Possible typo in Ashcroft & Mermin's book?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around potential typographical errors in Ashcroft & Mermin's "Solid State Physics," specifically in Appendix M regarding the conservation of crystal momentum and in Chapter 17 related to the Lindhard theory of screening. Participants are examining specific equations and symbols used in the text.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that in Eq. (M.6), the symbol Pi (capital P) is incorrectly used instead of pi (small p) for additional particles.
  • Another participant agrees, noting that Ashcroft & Mermin do not use the symbol {\bf P}_i for ions and instead use {\bf P}({\bf R}), reinforcing the idea that it is likely a typo.
  • A participant acknowledges their own mistake in referring to the symbol and reiterates that Eq. (M.6) should feature a small p instead of a capital P.
  • A different participant identifies another potential typo in problem 5 of Chapter 17, suggesting that \psi_k(r)^2 should be |\psi_k(r)|^2 in equation (17.80).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there are typographical errors in the text, but the discussion remains open to further verification and additional potential errors.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not resolved the implications of these potential typos on the overall understanding of the material, and the discussion is limited to the specific equations mentioned.

FranzDiCoccio
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Hi,

I was taking a look to Appendix M of A&M "Solid State Physics" (Conservation of Crystal Momentum). Seems to me that in Eq. (M.6), at page 785 in my edition, the symbol Pi (capital P, defined for the ions) is used in place of pi (small p, defined for additional particles).

I'm new to the forum, so I'm not sure that this kind of comment fits in this topic or rather in Homework and Coursework...

I also hope I'm not taking a blunder, and that this comment is not too useless.

Cheers
 
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I think you are correct--it's a typo.

In fact, A+M don't use the symbol {\bf P}_i for the ions, or anywhere else in the appendix. They use {\bf P}({\bf R}). Thus it seems even more reasonable that what we they have is a typo.
 
olgranpappy said:
I think you are correct--it's a typo.

In fact, A+M don't use the symbol {\bf P}_i for the ions, or anywhere else in the appendix. They use {\bf P}({\bf R}). Thus it seems even more reasonable that what we they have is a typo.

Yes, sorry, I meant P(R) instead of Pi. Seems I introduced a typo as well.
Anyway, the point is that (Eq. M6) should feature a small p instead of a capital P.

Thanks a lot for replying. Probably not a very dangerous typo, but I thought it was perhaps worth sharing.

Cheers

F
 
I think I've spotted another typo. It's in problem 5 of Chapter 17 "beyond the independent ..." (page 352 in my edition of the book).
Problem 5 illustrates the derivation of equation (17.56), i.e. \chi(q) in the Lindhard theory of screening. I think \psi_k(r)^2 should be |\psi_k(r)|^2 in equation (17.80).

Hope someone finds this useful.

cheers
 

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