equations involving Cauchy principal values. Its coverage includes such topics as the Hölder condition, Hilbert and Riemann-Hilbert problems, the Dirichlet problem, inversion formulas for arcs, and many other areas. Intended for graduate students, applied and pure mathematicians, engineers, physicists, and researchers in a variety of scientific and industrial fields, this text is accessible to students acquainted with the basic theory of functions of a complex variable and the theory of Fredholm integral equations.

Excellent, informative volume focuses on dynamics of nonradiating fluids, problems involving waves, shocks and stellar winds, physics of radiation, radiation transport, and the dynamics of radiating fluids. 1984 edition.

The Nobel Laureate's monumental study surveys hydrodynamic and hydromagnetic stability as a branch of experimental physics. Among the subjects treated: thermal instability of a layer of fluid heated from below, the Benard problem, stability of Couette flow, and the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability.

Geared toward research students in physics and chemistry, this text introduces the three main uses of group theory in quantum mechanics: (1) to label energy levels and the corresponding eigenstates; (2) to discuss qualitatively the splitting of energy levels, starting from an approximate Hamiltonian and adding correction terms; and (3) to aid in the evaluation of matrix elements of all kinds. "The theme," states author Volker Heine, "is to show how all this is achieved by considering the symmetry properties of the Hamiltonian and the way in which these symmetries are reflected in the wave functions." Early chapters cover symmetry transformations, the quantum theory of a free atom, and the representations of finite groups. Subsequent chapters address the structure and vibrations of molecules, solid state physics, nuclear physics, and relativistic quantum mechanics. A previous course in quantum theory is necessary, but the relevant matrix algebra appears in an appendix. A series of examples of varying levels of difficulty follows each chapter. They include simple drills related to preceding material as well as extensions of theory and further applications. The text is enhanced with 46 illustrations and 12 helpful appendixes.

These authors ranked among the greatest astrophysicists of the 20th century, and their work is remarkable for its deep physical insights and clarity of presentation. This book explores general relativity, properties of matter under astrophysical conditions, stars, and stellar systems. It constitutes a valuable resource for today's physicists, astronomers, and graduate students.

Directed to solid-state physicists, engineers, and graduate-level students: a comprehensive treatment of the theory and application of soft magnets-vital in computer and telecommunications technology. Topics include ferromagnetism and ferrimagnetism, magnetization and domain structure, metallurgy and applications of soft magnetic materials. 227 figures.

This concise volume by a prominent mathematician offers an important survey of mathematical aspects of the theory of compressible fluids. The treatment is geared toward advanced undergraduates and graduate students in physics, applied mathematics, and engineering. Focusing on two-dimensional steady potential flows, the text eschews detailed proofs in favor of clear indications of the main ideas and descriptions of new mathematical concepts and methods that arose in connection with these chapters in fluid dynamics. Starting with a general discussion of the differential equations of a compressible gas flow, the book advances to the mathematical background of subsonic flow theory. Subsequent chapters explore the behavior of a flow at infinity and methods for the determination of flows around profiles, flows in channels and with a free boundary, the mathematical background of transonic gas dynamics, and some problems in transonic flow. An extensive bibliography of 400 papers concludes the text.

Designed for students familiar with abstract mathematical concepts but possessing little knowledge of physics, this text focuses on generality and careful formulation rather than problem-solving. Its author, a member of the distinguished National Academy of Science, based this graduate-level text on the course he taught at Harvard University. Opening chapters on classical mechanics examine the laws of particle mechanics; generalized coordinates and differentiable manifolds; oscillations, waves, and Hilbert space; and statistical mechanics. A survey of quantum mechanics covers the old quantum theory; the quantum-mechanical substitute for phase space; quantum dynamics and the Schrödinger equation; the canonical "quantization" of a classical system; some elementary examples and original discoveries by Schrödinger and Heisenberg; generalized coordinates; linear systems and the quantization of the electromagnetic field; and quantum-statistical mechanics. The final section on group theory and quantum mechanics of the atom explores basic notions in the theory of group representations; perturbations and the group theoretical classification of eigenvalues; spherical symmetry and spin; and the n-electron atom and the Pauli exclusion principle.

Informative review considers the development of fundamental commutation relations for angular momentum components and vector operators. Additional topics include the computation and application of matrix elements of scalar, vector, and tensor operators for deriving useful relations in the theory of magnetic moments, electric quadruple moments, and dipole transition probabilities.

Long one of the standard texts in the field, this excellent introduction probes deeply into Euclidean space, Riemann's space, Einstein's general relativity, gravitational waves and energy, and laws of conservation.

