Re: Best Introductory Quantum Mechanics Book?

From: PD (pdraper_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 03/06/05 

Date: 6 Mar 2005 05:48:23 -0800

pedroish wrote:
> Hi, I'm an undergraduate in College and I'm looking for a book to
> supplement the Griffiths Introduction to Quantum Mechanics book. I
> find the book is a bit too concise for my tastes and makes a lot of
> assumptions as to the mathematical knowledge of the reader. I'm
> wondering is there any other book that might be a bit more help?
>
> I've heard rave reviews about Shankar and was wondering, is this the
> kind of book I'm looking for? I want a book that can build up from
> the foundations and concepts to one who isn't especially well versed
> in the maths, but willing to learn. Thanks!
>
>
> Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> ** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.usenet.com

It depends on what you're trying to learn.
If you are trying to learn ABOUT quantum mechanics without learning HOW
TO DO quantum mechanics, there are lots of books about "quantum
weirdness" that talk about the foundations of QM conceptually. However,
you'll learn less than those books will lead you to believe.
If you are trying to learn HOW TO DO quantum mechanics, you will have
to become familiar with partial differential equations, unfortunately.
No way around it.
To gain practice with that, I suggest starting with a 2nd year E&M
book.

PD

Relevant Pages

  • Re: old quantum mechanics
    ... >> nice 'history of' section in the chapter on Quantum Mechanics that might ... Regarding the book of Lindsay and Morgenau, I have it and some time ago put ... I think its purpose is neither historical nor instructional in the physics ... a philosophical point of view about logical foundations for sciences, ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: Quantum mechanics and operators?
    ... They come from Heisenberg and their justification is that they have ... Justification of the basic postulates of any theory is necessarily ... Most people simply trust that tradition selected good foundations. ... publications on the foundations of quantum mechanics. ...
    (sci.physics.research)
  • Re: Best Introductory Quantum Mechanics Book?
    ... I'm an undergraduate in College and I'm looking for a book to ... > supplement the Griffiths Introduction to Quantum Mechanics book. ... I suggest you look at Marvin Chester's "Primer of Quantum Mechanics" ...
    (sci.physics)