Anyone tried "Problem Book in Quantum Field Theory" by Radovanovic?

[Haorong Wu]

It is a wonderful book for learning QFT. Interesting problems with detailed solutions. I have tried the problems from chapter 1 to chapter 7. In most chapters, I could at least solve some part of the problems. But I got stuck in chapter 4, the Dirac equation. I could not solve any of the problems independently except the first one. I even can not understand some solutions for them.

Therefore, I would like to ask anyone who has tried this book that should I just skip this chapter or try harder, given the conditions that QFT is not in my graduate courses, and I am learning GR in the same time, and I am interested in combining QFT, and GR with optics, QC, and QI.

 

[DartomicTech]

It is a wonderful book for learning QFT. Interesting problems with detailed solutions. I have tried the problems from chapter 1 to chapter 7. In most chapters, I could at least solve some part of the problems. But I got stuck in chapter 4, the Dirac equation. I could not solve any of the problems independently except the first one. I even can not understand some solutions for them.

Therefore, I would like to ask anyone who has tried this book that should I just skip this chapter or try harder, given the conditions that QFT is not in my graduate courses, and I am learning GR in the same time, and I am interested in combining QFT, and GR with optics, QC, and QI.

I've found that when I practice the solutions that are given, everyday, even if I do not understand them, that I understand them after I have them memorized and still practice them. I think it is because the connections that form the memory of the solution, also form a way for the brain to comprehend the information. Try that if you really want to learn it.

 

[Antarres]

I have passed pretty much that whole problem book, and it's pretty decent, I must say. The Dirac equation chapter pretty much starts with deriving the basic theoretical results that you can find in any QFT book(like solving the Dirac equation, for example), and then proceeds with additional exercises assuming you know the theory. So it's reasonable if you couldn't solve them instantenously, it depends how well you know the derivations from your QFT book(I used Mandl & Shaw, and Peskin & Schroeder mainly, when I was doing that course).

Reading the solutions for those problems and trying to derive those solutions while reading them, will be useful for you, though. Then you can try again to see if you understood it correctly.

 

[AndreasC]

I've found that when I practice the solutions that are given, everyday, even if I do not understand them, that I understand them after I have them memorized and still practice them. I think it is because the connections that form the memory of the solution, also form a way for the brain to comprehend the information. Try that if you really want to learn it.

One thing that has worked for me: I basically copy the proof translating it into my native language, though I guess writing it in your own words also helps. I try to write it in words and sentence structures I find simpler. Then the next day I re-read it from my notes. Then I try to write it out, step by step, by memory, or at least write what the steps are. I try breaking it down to small simple steps. Eventually it clicks and I feel stupid for not figuring it out earlier.

 

[mpresic3]

Sounds like a good book. I will have to check it out