This volume addresses the broad formal aspects and applications of the quantum theory of scattering in atomic and nuclear collisions. An encyclopedic source of pioneering work, it serves as a text for students and a reference for professionals in the fields of chemistry, physics, and astrophysics. The self-contained treatment begins with the general theory of scattering of a particle by a central field. Subsequent chapters explore particle scattering by a non-central field, collisions between composite particles, the time-dependent theory of scattering, and nuclear reactions. An examination of dispersion relations concludes the text. Numerous graphs, tables, and footnotes illuminate each chapter, in addition to helpful appendixes and bibliographies.

One of the great masterpieces of theoretical physics, this classic work contains a comprehensive exposition of the kinetic theory of gases that is still relevant today, nearly 100 years after its first publication. Although the modifications of quantum mechanics have rendered some parts of the work obsolete, many of the topics dealt with still yield to the classical-mechanics approach outlined by Boltzmann; moreover, a variety of problems in aerodynamics, nuclear reactors, and thermonuclear power generation are best solved by Boltzmann's famous transport equation. The work is divided into two parts: Part I deals with the theory of gases with monatomic particles, whose dimensions are negligible compared to the mean free path. Topics include molecules as elastic spheres and as centers of force, external forces and visible motions of the gas and the repelling force between molecules. Part II covers van der Waals' theory, the principles of general mechanics needed for a gas theory, gases with compound molecules, derivation of van der Waals' equation by means of the virial concept, theory of dissociation and supplements to the laws of thermal equilibrium in gases with compound molecules. Combining rigorous mathematical analysis with pragmatic treatment of physical and chemical applications, Lectures on Gas Theory was the standard work on kinetic theory in the first quarter of the 20th century.

Well respected and widely used, this volume presents problems and full solutions related to a wide range of topics in thermodynamics, statistical physics, and statistical mechanics. The text is intended for instructors, undergraduates, and graduate students of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering. Twenty-eight chapters, each prepared by an expert, proceed from simpler to more difficult subjects. Similarly, the early chapters are easier than the later ones, making the book ideal for independent study. Subjects begin with the laws of thermodynamics and statistical theory of information and of ensembles, advancing to the ideal classical gases of polyatomic molecules, non-electrolyte liquids and solutions, and surfaces. Subsequent chapters explore imperfect classical and quantum gas, phase transitions, cooperative phenomena, Green function methods, the plasma, transport in gases and metals, Nyquist's theorem and its generalizations, stochastic methods, and many other topics.

Overview covers thermodynamics and statistical mechanics; gases, solids, and liquids; perfect gases; electronics in metals; and the Bose condensation. Also: structure of a fluid, potential energy, interacting gases and liquids, Weiss molecular field theory, van der Waals equation, and other pertinent aspects of phase transitions. 154 figures .1975 edition.

This compact treatment highlights the logic and simplicity of the mathematical structure of quantum mechanics. Suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students, it treats the language of quantum mechanics as expressed in the mathematics of linear operators. Originally oriented toward atomic physics, quantum mechanics became a basic language for solid-state, nuclear, and particle physics. Its grammar consists of the mathematics of linear operators, and with this text, students will find it easier to understand and use the language of physics. Topics include linear spaces and linear functionals; linear operators; diagonalizing operators; operator algebras; states; equations of motion; and representation of space-time transformations. The text concludes with exercises and applications.

This excellent text, ideal for a one-year course in solid state theory, covers electron states, electronic properties of solids, lattice vibrations and atomic properties, the Mott transition, the electronic structure of disordered systems, tunneling, the Kond effect, the fluctuation near critical points, and more.

This classic of modern physics includes a vast array of approximation methods, mathematical tricks, and physical pictures that are also useful in the application of quantum mechanics to other fields. Students and professionals will find it an essential reference for calculations pertaining to hydrogen-like and helium-like atoms and their comparison with experimental results. In-depth explorations of the Dirac theory of the electron and of radiative effects include brief accounts of relevant experiments. The specific application of general field-theoretic results to atomic systems also receives a thorough examination. Author Hans A. Bethe (1906–2005), Professor of Physics at Cornell University, won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1967. Co-author Edwin E. Salpeter is James Gilbert White Distinguished Professor of the Physical Sciences at Cornell University.

