Read more
Informationen zum Autor HENDRIK F. HAMEKA is Professor of Theoretical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Originally trained as a theoretical physicist, he studied quantum mechanics under H. A. Kramers (who in turn had studied under Niels Bohr). This study sparked his interest in chemical applications of quantum mechanics, which subsequently became his principal research specialty. He has written four previous textbooks on this subject, the last of which was published by Wiley. Klappentext A unique introductory text on quantum mechanics, from basic principles to historical perspective.* Includes description of the historical developments that led to the discovery of QM, often left out of other textbooks.* Emphasizes basic concepts that were essential in this discovery, placing them in context and making them more understandable to students.* Written in an easy-to-understand style and assuming no prior knowledge of the topic, this book provides a solid foundation for future study of quantum chemistry.* Includes problem sets for student use. Zusammenfassung A unique introductory text on quantum mechanics, from basic principles to historical perspective.* Includes description of the historical developments that led to the discovery of QM, often left out of other textbooks.* Emphasizes basic concepts that were essential in this discovery, placing them in context and making them more understandable to students.* Written in an easy-to-understand style and assuming no prior knowledge of the topic, this book provides a solid foundation for future study of quantum chemistry.* Includes problem sets for student use. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface xi 1 The Discovery of Quantum Mechanics 1 I Introduction 1 II Planck and Quantization 3 III Bohr and the Hydrogen Atom 7 IV Matrix Mechanics 11 V The Uncertainty Relations 13 VI Wave Mechanics 14 VII The Final Touches of Quantum Mechanics 20 VIII Concluding Remarks 22 2 The Mathematics of Quantum Mechanics 23 I Introduction 23 II Differential Equations 24 III Kummer's Function 25 IV Matrices 27 V Permutations 30 VI Determinants 31 VII Properties of Determinants 32 VIII Linear Equations and Eigenvalues 35 IX Problems 37 3 Classical Mechanics 39 I Introduction 39 II Vectors and Vector Fields 40 III Hamiltonian Mechanics 43 IV The Classical Harmonic Oscillator 44 V Angular Momentum 45 VI Polar Coordinates 49 VII Problems 51 4 Wave Mechanics of a Free Particle 52 I Introduction 52 II The Mathematics of Plane Waves 53 III The Schrödinger Equation of a Free Particle 54 IV The Interpretation of the Wave Function 56 V Wave Packets 58 VI Concluding Remarks 62 VII Problems 63 5 The Schrödinger Equation 64 I Introduction 64 II Operators 66 III The Particle in a Box 68 IV Concluding Remarks 71 V Problems 72 6 Applications 73 I Introduction 73 II A Particle in a Finite Box 74 III Tunneling 78 IV The Harmonic Oscillator 81 V Problems 87 7 Angular Momentum 88 I Introduction 88 II Commuting Operators 89 III Commutation Relations of the Angular Momentum 90 IV The Rigid Rotor 91 V Eigenfunctions of the Angular Momentum 93 VI Concluding Remarks 96 VII Problems 96 8 The Hydrogen Atom 98 I Introduction 98 II Solving the Schrödinger Equation 99 III Deriving the Energy Eigenvalues 101 IV The Behavior of the Eigenfunctions 103 V Problems 106 9 Approximate Methods 108 I Introduction 108 II The Variational Principle 109 ...
