Essays in Physics - Thirty-Two Thoughtful Essays on Topics in Undergraduate-Level Physics

Essays in Physics is a consideration of the more puzzling and exciting aspects of physics, including discussions of many errors and misconceptions in the field.

List of contents

• 1: Electromagnetic energy


• 2: Electromagnetism: microscopic and macroscopic fields


• 3: Vector theorems


• 4: Longitudinal and transverse waves


• 5: Transmission lines, the universe and everything


• 6: Counting quantum states and field modes


• 7: Four-vectors in relativity


• 8: The Lorentz transformation


• 9: Diffraction integrals and the Kirchhoff approximation


• 10: Diffraction at a slit


• 11: Symmetry in quantum mechanics


• 12: Successive approximation; perturbation theory in quantum mechanics


• 13: The hydrogen atom


• 14: Identical particles and the helium atom


• 15: Helium: energies for singlets and triplets


• 16: LS coupling; Hund's rules


• 17: Terms in LS coupling


• 18: The Zeeman effect


• 19: The Einstein A and B coefficients


• 20: The Boltzmann distribution and molecular gases


• 21: Free energy


• 22: Energy of a magnetic body: -m dB or +B dm?


• 23: The Debye theory of solid-state heat capacities


• 24: Umklapp collisions and thermal conductivity


• 25: Electrons and holes in semiconductors


• 26: The chemical potential for a semiconductor


• 27: Heat capacity of electrons


• 28: Electrons in a square lattice


• 29: Negative feedback


• 30: Stability of negative feedback


• 30: Quantization of waves: the stretched string


• 32: Spontaneous emission of radiation

About the author

Geoffrey Brooker joined Wadham College Oxford as a Fellow by Special Election in 1969, becoming Fellow and Tutor in Physics and University Lecturer in Physics from 1970 to 2003, when he was awarded the title of Emeritus Fellow.

Summary

Essays in Physics is a consideration of the more puzzling and exciting aspects of physics, including discussions of many errors and misconceptions in the field.

Additional text

This book is unique and timeless as the errors and misconceptions discussed in the Essays seem to be perpetual and eternal (until students read Brooker's book).

Product details

• Authors: Geoffrey Brooker, Geoffrey (Emeritus Fellow Brooker, Brooker Geoffrey
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 16.07.2021
• EAN: 9780198857259
• ISBN: 978-0-19-885725-9
• No. of pages: 488
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Theoretical physics; SCIENCE / Physics / Quantum Theory, SCIENCE / Physics / Electricity, SCIENCE / Physics / Magnetism, SCIENCE / Physics / Electromagnetism, SCIENCE / Physics / Relativity, Quantum physics (quantum mechanics & quantum field theory), Quantum physics (quantum mechanics and quantum field theory), Electricity, electromagnetism & magnetism, Relativity physics, Electricity, electromagnetism and magnetism