Solved Problems in Classical Electromagnetism is a valuable tool to help students learn to do physics while using concepts they learn in the courses. Students who are taking or have already taken an advanced EM course will find the book to be a useful adjunct to their textbook, giving added practice in applying what they are learning. For students who are taking an undergraduate EM course and want to get more depth, this book can help them achieve that aim and also help them prepare for graduate work. Beginning students, or those not even taking a course at the moment, can benefit from these problems and learn just from working on them with the help of the solutions. In each chapter, the problems start out relatively easy and then get progressively more advanced, helping students to go just as far as they can at their present level. The book includes a number of review sections to assist students without previous advanced training in working out the problems. The first review section is a comprehensive development of vector calculus that will prepare students to solve the problems and provide a strong foundation for their future development as physicists. The problems are drawn from the topics of electrostatics, magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic radiation, and relativisitc electromagnetism.

Practical, readable text focuses on fundamental applied math needed by advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students to deal with physics and engineering problems. Covers elementary vector calculus, special functions of mathematical physics, calculus of variations, and much more. Excellent self-contained study resource. 1968 edition.

Developed from a classic undergraduate course on the study of the motion of bodies, this volume stresses the history of science as well as relevant physics and mathematics. R. Catesby Taliaferro developed a well-attended and much-revered course during his 20-year tenure at Notre Dame. He left among his papers the unfinished manuscript for this text, which has now been completed and prepared for publication by a group of his former students and colleagues. Suitable for undergraduates and beginning graduate students of physics and the history of science, this volume begins with an exploration of ancient Greek celestial mechanics and the seventeenth-century scientific revolution incited by Kepler's work. Subsequent chapters examine vector spaces and their applications, elementary differential geometry, particle dynamics, displacement and kinematics, theories of light, and the special theory of relativity.

According to the author of this concise, high-level study, physicists often shy away from group theory, perhaps because they are unsure which parts of the subject belong to the physicist and which belong to the mathematician. However, it is possible for physicists to understand and use many techniques which have a group theoretical basis without necessarily understanding all of group theory. This book is designed to familiarize physicists with those techniques. Specifically, the author aims to show how the well-known methods of angular momentum algebra can be extended to treat other Lie groups, with examples illustrating the application of the method. Chapters cover such topics as a simple example of isospin; the group SU3 and its application to elementary particles; the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator; algebras of operators which change the number of particles; permutations; bookkeeping and Young diagrams; and the groups SU4, SU6, and SU12, an introduction to groups of higher rank. Four appendices provide additional valuable data.

Thorough, extremely useful treatment of classical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, and relativity, includes full explanations of function theory, vectors, matrices, dyadics, tensors, partial differential equations, and other advanced mathematical techniques. Nearly 200 problems with answers from many different fields of physics and varying widely in difficulty.

Geared toward advanced undergraduate and graduate students of physics, this text provides readers with a background in relativistic wave mechanics and prepares them for the study of field theory. The treatment originated as a series of lectures from a course on advanced quantum mechanics that has been further amplified by student contributions. An introductory section related to particles and wave functions precedes the three-part treatment. An examination of particles of spin zero follows, addressing wave equation, Lagrangian formalism, physical quantities as mean values, translation and rotation operators, spin zero particles in electromagnetic field, pi-mesic atoms, and discontinuous transformations. The second section explores particles of spin one-half in terms of spin operators, the Weyl and Dirac equations, constants of motion, plane wave solutions and invariance properties of the Dirac equation, the Dirac equation for a charged particle in an electromagnetic field, non-relativistic limit of the Dirac equation, and Dirac particle in a central electrostatic field. The final section, on collision and radiation processes, covers time-independent scattering of a spinless particle, non-relativistic steady-state scattering of a particle of spin one-half, time-independent scattering of Dirac particles, non-relativistic time-dependent scattering theory, emission and absorption of electromagnetic radiation, and time-dependent relativistic scattering theory.

Excellent text provides thorough background in mathematics needed to understand today's more advanced topics in physics and engineering. Topics include theory of functions of a complex variable, linear vector spaces, tensor calculus, Fourier series and transforms, special functions, more. Rigorous theoretical development; problems solved in great detail. Bibliography.

Readable and systematic, this volume offers coherent presentations of not only the general theory of linear equations with a single integration, but also of applications to differential equations, the calculus of variations, and special areas in mathematical physics. Topics include the solution of Fredholm's equation expressed as a ratio of two integral series in lambda, free and constrained vibrations of an elastic string, and auxiliary theorems on harmonic functions. Discussion of the Hilbert-Schmidt theory covers boundary problems for ordinary linear differential equations, vibration problems, and flow of heat in a bar. 1924 edition.

