Quantum Introduction to Quantum Chromodynamics: A Textbook

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on finding suitable introductory textbooks for Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) that are accessible to individuals with minimal calculus knowledge. Participants recommend "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by David Griffiths, although it is noted that this book is intended for university-level students. For a more approachable start, suggestions include "Calculus for Engineers" and MIT's courses led by Barton Zwiebach, along with his book "Mastering Quantum Mechanics: Essentials, Theory and Applications." Additionally, popular-level physics books such as "Quarks" by Y. Nambu and "The Quantum Quark" by A. Watson are mentioned as alternatives that do not require calculus.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of calculus concepts
  • Familiarity with linear differential equations
  • Knowledge of quantum mechanics fundamentals
  • Exposure to popular-level physics literature
NEXT STEPS
  • Read "Calculus for Engineers" to build a solid foundation in calculus
  • Explore MIT OpenCourseWare's courses 8.04-6 for practical applications of quantum mechanics
  • Study "Mastering Quantum Mechanics: Essentials, Theory and Applications" by Barton Zwiebach
  • Investigate popular physics books like "Quarks" by Y. Nambu for a non-calculus introduction to QCD
USEFUL FOR

Students transitioning from high school to university-level physics, educators seeking accessible resources for teaching QCD, and anyone interested in foundational concepts of quantum mechanics without extensive calculus knowledge.

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Is there a good introduction textbook or pdf for quantum chromodynamics?
 
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At what level?
 
Well, at the level possible for a junior high school knowing nothing about calculus to understand 60+ percent:oops:(Do such books exist with such a hard topic?)
 
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No.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
No.
Never mind. Currently learning calculus(It's so diificult ...):olduhh:
 
Well, calculus is not that difficult, if you learn it in the physics context. Which book are you using? Usually school books (at least German school books) are less understandable than introductory university textbooks, because they try to be didactical and obscure the intuitive as well as the abstract meaning of the subject. Among the university textbooks the books for pure mathematicians who must learn everything with full rigor, are more difficult than the more applied once. When I was at high school I had big trouble with math and couldn't understand my school books. Then I went to the library of my home time and got some book "Calculus for Engineers". This was the revelation, and I got hooked up with math and finally physics ;-)). I think math is the one subject of all sciences which gets distorted most in school.
 
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YoungPhysicist said:
Is there a good introduction textbook or pdf for quantum chromodynamics?

Since you mention you are in high school I recommend you start with something easier. You should read "Introduction to quantum mechanics" by David Griffiths, I love that book. Griffiths is clear and wholesome and he derives every single theorem and formula with unwavering patience
 
Hm, given the many confused questions from readers of this book in this forum, I'm not so sure. Also it's a textbook at the university level, which you read in the 4th semester or so. For an ambitioned high-school student I'd rather recommend

https://www.amazon.de/dp/0465062903/
 
Once you get a hand on calc1 and solving some basic linear differential equations (and maybe PDE's with variable separation), you could watch MIT ocw's 8.04-6, infact Barton Zwiebach(the lecturer for these courses) recently published his new book on these three courses, "Mastering quantum mechanics Essentials, theory and applications" (https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/mastering-quantum-mechanics)
I would also say the first few chapters of Griffiths QM are not too bad either, to get some initial "intuition" and feel for the subject.

Edit: just saw the dates on the post, the OP is probably not in HS anymore
 
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  • #10
YoungPhysicist said:
Well, at the level possible for a junior high school knowing nothing about calculus to understand 60+ percent:oops:(Do such books exist with such a hard topic?)
There is no serious physics, let alone QCD, without calculus. That being said, there is a lot of good popular-level physics books, which are not serious in that sense, but which do not need calculus. Some of those are specifically about QCD:
Y. Nambu, Quarks
A. Watson, The Quantum Quark
 
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  • #11
Hamiltonian said:
Edit: just saw the dates on the post, the OP is probably not in HS anymore
I thought that old threads automatically get closed.
 
  • #12
Demystifier said:
I thought that old threads automatically get closed.
The mods are probably going to close this one any time time now...
 
  • #13
Frigorifico9 said:
Since you mention you are in high school
That was 4 years ago. Hopefully he's done with high school by now.
 
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  • #14
Demystifier said:
old threads automatically get closed.
People complained.
 
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