Is "Quantum Mechanics Demystified" a good book for a beginner?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the suitability of the book "Quantum Mechanics Demystified" by David McMahon for beginners interested in self-studying quantum mechanics. Participants share their experiences and recommendations regarding this book and related resources.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants recommend "Quantum Mechanics Demystified" as a good resource for beginners, citing its accessibility and effectiveness for self-study.
  • One participant notes the presence of typos in the book and suggests that while following derivations, these typos can be spotted easily.
  • Another participant suggests that self-study in quantum mechanics may not be ideal, advocating instead for taking a course at a local college to benefit from expert guidance.
  • A participant mentions additional resources, including works by Leonard Susskind and Ballentine, as further reading for those interested in deepening their understanding of quantum mechanics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on whether "Quantum Mechanics Demystified" is the best choice for self-study, as some participants advocate for its use while others argue for formal education instead.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of confidence in self-study approaches and highlight the importance of having access to expert support when learning complex subjects like quantum mechanics.

murshid_islam
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TL;DR Summary: Is "Quantum Mechanics Demystified" a good book for a beginner for self-studying?

I'm a layman with background in high school physics and undergrad calculus. Is "Quantum Mechanics Demystified" by David McMahon a good book for self-studying and learning quantum mechanics?
 
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It's good. All books by McMahon in the demystified series are good. And no, I'm not him. :oldbiggrin:
 
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Likes   Reactions: Fakhrul Islam, bhobba, dextercioby and 7 others
I also recommend that book ( and his other books ) but you need to keep a close eye on the typos. If you follow any derivations in the book , you should find the typos easy to spot
 
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murshid_islam said:
TL;DR Summary: Is "Quantum Mechanics Demystified" a good book for a beginner for self-studying?

I'm a layman with background in high school physics and undergrad calculus. Is "Quantum Mechanics Demystified" by David McMahon a good book for self-studying and learning quantum mechanics?
QM should not be left to self-study in my opinion. I recommend taking a course at a local college instead. I say that only based on my own experience taking QM in college and the fact that you then have an expert to ask questions of.
 

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