A First Course on Symmetry, Special Relativity and Quantum Mechanics: The Foundations of Physics

This book provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to special relativity and quantum mechanics, emphasizing symmetry as an integral part of the foundation. It covers topics such as space-time diagrams, the action principle, Noether's theorem, Lorentz vectors and tensors, symmetry breaking, and general relativity. It is intended as a stand-alone or supplementary physics text for students with a basic understanding of calculus and introductory physics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 391 pages
Publication date: 19 February 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive and user-friendly book delves into the intricate realms of special relativity and quantum mechanics, forming the cornerstone of modern physics in the 21st century. A unique feature of this text is its unwavering emphasis on symmetry, recognizing its pivotal role as an essential component of this fundamental foundation. Not only does it offer a conceptual grasp of symmetry, but also provides the necessary mathematical tools for quantitative analysis, making it an invaluable precursor to more specialized and advanced books on either field.

The book introduces students to a range of topics that are often overlooked until later in their academic journey. These include space-time diagrams, the action principle, a proof of Noether's theorem, Lorentz vectors and tensors, symmetry breaking, and general relativity. Furthermore, it provides detailed explanations on current topics of widespread interest, such as gravitational waves, cosmology, Bell's theorem, entanglement, and quantum computing.

Throughout the text, a strong emphasis is placed on the interconnectedness of physics, symmetry, and mathematics. The writing style remains accessible and engaging, despite the rigorous and comprehensive nature of the content. The book is designed as a standalone or supplementary physics text for a one or two-semester course, typically taken by students who have completed an introductory calculus course and a first-year physics course covering Newtonian mechanics and some electrostatics. While basic knowledge of linear algebra is useful, all requisite mathematical background is either provided within the text or in the Appendices.

Interspersed throughout the text are over a hundred carefully crafted worked examples and challenging unsolved exercises, designed to aid students in grasping the concepts and applying them to real-world scenarios. This book serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of special relativity and quantum mechanics, paving the way for further exploration in the field of physics.

Weight: 646g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030923457
Edition number: 2nd ed. 2022