Finding the Perfect Self-Study Book for Intro Stats & Quantum Mechanics

[Kashmir]

Can you please suggest a good introductory statistical and quantum mechanics book which can be self studied.

My math background :
I've done multivariate calculus, vector calculus, linear algebra ,some complex analysis all at the usual undergraduate level.

The books I've self studied thus far are:

1) Mechanics : Kleppner and Kolenkow
2) Electrodynamics : Griffiths
3)Mathematical method: Boas
4) Classical mechanics : Goldstein ( just finished 4th chapter after so much
labor) -) Quantum mechanics :Griffiths ( I stopped after 2nd chapter, I felt I wanted a little bit more rigorous book that uses bra ket) As you can see I'm lacking in quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, so with my current background could you please suggest book on quantum mechanics and statistical mechanic which are easier to self study.

Thank you.

 

[smodak]

Can you please suggest a good introductory statistical and quantum mechanics book which can be self studied.

My math background :
I've done multivariate calculus, vector calculus, linear algebra ,some complex analysis all at the usual undergraduate level.

The books I've self studied thus far are:

1) Mechanics : Kleppner and Kolenkow
2) Electrodynamics : Griffiths
3)Mathematical method: Boas
4) Classical mechanics : Goldstein ( just finished 4th chapter after so much
labor)-) Quantum mechanics :Griffiths ( I stopped after 2nd chapter, I felt I wanted a little bit more rigorous book that uses bra ket)As you can see I'm lacking in quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, so with my current background could you please suggest book on quantum mechanics and statistical mechanic which are easier to self study.

Thank you.

Quantum Mechanics: A Paradigms Approach by McIntyre

A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics by Townsend

 

[Kashmir]

Quantum Mechanics: A Paradigms Approach by McIntyre

A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics by Townsend

Thank you for your advice, is there any additional video lecture or any other material that might help me?

 

[Kashmir]

Quantum Mechanics: A Paradigms Approach by McIntyre

A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics by Townsend

Any advice on stat mech?

 

[vanhees71]

Can you please suggest a good introductory statistical and quantum mechanics book which can be self studied.

My math background :
I've done multivariate calculus, vector calculus, linear algebra ,some complex analysis all at the usual undergraduate level.

The books I've self studied thus far are:

1) Mechanics : Kleppner and Kolenkow
2) Electrodynamics : Griffiths
3)Mathematical method: Boas
4) Classical mechanics : Goldstein ( just finished 4th chapter after so much
labor)-) Quantum mechanics :Griffiths ( I stopped after 2nd chapter, I felt I wanted a little bit more rigorous book that uses bra ket)As you can see I'm lacking in quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, so with my current background could you please suggest book on quantum mechanics and statistical mechanic which are easier to self study.

Thank you.

Quantum mechanics:
J. J. Sakurai and S. Tuan, Modern Quantum Mechanics,
Addison Wesley (1993).

The newer one coauthored by Napolitano seems to have kept most of the beauty of this one but has added a chapter on so-called "relativistic quantum mechanics", which I recommend NOT to read, because relativsitic QT should be learned as quantum field theory right away. With Sakurai for non-relativistic QT you are well-prepared to do so if you wish (e.g., using Schwartz's or Peskin&Schroeder's textbooks).

Statistical mechanics:
L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz, Course of Theoretical
Physics Volume V, Pergamon Press (1980).

 

[Kashmir]

Quantum mechanics:
J. J. Sakurai and S. Tuan, Modern Quantum Mechanics,
Addison Wesley (1993).

The newer one coauthored by Napolitano seems to have kept most of the beauty of this one but has added a chapter on so-called "relativistic quantum mechanics", which I recommend NOT to read, because relativsitic QT should be learned as quantum field theory right away. With Sakurai for non-relativistic QT you are well-prepared to do so if you wish (e.g., using Schwartz's or Peskin&Schroeder's textbooks).

