Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles 2nd Edition

A decades-long career teaching mathematics and physics at the university level has enabled me to accumulate a list of mathematics and physics textbooks that have proven to be exceptionally valuable. I define "exceptionally valuable" as follows: In addition to displaying a solid command of the material covered, the book must be so clearly written and well-organized that any motivated, sufficiently prepared reader can learn through independent study of the text. In Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei and Particles, 2nd Ed., Robert Eisberg and Robert Resnick have produced a book that ranks at the very top of my list. This book is a masterpiece. I know of no other introductory level quantum physics text that even approaches it in clarity, depth, and explanatory power.The single greatest strength of Eisberg and Resnick's book--and its most distinctive feature--involves the thorough, detailed discussion of the subject's history, allowing the reader to experience, step by step, HOW quantum theory developed into its present form and why the logic of classical mechanics had to be abandoned along the way. The reader is asked to take nothing on faith. Key early papers and many critical experiments are all discussed in detail. Most of Chapter 1, for example, is devoted to a mathematically rigorous analysis of Max Planck's solution to the ultraviolet catastrophe---a seminal moment in quantum history.As a consequence of the historical approach, the book is 864 pages long. This is in stark contrast with many of the more recent texts on quantum mechanics, which are leaner and more inclined to pass over historical and philosophical considerations and proceed directly into computations using Schroedinger's equation. The educational philosophy behind some of these texts appears to be that one must first learn how to DO quantum mechanics before any real understanding of the subject can be acquired. In response to this view, I will quote Nobel Laureate Frank Wilczek [The Lightness of Being, p. 128]: "Knowing how to calculate something is not the same as understanding it." It is true that quantum physics presents a greater conceptual challenge than, say, classical mechanics; but as Eisberg and Resnick show, it is still possible to bring students along coneptually while developing computational skills. It just requires more thorough discussions.The only prerequisites for this book are solid courses in single and multivariable calculus, and an introduction to general university physics. The authors even devote considerable space to helping the reader with the partial and ordinary differential equations that appear in the subject. There are many non-trivial examples distributed throughout the text, complete with detailed solutions; these examples form an integral part of the text, and many of them develop ideas that are not discussed elsewhere in the text. The serious reader will want to attempt each of these problems on his own before reading the solutions provided. Finally, the book has been around long enough that complete and partial solutions manuals are available for those who wish to purchase them.Some readers will want to continue their study at a more advanced level after reading Eisberg and Resnick. I highly recommend the three-volume set Quantum Mechanics by Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, Bernard Diu, and Franck Laloe. For mathematically inclined readers who wish to study the underlying mathematics in a more mathematically mature and rigorous manner, I recommend beginning with the wonderful book Quantum Theory for Mathematicians by Brian Hall, and then pursuing some of the references it contains.I want to conclude with an open message to John Wiley and Sons, publishers of this remarkable textbook. Eisberg and Resnick's book is so important and irreplaceable that it merits an updating to a third edition; many important developments have occurred in quantum physics since the 1985 publication of the second edition. Since Professor Resnick is no longer with us and Professor Eisberg is retired, perhaps additional help is needed in producing a new third edition? The recruitment of a third co-author who could include material on recent developments while respecting and maintaining the unique strengths of the original text would be ideal. There is precedent for this: David Morin was recruited to produce a 3rd edition of the landmark book Electricity and Magnetism by Edward Purcell; as a result, an acknowledged classic was renewed for many more generations of students.

After UP I and UP II, and DE you're ready for this book. Statistics would be a benefit and having taken special relativity would be helpful, though not required (there is a quick and dirty SR section that covers the meat of the material).This is an excellent book for the historical path taken, it gives a good amount of background of each topic, which I found really helpful. Though if you just want equations, examples and questions, there may be other more direct books.Good book for self learning the underpinnings of modern physics.

I think this book is surely meant to go along with a class, I don't think it is entirely suited for independent study. The reason I feel this is that the discussion questions at the end of each chapter seem to be asking about stuff that isn't really addressed in the chapter, and requires additional knowledge unrelated to what is given in the book to answer. Also, there are no solutions to the practice problems, so you will never be able to test your own accuracy. I really believe in having solutions in the back of the book, otherwise how are you to rate your own progress and understanding? In concert with a course however and with a teacher to fill in any information gaps, I think this is a fine book! All the explanations seem clear, and the steps in the derivation processes are easy to follow!

I am very very pleased with it!I couldn't be more happy with it! This is a book that anyone who wants to be well informed should have in their possession!I have an older copy, that I bought years ago, but has suffered damage because it has travelled across the country with me in my life's journey! It is pleasing to me to be able to get a pristine and brand new copy!The book was well packaged and arrived in excellent condition! Well worth the money I paid for it!

It's the most wonderful protection for book shipping I have ever seen. For the book, the cover was totally broken, but I had saw that in the picture so it's understandable. However, the inside of the book is very good, no missing page, no handwriting or highlighting. Really like it.

Book came in today in terrible condition, the cover is held on by tape and the spine is torn. Can't believe this was considered ok by Amazon, I can guarantee this wouldn't last a semester and I'm sure they'd be happy to charge the remainder of $170 they are valuing this at if I tried to return it then. Sending it back immediately and getting a copy elsewhere.

This text is clearly written and easy to follow. It offers many examples and some of the best step by step derivations I've encountered in a text book. The book assumes no prior knowledge of the reader and offers a solid foundation from the beginning. Great introductory text.

This book is very useful and easy to understand.