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Quantum Theory
This superb text by David Bohm, formerly Princeton University and Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics at Birkbeck College, University of London, provides a formulation of the quantum theory in terms of qualitative and imaginative concepts that have evolved outside and beyond classical theory. Although it presents the main ideas of quantum theory essentially in nonmathematical terms, it follows these with a broad range of specific applications that are worked out in considerable mathematical detail.
Addressed primarily to advanced undergraduate students, the text begins with a study of the physical formulation of the quantum theory, from its origin and early development through an analysis of wave vs. particle properties of matter. In Part II, Professor Bohm addresses the mathematical formulation of the quantum theory, examining wave functions, operators, Schrödinger's equation, fluctuations, correlations, and eigenfunctions.
Part III takes up applications to simple systems and further extensions of quantum theory formulation, including matrix formulation and spin and angular momentum. Parts IV and V explore the methods of approximate solution of Schrödinger's equation and the theory of scattering. In Part VI, the process of measurement is examined along with the relationship between quantum and classical concepts.
Throughout the text, Professor Bohm places strong emphasis on showing how the quantum theory can be developed in a natural way, starting from the previously existing classical theory and going step by step through the experimental facts and theoretical lines of reasoning which led to replacement of the classical theory by the quantum theory.
Addressed primarily to advanced undergraduate students, the text begins with a study of the physical formulation of the quantum theory, from its origin and early development through an analysis of wave vs. particle properties of matter. In Part II, Professor Bohm addresses the mathematical formulation of the quantum theory, examining wave functions, operators, Schrödinger's equation, fluctuations, correlations, and eigenfunctions.
Part III takes up applications to simple systems and further extensions of quantum theory formulation, including matrix formulation and spin and angular momentum. Parts IV and V explore the methods of approximate solution of Schrödinger's equation and the theory of scattering. In Part VI, the process of measurement is examined along with the relationship between quantum and classical concepts.
Throughout the text, Professor Bohm places strong emphasis on showing how the quantum theory can be developed in a natural way, starting from the previously existing classical theory and going step by step through the experimental facts and theoretical lines of reasoning which led to replacement of the classical theory by the quantum theory.
672 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 1951
About the author
David Bohm
56 books390 followersDavid Joseph Bohm (December 20, 1917 – October 27, 1992) was an American scientist who has been described as one of the most significant theoretical physicists of the 20th century and who contributed innovative and unorthodox ideas to quantum theory, neuropsychology and the philosophy of mind.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 20, 2020
sooooo much maaath
Seriously, if you're weak in calculus and differential equations (like me), don't even attempt this book. According to the publisher, it's intended to be a textbook for advanced undergraduate students, and the author asserts up front that you should be at least moderately familiar with Fourier analysis before delving into the content. The math is heavy on diff eq, of course, but also relies on relatively advanced calculus concepts like operators (in particular, Hamiltonian and Hermitean), and most of the solutions are expressed (and discussed) in terms of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions (in absolute simplest terms, the use of scaling factors in functions in order to produce discrete results, which are necessary to properly quantize actions).
Although the book includes multiple equations on virtually every page until the last two chapters, the author claims to be attempting to instruct you with as little mathematical backing as possible, at least in the earliest, foundational chapters. If you're soft on advanced math, you can still follow if you've got some prior grounding in the concepts. This is why I stuck it through to the end, despite not being able to actually perform the exercises or derive the equations on my own. I am "moderately familiar" with Fourier analysis, although don't ask me to perform such an analysis on my own. I've been an avid reader of quantum mechanical literature since my teens, so I can understand what Bohm is conveying even if I can't express it mathematically.
This text was state-of-the-art in the early 1950s, although that art has been somewhat extended since then. Notably absent from the text is any discussion of entanglement (although there is a description of the EPR paradox in a somewhat different context, the latters' attempt to discredit quantum mechanics by asserting that what it calls a "complete description" can be derived from only a fractional treatment of some of its "elements of reality" [their words]. Bohm demonstrates why this attempt is shortsighted, and why E / P / R fundamentally misunderstand the underlying assumptions of QM.) And although Feynman's early contributions are mentioned, there is no discussion of Feynman diagrams (scattering is discussed pretty thoroughly, but the idea of "particle exchange" was evidently too novel at the time of publication). And finally, in this pre-quark era, there is no mention of quantum chromodynamics. Even the basic four-force Standard Model had yet to come into existence; there is mention of the notion of "nuclear forces," but these had yet to be characterized, and are touched on in only the haziest of terms.
