Need a book to explain the princple of quanization

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of quantization of energy, specifically how it addresses the ultraviolet catastrophe and the black body problem. Participants explore the origins of the Rayleigh-Jeans equation, Planck's modifications, and the rationale behind the quantization of energy for harmonic oscillators within black bodies. The scope includes theoretical understanding and recommendations for literature that can provide clarity on these topics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how quantization of energy resolves the ultraviolet catastrophe and the black body problem, questioning the derivation of the Rayleigh-Jeans equation and Planck's modifications.
  • Another participant suggests the Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol 1 Chapter 41, as a clear resource for understanding these concepts.
  • A different participant recommends the Openstax College Physics book, specifically Chapter 29, as potentially helpful in explaining quantization.
  • Several participants propose introductory quantum mechanics books, including works by Cohen-Tannoudji, Griffith, and Greiner, as well as the Feynman Lectures.
  • One participant endorses "Quantum Concepts in Physics" by Malcolm Longair, highlighting its historical perspective on the development of quantum mechanics.
  • Another participant critiques Longair's book, arguing that its historical perspective may be confusing and suggests Dirac's textbook or Sakurai and Tuan's "Modern Quantum Mechanics" for a more straightforward approach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best resources for understanding quantization of energy, with differing opinions on the effectiveness of historical perspectives versus more straightforward approaches. There is also disagreement regarding the clarity of certain recommended texts.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with quantum mechanics and the historical development of the field, indicating that some may find certain texts more accessible than others based on their background knowledge.

patric44
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hi guys

i am struggling to understand how and why quantization of energy solves the UV catastrophe and the black body problem ? and how they get to the Rayleigh - jeans equation in the first place ? and why plank modified the equation the way he did ? and why should the harmonic oscillators inside the black body have quantized energy ?

is there is a book ( a free book would be great ) to explain in details these things for me ?
 
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I don't think you will find a clearer explanation than the Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol 1 Chapter 41. It is available online here. If that doesn't answer your questions, come back and ask.
 
For me, i think some introduction QM books may help you :wink:
You can find Quantum Mechanics by Cohen-Tannoudji, Introduction of QM by Griffith, QM-An introduction by W. Greiner, or Feynman lecture...
 
I really like "Quantum Concepts in Physics: An Alternative Approach to the Understanding of Quantum Mechanics" by Malcolm Longair (2013). This book, intended to be a compliment to (but not substitute for) standard courses and texts on quantum mechanics, presents quantum mechanics from a historical perspective at about the level of a senior undergraduate.

Form the back cover:
"Written for advanced undergraduates, physicists, and historians and philosophers of physics, this book tells the story of the development of our understanding of quantum phenomena through the extraordinary years of the first three decades of the twentieth century. Rather than following the standard axiomatic approach, this book adopts a historical perspective, explaining clearly and authoritatively how pioneers such as Heisenberg, Schrödinger, Pauli and Dirac developed the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and merged them into a coherent theory, and why the mathematical infrastructure of quantum mechanics has to be as complex as it is. The author creates a compelling narrative, providing a remarkable example of how physics and mathematics work in practice. The book encourages an enhanced appreciation of the interaction between mathematics, theory and experiment, helping the reader gain a deeper understanding of the development and content of quantum mechanics than any other text at this level."
 
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Judged from the cited back cover, I can only warn against this book. The historical perspective is very confusing as QT has been very confusing before it was really understood (by Dirac). If you want a historical source, read Dirac's famous textbook. For a straight-forward approach, I recommend Sakurai, Tuan, Modern Qunatum Mechanics, Revised Edition.
 

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