Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around whether to purchase Kittel's "Introduction to Solid State Physics" for studying solid state physics, and whether it is sufficient on its own or if additional resources are necessary. Participants explore various textbooks and resources, considering their adequacy for understanding the subject matter and solving problems.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions if the 72 questions in Kittel's solutions manual are adequate for a good understanding of solid state physics.
- Another participant suggests checking course websites that use Kittel to find additional problems and resources.
- Some participants mention the potential of using "Solid State Physics" by AJ Dekker as an alternative, with one noting that Dekker may be more suitable for beginners.
- There are references to supplementary materials, including lecture notes by Simon and other textbooks like Ashcroft and Mermin, which some participants find useful for looking up concepts.
- One participant expresses uncertainty about Kittel's accessibility and suggests that Dekker could be a better choice for beginners.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on whether Kittel is sufficient on its own. There are multiple competing views regarding the adequacy of Kittel versus other texts like Dekker, and the discussion remains unresolved.
Contextual Notes
Some participants express uncertainty about the level of understanding that can be achieved with Kittel alone, and there are varying opinions on the accessibility of the text for beginners. The discussion includes references to external resources and differing preferences for textbooks.