http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
thirty-two thoughtful essays on topics in undergraduate-level physics
1 online resource : illustrations (black and white)
"'Essays in Physics' gives accounts of 32 chosen topics. The level is that of a 3–4-year university course in Physics. The topics discussed are diverse but “mainstream”. Each essay aims to say something fresh that complements what the reader will find elsewhere. Just what “fresh” means inevitably depends somewhat on the subject matter. Some chapters give a 'different' slant on a familiar idea (e.g. electromagnetic energy, Lorentz transformation, photon emission). Some contain an analysis not available elsewhere (diffraction, feedback stability). Some correct material that is commonplace in many textbooks (much atomic physics). Some add insightful discussion to standard material (free energy, Brillouin zones). One in particular refines technique (perturbation theory). One brings order to confusion (-m dB). The aim in all cases is to encourage a fuller, and correct, understanding, and an enhanced intellectual acuity (critical faculty)"--Publisher's description.
Electromagnetic energy -- Electromagnetism: microscopic and macroscopic fields -- Vector theorems -- Longitudinal and transverse waves -- Transmission lines, the universe and everything -- Counting quantum states and field modes -- Four-vectors in relativity -- The Lorentz transformation -- Diffraction integrals and the Kirchhoff approximation -- Diffraction at a slit -- Symmetry in quantum mechanics -- Successive approximation; perturbation theory in quantum mechanics -- The hydrogen atom -- Identical particles and the helium atom -- Helium: energies for singlets and triplets -- LS coupling; Hund's rules -- Terms in LS coupling -- The Zeeman effect -- The Einstein A and B coefficients -- The Boltzmann distribution and molecular gases -- Free energy -- Energy of a magnetic body: -m · ơB or + B · ơm? -- The Debye theory of solid-state heat capacities -- Umklapp collisions and thermal conductivity -- Electrons and holes in semiconductors -- Heat capacity of electrons -- Electrons in a square lattice -- Negative feedback -- Stability of negative feedback -- Quantization of waves: the stretched string -- Spontaneous emission of radiation.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2021