A Unified Grand Tour of Theoretical Physics, - Softcover

Lawrie, Ian D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0852740158 ISBN 13: 9780852740156

Publisher: IOP Publishing Ltd., 1990

Synopsis

A conducted grand tour of the fundamental theories which shape our modern understanding of the physical world. This book covers the central themes of spacetime geometry and the general-relativistic account of gravity; quantum mechanics and quantum field theory; gauge theories and the fundamental forces of nature, statistical mechanics and the theory of phase transitions. The basic structure of each theory is explained in explicit mathematical detail with emphasis on conceptual understanding rather than on the technical details of specialized applications. Straightforward accounts are given of the standard models of particle physics and cosmology, and some of the more speculative ideas of modern theoretical physics are examined.
This book is unique in bringing together the diverse areas of physics which are usually treated as independent. Designed to be accessible to final year undergraduates in physics and mathematics and to provide first year graduate students with a broad introductory view of theoretical physics, it will also be of interest to scientists and engineers in other disciplines who need an account of the subject at a level intermediate between semi-popular and technical research.

About this title

Review:

"...it is perfect for an ambitious graduate student, an adventurous scientist in another field or even an ageing physics professor who has devoted himself to a speciality and would relish an excursion into unfamiliar territory." -- Physics Today

"...recommend to everyone who wants to get an understanding of the modern theories of the early universe that goes well beyond a semi-popular account without requiring a full-scale assault on the technical literature." -- Zentralblatt fur Mathematik und ihre Grenzgebiete/Mathematics Abstracts

"The book is laced with penetrating little insights delivered with a wry wit which makes for an entertaining read" -- The Times Education Supplement

"Will be uniquely valuable in assisting and encouraging our graduate students...to see and exploit the fertile connections and analogies between different sub-disciplines, so that we all become better theoretical physicists." -- Contemporary Physics

About this edition

• Publisher: IOP Publishing Ltd.
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0852740158
• ISBN 13: 9780852740156
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 380