It bears pointing out that this book is almost entirely electrodynamic in nature; that is, it deals almost exclusively with moving electrons, either "free" or bound within atoms. You will come away with some deeper insights into how spectral lines are formed, and how electric and magnetic fields alter electronic activity within atoms, but if you've got enough grounding in quantum concepts to be able to follow the text in a non-mathematical way, you're not likely to come away with much more understanding than when you went in. The deepest insights to be taken are in how neither waves nor particles serve as an even partial description of the nature of matter, and of how "wave packets," an artificial construct serving to approximate wave behavior, probably come closer in most regards than either traditional concept. Matter is simply not what we think it is, and reality is simply not what we want it to be. If you're already familiar with QM, then you already know that causality has to be discarded in favor of statistical probability; in its emphasis on the "classical limit" (the correspondence principle), this book at least allows you to salvage your intuitive understanding of how things work, and even explains how, in aggregate, causality is preserved.
I took on the text as an intellectual exercise (as I'm continuing to do with others in the Dover science series), and it is certainly challenging in that regard. I'm moving on to the Electromagnetic Field text by Albert Shadowitz, and I can already tell I'm going to regret not having first detoured into my old college algebra and calc texts, not to mention the Dover volumes on ordinary differential equations and numerical methods for scientists and engineers.
Wish me luck.
Seriously, if you're weak in calculus and differential equations (like me), don't even attempt this book. According to the publisher, it's intended to be a textbook for advanced undergraduate students, and the author asserts up front that you should be at least moderately familiar with Fourier analysis before delving into the content. The math is heavy on diff eq, of course, but also relies on relatively advanced calculus concepts like operators (in particular, Hamiltonian and Hermitean), and most of the solutions are expressed (and discussed) in terms of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions (in absolute simplest terms, the use of scaling factors in functions in order to produce discrete results, which are necessary to properly quantize actions).
Although the book includes multiple equations on virtually every page until the last two chapters, the author claims to be attempting to instruct you with as little mathematical backing as possible, at least in the earliest, foundational chapters. If you're soft on advanced math, you can still follow if you've got some prior grounding in the concepts. This is why I stuck it through to the end, despite not being able to actually perform the exercises or derive the equations on my own. I am "moderately familiar" with Fourier analysis, although don't ask me to perform such an analysis on my own. I've been an avid reader of quantum mechanical literature since my teens, so I can understand what Bohm is conveying even if I can't express it mathematically.
This text was state-of-the-art in the early 1950s, although that art has been somewhat extended since then. Notably absent from the text is any discussion of entanglement (although there is a description of the EPR paradox in a somewhat different context, the latters' attempt to discredit quantum mechanics by asserting that what it calls a "complete description" can be derived from only a fractional treatment of some of its "elements of reality" [their words]. Bohm demonstrates why this attempt is shortsighted, and why E / P / R fundamentally misunderstand the underlying assumptions of QM.) And although Feynman's early contributions are mentioned, there is no discussion of Feynman diagrams (scattering is discussed pretty thoroughly, but the idea of "particle exchange" was evidently too novel at the time of publication). And finally, in this pre-quark era, there is no mention of quantum chromodynamics. Even the basic four-force Standard Model had yet to come into existence; there is mention of the notion of "nuclear forces," but these had yet to be characterized, and are touched on in only the haziest of terms.
It bears pointing out that this book is almost entirely electrodynamic in nature; that is, it deals almost exclusively with moving electrons, either "free" or bound within atoms. You will come away with some deeper insights into how spectral lines are formed, and how electric and magnetic fields alter electronic activity within atoms, but if you've got enough grounding in quantum concepts to be able to follow the text in a non-mathematical way, you're not likely to come away with much more understanding than when you went in. The deepest insights to be taken are in how neither waves nor particles serve as an even partial description of the nature of matter, and of how "wave packets," an artificial construct serving to approximate wave behavior, probably come closer in most regards than either traditional concept. Matter is simply not what we think it is, and reality is simply not what we want it to be. If you're already familiar with QM, then you already know that causality has to be discarded in favor of statistical probability; in its emphasis on the "classical limit" (the correspondence principle), this book at least allows you to salvage your intuitive understanding of how things work, and even explains how, in aggregate, causality is preserved.
I took on the text as an intellectual exercise (as I'm continuing to do with others in the Dover science series), and it is certainly challenging in that regard. I'm moving on to the Electromagnetic Field text by Albert Shadowitz, and I can already tell I'm going to regret not having first detoured into my old college algebra and calc texts, not to mention the Dover volumes on ordinary differential equations and numerical methods for scientists and engineers.
Wish me luck.
