Essays in Physics
Thirty-two thoughtful essays on topics in undergraduate-level physics
Published on 16. July 2021
Book
Hardback
486 pages
978-0-19-885724-2 (ISBN)
Description
Each of this book's 32 essays discusses a chosen topic, at a level that is generally within that of a four-year degree course in Physics. The essays supplement (indeed sometimes correct) treatments usually given, or supplies reasoning that tends to fall through the cracks. The author uses his life long experience of tutorial teaching at Oxford to know what topics often need such discussion, for clarification, or for avoidance of common confusions. The book contains accounts of even-standard topics, accounts that offer an unusual emphasis, or a fresh insight, or more than customary rigour, or a cross-link to apparently unrelated material.
The student (and their teachers) who really wants to understand physics will find this book indispensable. Often the outcome of tutorial discussion has been an understanding that lies a little to the side of what is presented in standard texts. Such understanding is presented here in the essays. The topics covered are diverse and have something useful to say across most areas of a physics degree.
The student (and their teachers) who really wants to understand physics will find this book indispensable. Often the outcome of tutorial discussion has been an understanding that lies a little to the side of what is presented in standard texts. Such understanding is presented here in the essays. The topics covered are diverse and have something useful to say across most areas of a physics degree.
Reviews / Votes
An intriguing and provocative addition to the standard textbooks, well written and in an informal style, providing much food for thought for teachers and students alike. * Derek Lee, Imperial College London * It will appeal to anybody who appreciates the finer points in physics - a very useful addition to the general reading of both students and academics. * John Pierrus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg * This book is unique and timeless as the errors and misconceptions discussed in the Essays seem to be perpetual and eternal (until students read Brooker's book). * Dmitry Budker, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany, and University of California at Berkeley *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
161 line drawings and halftones
Dimensions
Height: 260 mm
Width: 208 mm
Thickness: 31 mm
Weight
1255 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-885724-2 (9780198857242)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Geoffrey Brooker
Essays in Physics
Thirty-two thoughtful essays on topics in undergraduate-level physics
Book
07/2021
Oxford University Press
€48.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
Geoffrey Brooker
Essays in Physics
Thirty-two thoughtful essays on topics in undergraduate-level physics
E-Book
07/2021
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€33.99
Available for download
Person
Geoffrey Brooker joined Wadham College Oxford as a Fellow by Special Election in 1969, becoming Fellow and Tutor in Physics and University Lecturer in Physics from 1970 to 2003, when he was awarded the title of Emeritus Fellow.
Content
1: Electromagnetic energy
2: Electromagnetism: microscopic and macroscopic fields
3: Vector theorems
4: Longitudinal and transverse waves
5: Transmission lines, the universe and everything
6: Counting quantum states and field modes
7: Four-vectors in relativity
8: The Lorentz transformation
9: Diffraction integrals and the Kirchhoff approximation
10: Diffraction at a slit
11: Symmetry in quantum mechanics
12: Successive approximation; perturbation theory in quantum mechanics
13: The hydrogen atom
14: Identical particles and the helium atom
15: Helium: energies for singlets and triplets
16: LS coupling; Hund's rules
17: Terms in LS coupling
18: The Zeeman effect
19: The Einstein A and B coefficients
20: The Boltzmann distribution and molecular gases
21: Free energy
22: Energy of a magnetic body: -m dB or +B dm?
23: The Debye theory of solid-state heat capacities
24: Umklapp collisions and thermal conductivity
25: Electrons and holes in semiconductors
26: The chemical potential for a semiconductor
27: Heat capacity of electrons
28: Electrons in a square lattice
29: Negative feedback
30: Stability of negative feedback
30: Quantization of waves: the stretched string
32: Spontaneous emission of radiation
2: Electromagnetism: microscopic and macroscopic fields
3: Vector theorems
4: Longitudinal and transverse waves
5: Transmission lines, the universe and everything
6: Counting quantum states and field modes
7: Four-vectors in relativity
8: The Lorentz transformation
9: Diffraction integrals and the Kirchhoff approximation
10: Diffraction at a slit
11: Symmetry in quantum mechanics
12: Successive approximation; perturbation theory in quantum mechanics
13: The hydrogen atom
14: Identical particles and the helium atom
15: Helium: energies for singlets and triplets
16: LS coupling; Hund's rules
17: Terms in LS coupling
18: The Zeeman effect
19: The Einstein A and B coefficients
20: The Boltzmann distribution and molecular gases
21: Free energy
22: Energy of a magnetic body: -m dB or +B dm?
23: The Debye theory of solid-state heat capacities
24: Umklapp collisions and thermal conductivity
25: Electrons and holes in semiconductors
26: The chemical potential for a semiconductor
27: Heat capacity of electrons
28: Electrons in a square lattice
29: Negative feedback
30: Stability of negative feedback
30: Quantization of waves: the stretched string
32: Spontaneous emission of radiation