The Meaning of Quantum Theory: A Guide for Students of Chemistry and Physics (Oxford Science Publications)

An excellent coverage of all things quantum theory. It starts off going over the foundations and concepts of quantum theory, similar to the concepts you would learn in an undergraduate course. Baggott goes over the foundations concisely and logically. It's no textbook (as he says at the beginning) but it's fantastic as a refresher or to solidify your understanding of the concepts. The second part of the book is a discussion of the interpretations of quantum mechanics, looking at the Copenhagen interpretation, hidden variables, many worlds etc. It's a very good account of all the most popular theories, and understanding this book is a great way to get yourself thinking of quantum mechanics in a deeper way then an undergraduate course will give you.

This is the best book I've read on the philosophy of quantum mechanics, complete with mathematical detail. Non-technical readers can appreciate the book without following the math, but for curious students of physics, chemistry, and engineering, this book is a true jewel. I believe all serious students of philosophy should also read this.

This book concentrates more on the philosophical aspects of quantum theory rather than formalism and problem solving, though some simple and easy to follow derivations are presented that give real insights into the guts of the theory, which will help a reader who goes on to pursue quantum theory in greater detail. The historical debate between the positivists and realists during the theories development is presented in a very readable and entertaining way. A very well written and researched book that you will be glad you read.

I ordered this for my son who is majoring in math & physics. The book is used but in excellent condition. It was a great bargain and my son loves it.

super fast delivery, I loved the product

This is the best exposition of the subject I have ever read. It should be the introductory text for all advanced students.CAB

excellent!

The author explores a wide range of topics relating to the interpretation of quantum physics at a level accessible to advanced undergraduates who have benefited from a junior level course in modern physics intended for physics majors. Especially surprising is the inclusion of Bohmian mechanics, which is the source of the figure on the cover. (See Bohm and Hiley  The Undivided Universe: An Ontological Interpretation of Quantum Theory  for a more detailed treatment of this topic).Particularly well-treated are issues related to the possibility of hidden variable in quantum theory. A number of intellectual milestones are addressed, including Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen's (EPR) gedanken experiment, von Neumann's proof that hidden variables are incompatible with quantum physics, David Bohm's reinterpretation of the EPR experiment in terms of entangled particles of opposite spin, and the Bell inequality.Some issues, however, are addressed in a way that invites misconceptions, as is the case for the discussion of Schrodinger's cat. As pointed out by more sophisticated books, such as Mirman's  Group Theoretical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics , each state of the cat (alive or dead) is the product of particle wave functions rather than a simple wave function that can be seen as the superposition of the dead and alive states. As Mirman observes: "Since each statefunction is the product of those for each of the multitude of particles making up either cat [i.e. either the dead cat or the live cat], the interference term varies rapidly in time. Now add all these interference terms to get the total term. What is its value? Obviously zero (or exceedingly close)."

This is among the best introductions to quantum mechanics that is available for the serious layman.. Unlike many introductory surveys, this one does not avoid mathematics. Baggott wrote another one a few years later, which covered much the same ground but with more philosophical interpretation and less basic science. I found the earlier book to be more useful

Excellent companion to the course