June 3, 2014
Okay, I haven't read through the entire book. But this is one of the better textbooks on Quantum Theory I've encountered.
September 12, 2013
In this, Bohm's first book, written early in his career, he presents what was, at the time (circa 1951), the orthodox interpretation of quantum theory. This entailed the tacit assumption that physical systems fundamentally operate according to the laws of classical physics, with the probabilistic predictions of subatomic theory only interpretable insofar as they manifest particular outcomes in interaction with the macroscopic world. However, even at this early stage, Bohm evinces an ambivalence toward the apparent discontinuity inherent in this view, a dissatisfaction that would inform the eventual development of his own essentially quantum-mechanical theory. See, for instance, his assertion that the phase relations among potential eigenstates of a system persist (albeit diminished beyond any possibility of perception) even after that system is observed, implying an indeterminate quantum basis for physical processes.
A caveat to the general reader: this book is heavily mathematical, as Bohm's use of formulae in addressing the physical consequences of quantum processes presupposes the reader's background in the calculus underpinning modern physics. While it is possible to gain a basic understanding of the concepts discussed by attending only to the more prosaic passages, the effort rendered in comprehending their mathematical proofs is proportionally rewarding.
A caveat to the general reader: this book is heavily mathematical, as Bohm's use of formulae in addressing the physical consequences of quantum processes presupposes the reader's background in the calculus underpinning modern physics. While it is possible to gain a basic understanding of the concepts discussed by attending only to the more prosaic passages, the effort rendered in comprehending their mathematical proofs is proportionally rewarding.
January 14, 2011
Does...erp...not...errrp...Commdmdsputtte...
April 19, 2022
a must-read :)
November 1, 2017
Make ...brain.....hurty..
but seriously, its cheapand offers a pretty good read if your trying to understand the subject...and have no idea what your getting into. it took me a long time to get through it and the math is pretty much beyond me, but the ideas in it gave me a better understanding then I had previously.
but seriously, its cheapand offers a pretty good read if your trying to understand the subject...and have no idea what your getting into. it took me a long time to get through it and the math is pretty much beyond me, but the ideas in it gave me a better understanding then I had previously.
August 2, 2007
I didn't find this book very clear, and it meanders around somewhat without seeming to have a point. I suppose it was meant as a survey of the subject, but it doesn't present its logic well and some of the conclusions get muddled as a result.
April 7, 2008
Too. Much. Quantum. Theory. Honestly, this book is cheap (thank's Dover!) and useful, but there are better QM texts out there. It's all about Griffiths!
Currently reading
August 24, 2008entanglement rocks...
Want to read
March 10, 2011i started this book once, it is really hard. tough math and you are not eased into it. i put it down to read at a time when i was able to devote proper resources to the difficult math.
Want to read
September 5, 2009Someday...
June 24, 2013
A methodical and very technical presentation of quantum theory from first principles. Intensive mathematically but there are purely qualitative sections too.
November 22, 2016
I have not worked through every chapter. This is a certainly inexpensive reference to the essential theory. It is also highly portable which makes it easy to bring along with you for reference.
October 7, 2021
Just been reading some of the more philosophically motivated sections of this book, and it provides a good overview in plain language of some of the main issues in quantum theory and suggests his preferred approach of a lean towards a holistic approach in quantum theory of a fundamental interconnection between quantum phenomena such as electrons and their surrounding environment and how they are measured, as to what form they will take, as a definite particle or a wave form.
The phenomena cannot be completely isolated from its measurement and measuring apparatus in how it will present itself, like we presume we can do to an unlimited degree of accuracy with classical things. At the same time, however, the quantum phenomena rely on the reality of the classical domain, rather than this domain being deducible from quantum phenomena, and this leaves us with the still ongoing problem of how to reasonably account for the collapse of the wave function in a coherent physical world view.
The phenomena cannot be completely isolated from its measurement and measuring apparatus in how it will present itself, like we presume we can do to an unlimited degree of accuracy with classical things. At the same time, however, the quantum phenomena rely on the reality of the classical domain, rather than this domain being deducible from quantum phenomena, and this leaves us with the still ongoing problem of how to reasonably account for the collapse of the wave function in a coherent physical world view.
August 22, 2018
An old textbook that's an excellent read if you have the time to read it alongside a more modern textbook.
This pedagogical (but slightly outdated) treatment of Quantum Mechanics includes some material that's rarely found in other textbooks and the author shares his many insights.
This pedagogical (but slightly outdated) treatment of Quantum Mechanics includes some material that's rarely found in other textbooks and the author shares his many insights.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews