Overview

This new edition provides a conducted grand tour of the fundamental theories that shape our modern understanding of the physical world. The book covers the central themes of space-time geometry and the general relativistic account of gravity; quantum mechanics and quantum-field theory; gauge theories and the fundamental forces of nature; and statistical mechanics and the theory of phase transitions. The basic structure of each theory is explained in explicit mathematical detail, with emphasis on conceptual understanding rather than on the technical details of specialized applications. Straightforward accounts are given of the standard models of particle physics and cosmology, and some of the more speculative ideas of modern theoretical physics are examined. This book brings together the diverse aspects of physics which are usually treated as independent. This new edition has been expanded and updated. It includes extensive new material in several sections throughout the book, as well as a completely new chapter. Designed to be accessible to final-year undergraduates in physics and mathematics and to provide first-year students with a broad introductory view of theoretical physics, this book should also be of interest to scientists and engineers in other disciplines who need an account of the subject at a level intermediate between semi-popular and technical research.

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9780750306041

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Reviews

Written for advanced undergraduates, this book provides an accessible introduction to the major theories about spacetime geometry, general relativity, gravitation, quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, relativistic wave equations, fundamental particles and their interactions, statistical mechanics, phase transitions, solutions, the early universe, super-symmetry and string theory. Sci-Tech Book News n for advanced undergraduates, this book provides an accessible introduction to the major theories about spacetime geometry, general relativity, gravitation, quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, relativistic wave equations, fundamental particles and their interactions, statistical mechanics, phase transitions, solutions, the early universe, super-symmetry and string theory. Sci-Tech Book News Within a single volume, this book meets a genuine need. It provides appropriate material to enable many of us to broaden our knowledge into areas that are only loosely related to our own specialisms. I can certainly recommend it, and I am sure I will regularly use it personally. The author should be congratulated on generally meeting theaims he set out to achieve . . . it is likely to prove to be an extremely helpful resource. Classical and Quantum Gravity vol. 19 a single volume, this book meets a genuine need. It provides appropriate material to enable many of us to broaden our knowledge into areas that are only loosely related to our own specialisms. I can certainly recommend it, and I am sure I will regularly use it personally. The author should be congratulated on generally meeting theaims he set out to achieve . . . it is likely to prove to be an extremely helpful resource. Classicaland Quantum Gravity vol. 19 It is not a mere popularisation of the edifices but a serious introduciton to them. Kailish Kumar, Australian National University, in The Physicist, vol. 39 not a mere popularisation of the edifices but a serious introduciton to them. Kailish Kumar, Australian National University, in The Physicist, vol. 39 A Unified Grand Tour of Theoretical Physics has a charming first chapter that compares the overview of theoretical physics offered in the following chapters to the Grand Tour of the continent taken by young Englishmen in the 18th century. . . If a person were to work through the entire book, he or she would gain an understanding of relativity, quantum theory, spacetime, tensors, gauge theories, field theory, and statistical mechanics. New to the second edition is material on string theory and supersymetry. E-STREAMS, Vol. 5, No. 9 ied Grand Tour of Theoretical Physics has a charming first chapter that compares the overview of theoretical physics offered in the following chapters to the Grand Tour of the continent taken by young Englishmen in the 18th century. . . If a person were to work through the entire book, he or she would gain an understanding of relativity, quantum theory, spacetime, tensors, gauge theories, field theory, and statistical mechanics. New to the second edition is material on string theory and supersymetry. E-STREAMS, Vol. 5, No. 9

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