Semi-technical account includes a review of classical physics (origin of space and time measurements, Ptolemaic and Copernican astronomy, laws of motion, inertia, more) and of Einstein's theories of relativity.

Detailed and authoritative, this graduate-level text examines the essential physics underlying international research in magnetic confinement fusion. It offers readable, thorough accounts of the fundamental concepts behind methods of confining plasma at or near thermonuclear conditions. 1992 edition.

Physical, chemical processes in gases at high temperatures are focus of outstanding text by two distinguished physicists. Combines material from gas dynamics, shock-wave theory, thermodynamics and statistical physics, molecular physics, spectroscopy, radiation theory, other fields for comprehensive treatment. 284 black-and-white illustrations. 1966–1967 edition, originally published in two volumes.

This unique overview by a prominent CalTech physicist provides a modern, rigorous, and integrated treatment of the key physical principles and techniques related to gases, liquids, solids, and their phase transitions. No other single volume offers such comprehensive coverage of the subject, and the treatment consistently emphasizes areas in which research results are likely to be applicable to other disciples. Starting with a chapter on thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, the text proceeds to in-depth discussions of perfect gases, electrons in metals, Bose condensation, fluid structure, potential energy, Weiss molecular field theory, van der Waals equation, and other pertinent aspects of phase transitions. Many helpful illustrative problems appear at the end of each chapter, and annotated bibliographies offer further guidance.

This introduction to the concepts and methods of quantum mechanics employs the analysis of one-dimensional problems to offer students a quantitative understanding of atomic, molecular, solid-state, and nuclear physics. Applications of these concepts and methods help answer the most intriguing questions of modern physics: What holds matter together? Holds it apart? How does the variety of chemical properties of different elements arise? How do electrons move through solids? Why do nuclei that occur in nature possess only certain combinations of protons and neutrons? The text presents meaningful problems by topic - supplemented by ample illustrations, applications, and exercises - that address the most intriguing questions of modern physics. Answers to selected problems appear in the appendix. Geared toward science and engineering majors, this volume is also appropriate for independent study by those who have completed a general physics course.

Popular physics primer by an acclaimed author offers accessible, imaginative explanations of string theory, the Schrödinger's Cat paradox, quantum uncertainty, black holes, and other cosmic oddities. Numerous playful illustrations.

Intended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, this work teaches problem-solving using the theory of special functions. The concise treatment presents the theory methodically and in detail to a wide variety of problems in atomic and molecular physics. The overall applicability of this method and its extension to solving these problems are discussed with attention to detail seldom found in textbooks of this level. Starting with a brief introduction to the hypergeometric equations and their properties, a step-by-step method consisting of six distinct parts illustrates how to address typical problems in quantum physics in a simple and uniform fashion. This technique can also be applied to the solution of other problems, for which the Schrödinger equation can be reduced by some means to an equation of the hypergeometric type. Topics include the discrete spectrum eigenfunctions, linear harmonic oscillators, Kratzer molecular potential, and the rotational correction to the Morse formula. The text concludes with an Appendix that presents an original Fourier transform-based method for converting multicenter integrals to a single center.

Based on the ideas of Einstein and Minkowski, this concise treatment is derived from the author's many years of teaching the mathematics of relativity at the University of Michigan. Geared toward advanced undergraduates and graduate students of physics, the text covers old physics, new geometry, special relativity, curved space, and general relativity. Beginning with a discussion of the inverse square law in terms of simple calculus, the treatment gradually introduces increasingly complicated situations and more sophisticated mathematical tools. Changes in fundamental concepts, which characterize relativity theory, and the refinements of mathematical technique are incorporated as necessary. The presentation thus offers an easier approach without sacrifice of rigor.

In this masterful synthesis and summation of the science of mechanics, Rene Dugas, a leading scholar and educator at the famed Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, deals with the evolution of the principles of general mechanics chronologically from their earliest roots in antiquity through the Middle Ages to the revolutionary developments in relativistic mechanics, wave and quantum mechanics of the early 20th century. The present volume is divided into five parts: The first treats of the pioneers in the study of mechanics, from its beginnings up to and including the sixteenth century; the second section discusses the formation of classical mechanics, including the tremendously creative and influential work of Galileo, Huygens and Newton. The third part is devoted to the eighteenth century, in which the organization of mechanics finds its climax in the achievements of Euler, d'Alembert and Lagrange. The fourth part is devoted to classical mechanics after Lagrange. In Part Five, the author undertakes the relativistic revolutions in quantum and wave mechanics. Writing with great clarity and sweep of vision, M. Dugas follows closely the ideas of the great innovators and the texts of their writings. The result is an exceptionally accurate and objective account, especially thorough in its accounts of mechanics in antiquity and the Middle Ages, and the important contributions of Jordanus of Nemore, Jean Buridan, Albert of Saxony, Nicole Oresme, Leonardo da Vinci, and many other key figures. Erudite, comprehensive, replete with penetrating insights, A History of Mechanics is an unusually skillful and wide-ranging study that belongs in the library of anyone interested in the history of science.

