Mechanics: Classical and quantum (International series of monographs in natural philosophy)

Mechanics: Classical and Quantum explains the principles of quantum mechanics via the medium of analytical mechanics. The book describes Schrodinger's formulation, the Hamilton-Jacobi equation, and the Lagrangian formulation. The author discusses the Harmonic Oscillator, the generalized coordinates, velocities, as well as the application of the Lagrangian formulation to systems that are partially or entirely electromagnetic in character under certain conditions. The book examines waves on a string under tension, the isothermal cavity radiation, and the Rayleigh-Jeans result pertaining to the enumeration of electromagnetic modes. Other topics include Planck's quantum hypothesis and Bohr's explanation of the hydrogen spectrum. The book describes the two branches of quantum theory, namely. matrix mechanics,and wave mechanics; it also covers other topics such as waves, wave packets and the Schrodinger equation. The book cites some applications of the time-independent Schrodinger equation; the author then analyzes the separation of center-of mass-motion from relative motion relating to the hydrogen atom. Nuclear physicists, scientists, and academicians in the field of nuclear physics or quantum mechanics will find this book highly valuable. Content: INTERNATIONAL SERIES IN NATURAL PHILOSOPHY , Page ii Front Matter , Page iii Copyright , Page iv PREFACE , Pages ix-xi CHAPTER 1 - THE LAGRANGIAN FORMULATION OF MECHANICS , Pages 1-43 CHAPTER 2 - THE HAMILTONIAN FORMULATION OF MECHANICS , Pages 44-57 CHAPTER 3 - HAMILTON-JACOBI THEORY , Pages 58-82 CHAPTER 4 - WAVES , Pages 83-106 CHAPTER 5 - HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE QUANTUM THEORY , Pages 107-149 CHAPTER 6 - WAVE MECHANICS , Pages 150-166 CHAPTER 7 - THE TIME-INDEPENDENT SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION AND SOME OF ITS APPLICATIONS , Pages 167-209 CHAPTER 8 - OPERATORS, OBSERVABLES, AND THE QUANTIZATION OF A PHYSICAL SYSTEM , Pages 210-242 CHAPTER 9 - THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EXPECTATION VALUES , Pages 243-255 CHAPTER 10 - THE MOMENTUM REPRESENTATION , Pages 256-274 CHAPTER 11 - THE CONCEPT OF MEASUREMENT IN QUANTUM MECHANICS , Pages 275-289 CHAPTER 12 - THE HYDROGENIC ATOM , Pages 290-327 CHAPTER 13 - MATRIX MECHANICS , Pages 328-357 APPENDIX A - ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTION ENERGIES IN TERMS OF LOCAL POTENTIALS , Pages 358-359 APPENDIX B - CANONICITY OF THE TRANSFORMATION GENERATED BY G b ( q j , P j , t ) , Pages 360-363 APPENDIX C - MOST PROBABLE DISTRIBUTION OF ENERGY AMONG CAVITY MODES , Pages 364-366 APPENDIX D - POISSON BRACKETS , Pages 367-369 REFERENCES , Pages 370-371 SELECTED SUPPLEMENTARY REFERENCES , Page 372 PROBLEMS , Pages 373-384 NAME INDEX , Pages 385-386 SUBJECT INDEX , Pages 387-396 OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES IN NATURAL PHILOSOPHY , Pages 397-399