Basic Theoretical Physics

This concise treatment embraces, in four parts, all the main concepts of theoretical physics: Mechanics and Basic Relativity; Electrodynamics and Aspects of Optics; Non-relativistic Quantum Mechanics; and Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics. It thus serves both as an excellent review and preparation tool, and as a convenient reference source, covering the whole of theoretical physics. It may also be successfully employed to deepen readers’ insight and add new dimensions to their understanding of these fundamental concepts. Recent topics such as holography and quantum cryptography are included, thus making this a unique contribution to the learning material for theoretical physics.

Part I Mechanics and Basic Relativity

1 Space and Time

2 Force and Mass

3 Basic Mechanics of Motion in One Dimension

4 Mechanics of the Damped and Driven Harmonic Oscillator

5 The Three Classical Conservation Laws; Two-particle Problems

6 Motion in a Central Force Field; Kepler’s Problem

7 The Rutherford Scattering Cross-section

8 Lagrange Formalism I: Lagrangian and Hamiltonian

9 Relativity I: The Principle of Maximal Proper Time (Eigenzeit)

10 Coupled Small Oscillations

11 Rigid Bodies

12 Remarks on Non-integrable Systems: Chaos

13 Lagrange Formalism II: Constraints

14 Accelerated Reference Frames

15 Relativity II: E=mc2

Part II Electrodynamics and Aspects of Optics

16 Introduction and Mathematical Preliminaries to Part II

17 Electrostatics and Magnetostatics

18 Magnetic Field of Steady Electric Currents

19 Maxwell’s Equations I: Faraday’s and Maxwell’s Laws

20 Maxwell’s Equations II: Electromagnetic Waves

21 Applications of Electrodynamics in the Field of Optics

22 Conclusion to Part II

Part III Quantum Mechanics

23 On the History of Quantum Mechanics

24 Quantum Mechanics: Foundations

25 One-dimensional Problems in Quantum Mechanics

26 The Harmonic Oscillator I

27 The Hydrogen Atom according to Schr¨odinger’s Wave Mechanics

28 Abstract Quantum Mechanics (Algebraic Methods)

29 Spin Momentum and the Pauli Principle (Spin-statistics Theorem)

30 Addition of Angular Momenta

31 Ritz Minimization

32 Perturbation Theory for Static Problems

33 Time-dependent Perturbations

34 Magnetism: An Essentially Quantum Mechanical Phenomenon

35 Cooper Pairs; Superconductors and Superfluids

36 On the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (Reality?, Locality?, Retardation?)

37 Quantum Mechanics: Retrospect and Prospect

38 Appendix: “Mutual Preparation Algorithm” for Quantum Cryptography

Part IV Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

39 Introduction and Overview to Part IV

40 Phenomenological Thermodynamics: Temperature and Heat

41 The First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics

42 Phase Changes, van der Waals Theory and Related Topics

43 The Kinetic Theory of Gases

44 Statistical Physics

45 The Transition to Classical Statistical Physics

46 Advanced Discussion of the Second Law

47 Shannon’s Information Entropy

48 Canonical Ensembles in Phenomenological Thermodynamics

49 The Clausius-Clapeyron Equation

50 Production of Low and Ultralow Temperatures; Third Law

51 General Statistical Physics (Statistical Operator; Trace Formalism).

52 Ideal Bose and Fermi Gases

53 Applications I: Fermions, Bosons, Condensation Phenomena

54 Applications II: Phase Equilibria in Chemical Physics

55 Conclusion to Part IV

Review

From the reviews:

“A comprehensive work covering the material that graduate students in physics typically would study in preparing for doctoral candidacy examinations. … This book would be very useful for self-study by motivated students, or for preparation for candidacy exams. … Practicing physicists may find that the brief, accessible treatments of many topics will earn this book a place on a convenient bookshelf. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals.” (M. C. Ogilvie, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (7), 2008)

“The book, written by two … ‘working physicists’, contains what the authors regard as being ‘basic knowledge’ in the standard courses of theoretical physics (yet) held at German Universities. … is primarily intended to cover the ‘Basic Theoretical Physics’ in a single and handy volume. … Hence, the book should be considered as being a kind of ‘compendium’ of … formulas used in theoretical physics where the formulas are filledin between with some remarks.” (Jürgen Tolksdorf, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1134 (12), 2008)