Both historical treatment and critical analysis, this work by a noted physicist takes a fascinating look at a fundamental of physics, tracing its development from ancient to modern times. Kepler's initiation of scientific conceptualization, Newton's definition, post-Newtonian reinterpretation - contrasting concepts of Leibniz, Boscovich, Kant with those of Mach, Kirchhoff, Hertz. In-depth analysis of contemporary trend toward eliminating force from conceptual scheme of physics. 1962 edition.

This text introduces advanced undergraduates and graduate students to symmetry relations by means of group theory. Key relationships are derived in detail from first principles. Rather than matrix theory, the treatment employs algebraic theory in deriving the properties of characters and projection operators. This approach is customarily employed in quantum mechanics courses and makes the connection to group structure clearer. Cayley diagrams illustrate the structure of finite groups. Permutation groups are considered in some detail, and the special methods needed for continuous groups are developed. The treatment's broad range of applications offers students assistance in analyzing the modes of motion of symmetric classical systems; the constitutive relations in crystalline systems; the modes of vibration in molecules; the molecular orbitals of molecules; the electronic structures of atoms; the attendant spectra; and fundamental particle multiplets. Each chapter concludes with a concise review, discussion questions, problems, and references. 1992 edition.

Written when the young science of chaos was gaining a foothold in the scientific community, this book introduces the field's concepts, applications, theory, and technique. Suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students, researchers, and teachers of mathematics, physics, and engineering, the text's major prerequisite is familiarity with differential equations and linear vector spaces. Author S. Neil Rasband discusses the major models for the transitions to chaos exhibited by dynamic systems, introducing the "classical" topics and examples fundamental to the discipline. The most important routes to chaos are presented within a unified framework and supported by integrated problem sets. Topics include one- and two-dimensional maps, universality theory, fractal dimension, differential and conservative dynamics, and other subjects. The text is supplemented by a helpful glossary, references, and an index.

First published in English in 1935, this classic treatment is well known to students and teachers of physics around the world. Since its original publication, Professor Born (Nobel laureate, 1954) continually updated the book to incorporate new developments in all branches of physics, particularly in the field of elementary particles. For this eighth edition he also wrote a new chapter on the quantum theory of solids. Contents include: Kinetic theory of gases Elementary particles Spin of the electron and Paul's principle The nuclear atom Wave-corpuscles Atomic structure and spectral lines Quantum statistics Molecular structure Quantum theory of solids Nuclear physics Over 40 helpful appendixes, dealing with the mean square deviation, theory of relativity, electron theory, the Compton effect, Hamiltonian theory and action variables, atomic form factor, meson theory, van der Waals forces, and other topics supplement the main text. A bibliography and numerous figures and graphs further enhance the usefulness of Atomic Physics, which retains its value as a broad treatment of basic physics from the special perspective of a towering figure in the field.

Undergraduates in engineering and the physical sciences receive a thorough introduction to perturbation theory in this useful and accessible text. Students discover methods for obtaining an approximate solution of a mathematical problem by exploiting the presence of a small, dimensionless parameter - the smaller the parameter, the more accurate the approximate solution. Knowledge of perturbation theory offers a twofold benefit: approximate solutions often reveal the exact solution's essential dependence on specified parameters; also, some problems resistant to numerical solutions may yield to perturbation methods. In fact, numerical and perturbation methods can be combined in a complementary way. The text opens with a well-defined treatment of finding the roots of polynomials whose coefficients contain a small parameter. Proceeding to differential equations, the authors explain many techniques for handling perturbations that reorder the equations or involve an unbounded independent variable. Two disparate practical problems that can be solved efficiently with perturbation methods conclude the volume. Written in an informal style that moves from specific examples to general principles, this elementary text emphasizes the "why" along with the "how"; prerequisites include a knowledge of one-variable calculus and ordinary differential equations. This newly revised second edition features an additional appendix concerning the approximate evaluation of integrals.

Hailed as "an excellent survey" by Physics Today, this encyclopedic reference covers virtually every aspect of neutron physics. Its accessible treatment constitutes a major compilation of fundamental properties and interactions. 1994 edition.