Statistical mechanics:
L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz, Course of Theoretical
Physics Volume V, Pergamon Press (1980).

Thank you for your advice but I'm a bit scared since I've learned on the internet that both of the texts you advise are not suitable for an person first encountering these subjects, or is it that with the background I've mentioned you think I'm good to go with these texts?

 

[vanhees71]

I'd say so. Of course, it's always good, to check any book, whether it's good for you, e.g., at a library etc. before buying them. After all textbooks are quite expensive :-(.

 

[Kashmir]

I'd say so. Of course, it's always good, to check any book, whether it's good for you, e.g., at a library etc. before buying them. After all textbooks are quite expensive :-(.

That's true. I think Knowledge should not cost anything in terms of money, it's above money.

 

[smodak]

Thank you for your advice, is there any additional video lecture or any other material that might help me?

Assuming you know basic linear algebra, you should just start with one of those two books. I do not think you would need additional video lectures. I would start with McIntyre.

 

[Kashmir]

Assuming you know basic linear algebra, you should just start with one of those two books. I do not think you would need additional video lectures. I would start with McIntyre.

Yes I've self studied linear algebra from Gilbert strang almost done till Jordan canonical form.
Thank you for pointing me the way.
Happy learning sir :)

 

[smodak]

Any advice on stat mech?

I do not have any specific recommendations on statistical mechanics, hoping others could chime in. I agree with your assesment that Sakurai and Landau, although phenomenal books, may be a little too much for a first encounter.

 

[hutchphd]

I

I do not have any specific recommendations on statistical mechanics, hoping others could chime in.

I liked Reif forty odd years ago. I think it, in conjunction with Landau, might be a good combination (and you should be able to find lots of used copies cheap).

 

[Kashmir]

I

I liked Reif forty odd years ago. I think it, in conjunction with Landau, might be a good combination (and you should be able to find lots of used copies cheap).

Thank you for your comment. Could you please tell me Which reif it is? The Berkeley one or the other one?

 

[hutchphd]

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/fundamentals-of-statistical-and-thermal-physics-mcgraw-hill-series-in-fundamentals-of-physics_frederick-reif/275192/item/4243874/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAy4eNBhCaARIsAFDVtI2UgghEsFkcnAwNSFE3pJ6b_vpFXI0_8rx9zqukmQ9e1gjb43K7LT8aAm_YEALw_wcB#idiq=4243874&edition=2340290
My guess is that the Berkeley one is similar but I've not seen it.

 

[Kashmir]

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/fundamentals-of-statistical-and-thermal-physics-mcgraw-hill-series-in-fundamentals-of-physics_frederick-reif/275192/item/4243874/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAy4eNBhCaARIsAFDVtI2UgghEsFkcnAwNSFE3pJ6b_vpFXI0_8rx9zqukmQ9e1gjb43K7LT8aAm_YEALw_wcB#idiq=4243874&edition=2340290
My guess is that the Berkeley one is similar but I've not seen it.

Thelink you've shared isn't the Berkeley one.
The Berkeley one is little more basic is that one you meant?

 

[hutchphd]

I did not use the Berkeley one. I used the first edition as shown..

 

[vanhees71]

That's the "big Reif", which is a very good book on statistical physics and thermodynamics. The Berkeley Physics course volume on statistical physics is the "little Reif" and (at least) as good as the big one. I'd say the former is graduate the latter undergraduate level. I find both very good books on the challenging topic of statistical physics.

 

[Amrator]

For quantum mechanics, Understanding Quantum Physics by Michael Morrison is a very underrated book. Supplement that book with A Student's Guide to the Schrödinger Equation by Daniel Fleisch and you should be good. Another great supplement is No-Nonsense Quantum Mechanics: A Student-Friendly Introduction by Jakob Schwichtenberg, which provides a very intuitive understanding of the subject.

For statistical mechanics, my favorite book is An Introduction to Thermal Physics by Daniel Schroeder.