Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications

Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications

An excellent first book

This textbook combines an unusually good treatment of exactly the standard undergraduate topics in quantum mechanics with a well-integrated collection of solved and unsolved problems. It begins with a relatively standard discussion of the origins of, and motivation for, quantum theory. Chapter 2 covers the formalism (function spaces, representations, the eigenvalue problem, operators). The level of this section is sufficiently comprehensive and mathematical to allow a "real" understanding of the subsequent discussion. Zettili's treatment of the mathematics is greatly superior to some other texts (where, for example, the term "Hilbert space" is not defined, or not even mentioned). The discussion of the matrix mechanics versus wave mechanics is also well done. The later treatment of symmetries, unitary transformations, and rotation operators is also very good for this level, although Zettili doesn't discuss the Runge-Lenz vector. The exposition remains clear throughout. Oddly, Zettili neglects to present the coordinate basis solution of the harmonic oscillator, and solves this problem only using the more elegant ladder operator method (probably for brevity). The propagator isn't discussed, although this isn't yet a standard undergraduate topic. The writing is relatively brief and direct without being "cryptic" or "dry." The numerous exercises, though sometimes trivial or slightly repetitive, are useful for a first introduction, when the reader must gain an effortless mastery over the "mechanics" as well as the "theory" (the solved problems are considerably better in this respect). After Chapter 2, the problem selection emphasizes the physical, rather than the mathematical - even too much. This is rather the opposite of books like Bransden and Joachain, where the problems are largely proofs of recursion relations, and so on. The ideal would be somewhere between the two, neither sacrificing the physical meaning of QM nor downplaying the mathematical manipulations it so frequently requires. As others have noted, there are numerous typos. However, these are mostly noticeable if the reader pays close attention, and extensive errata lists can be found on the internet. A minor nuisance at worst. In summary, an ideal first text or supplement to another. This text, rather than covering various advanced topics, provides a concise and logical, yet accessible, coverage of the standard undergraduate topics in QM. Highly recommended. I wish I'd first learned from it.

Helped me make it through undergrad quantum

We were assigned Gasiorowitz as our textbook, and without Zettili I wouldn't have understood anything. This book explains the material clearly and then offers ample examples to help the reader learn how to apply the concepts to quantitative problems. The only problem I have with this book is that there are errors in the worked problems, but these are usually easy to catch and are to be expected with a first edition.

Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications

This a very good book to people that is starting the studies in quantum mechanics, although the book has some mistakes in the text.

Zuper Complete Undergraduate Quantum Mechanics book!

Unlike David Griffiths' QM book, this one contains lots of relevant worked out examples and problems. Zettili also displays the theory in an open and honest way, i.e. no hiding. There's a wealth of information in this book, so as always when studying a book, you should focus on only those topics that are relevant to your course. Otherwise you might get lost and waste time on straying. If you find a topic of interest to you, e.g. Clebsch-Gordan coefficients (for addition of angular momenta), then you will face plenty of equations that may look frightening at first, but after struggling with those for a few hours, the payoff is absolutely fulfilling! Griffiths won't give you those Heureka-moments, but Zettili will give you the mental feedback you secretly desire to motivate why you're studying such a difficult subject like QM! I'm reviewing this QM book from a mathematical point of view, so if you're looking for a more conceptual QM book, then I recommend Feynman's books. If you haven't studied QM before, then I recommend McQuarrie's Physical Chemistry book. The first 8 chapters of that book will give you an easy and relevant tour of essential calculations in QM for beginners. I also recommend McQuarrie's Mathematical methods book, since it contains a section on the Gamma function, which I believe is crucial to be able to do calculations in QM. Zettili's book displays QM with Dirac's Bra-c-ket notation, which is Zuper great tool to do integrals. It looks difficult at first, but you'll be in pain if avoid it! The problem with Griffith's QM book is that you only get half the book for the full price, the other half is included in the Instuctor's solutions manual. That way you feel very cut off several times in every chapter and there's no flow in the book. In Zettili's book you get a Zuper complete set of theory and solutions, which is great for reference! Zettili will show you how it's done through multiple solved examples and solved problems , and after that you're so full of joy that you'll happily do the extra problems (with no answers) in the end of each chapter! If you only have money for one of these 2 books, then I thoroughly recommend Zettili's QM book. But if you're a newbie to QM, have a look at McQuarrie's Physical Chemistry book, it also has a student solutions manual sold separately, with ALL solutions. Sure, there are typos in Zettili's book. But are these really an obstacle for learning QM? No! It's just gratifying to be able to correct the author. The math needed for doing the problems in this book, is mainly Calculus and Linear Algebra, but since there are so many new concepts from Mathematical methods in this book I recommend owning a Mathematical methods book. This is not beacuse new math stuff like Legendre polynomials and Spherical harmonics, etc. offer new math. They don't! They're simply strange names that use Calculus in their calculations! But you might start wondering what they are and therefore forget to learn QM which you shouldn't, so this is why I recommend a Math methods book. Don't forget that physics and mathematics is just lots of simple things, with emphasis on LOTS! This is why it's so "difficult", it's difficult to comprehend. If you're seriously studying QM for your Master's degree, then you will face almost all the topics within Zettili's book. So you cannot avoid the difficult math in serious QM, because QM IS difficult math! And Zettili's QM book is one of the best books for undergraduate physics students.

Excellent undergrad quantum book

This book is an excellent quantum book. It maintains the clarity and ease that a lot of undergraduate books have, but does not sacrifice mathematical rigor to get there. This book also contains a number of worked out examples in each chapter (good examples too, not the overly simple examples you find in a lot of books) that really help the learning process along. The combination of clarity, mathematical rigor, and excellent worked examples make this by far the best undergrad quantum book around.

Keyword : quantum+physic