Essentials of Physics Series

This updated edition provides an introduction to computational physics in order to perform physics experiments on the computer. Computers can be used for a wide variety of scientific tasks, from the simple manipulation of data to simulations of real-world events. This book is designed to provide the reader with a grounding in scientific programming. It contains many examples and exercises developed in the context of physics problems. The new edition now uses C++ as the primary language. The book covers topics such as interpolation, integration, and the numerical solutions to both ordinary and partial differential equations. It discusses simple ideas, such as linear interpolation and root finding through bisection, to more advanced concepts in order to solve complex differential equations. It also contains a chapter on high performance computing which provides an introduction to parallel programming.

Features:

• Includes some advanced material as well as the customary introductory topics
• Uses a comprehensive C++ library and several C++ sample programs ready to use and build into a library of scientific programs
• Features problem-solving aspects to show how problems are approached and to demonstrate the methods of constructing models and solutions

Newtonian mechanics is a towering intellectual achievement that doesn’t need to be daunting. This text will walk you through introductory topics all the way to some advanced material, making it the perfect desk reference. The problem-solving aspects are fully developed, showing you how problems are approached and bringing out the ways of going about constructing a model and solution.

This introduction to the mathematical concepts used to describe fundamental physics principles is peppered with numerous examples and applications which enable the reader to master the complex mathematical concepts needed to define topics such as relativity, mechanics, and electromagnetics. Applications are included in every chapter.

This new book will guide both the experimentalist and theoretician through their compulsory laboratory courses forming part of an undergraduate physics degree. It shows students and interested readers the value and beauty within a carefully planned and executed experiment, and will help them to develop the skills to carry out experiments themselves.

This broad introduction to some of the principal areas of the physical phenomena in solid materials includes the electronic, mechanical, magnetic and optical properties of all materials. These subjects are treated in depth and provide the reader with the tools necessary for an understanding of the varied phenomena of materials. Particular emphasis is given to the reaction of materials to specific stimuli, such as the application of electric and magnetic fields. The final chapter of the book provides a broad introduction to nanotechnologies and uses some of the main tools of solid state physics to explain the behavior of nanomaterials and why they are of importance for future technologies.

This concise introduction to electromagnetic field theory emphasizes the physical foundations of the subject. Based on the author's experience both as a former field theorist (working on quantum electrodynamics) and currently as an applied optical physicist, it covers much material from the standard university syllabus plus develops a number of themes in greater detail, so as to cover non-standard topics that provide a fuller understanding of the subject.

This introduction to quantum mechanics is both reader-friendly and complete. Tit covers the conceptual and philosophical aspects of quantum mechanics before gently presenting the mathematics underlying the subject. After a chapter on the history of the theory, the whole of quantum mechanics is then presented, followed by applications of the theory and a revision chapter.

This book concentrates on presenting the theory of special relativity as the geometry of space-time. The presentation is straightforward, complete and reader-friendly, with explanatory asides, that give historical context and links with other branches of physics and mathematics. The final chapters are devoted to a comprehensive and detailed exposition of Einstein’s special relativity.