What are the classical Textbooks for quantum mechanics and electromagnetism?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on identifying classical textbooks for quantum mechanics and electromagnetism suitable for self-study. Participants share recommendations and personal experiences with various texts, aiming to find resources comparable to "Goldstein's Classical Mechanics."

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest Jackson's "Classical Electrodynamics" as a classic textbook for electromagnetism.
  • Others propose Sakurai's "Modern Quantum Mechanics" for quantum mechanics.
  • A list of recommended texts includes Griffiths for both electromagnetism and quantum mechanics, along with Landau, Lifshitz, Pitaevskii, Eisberg & Resnick, and Schiff, with distinctions made between undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • One participant expresses a preference for Landau and Lifshitz for wave mechanics and Shankar for a broader approach to quantum mechanics, while critiquing Griffiths and Sakurai for various reasons.
  • Another participant advises against using Jackson for self-study, suggesting Franklin's "Classical Electromagnetism" as a more accessible alternative.
  • Concerns are raised about the completeness of Griffiths and the omission of other texts like Greiner's works in the recommendations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views on the best textbooks for quantum mechanics and electromagnetism, with no consensus reached on a definitive list of classical texts.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that certain texts may be more suitable for upper undergraduate or graduate levels, and there are varying opinions on the user-friendliness of different books for self-study.

Twukwuw
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What are the "classical Textbooks" for quantum mechanics and electromagnetism?

hi,

I want to use my vacations to study quantum mechanics and eletromagnetism.

Are there any "classical textbook" for these 2 subjects, like "Goldstein classical mechanics" for mechanics?

Thanks,
Twukwu.
 
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At that level, the classic E&M textbook is Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics.
 
maybe sakurai's modern quantum mechanics for the qm part.
 
E & M :
1) Griffiths, (2) Jackson, (3) Landau, Lif$hitz & Pitaevskii

QM :
1) Eisberg & Resnick, (2) Schiff, (3) Sakurai

Note : (1) is typical for an upper undergraduate level text. (2) and (3) are graduate level texts.
 
In my experience the best books for QM are:
1)Landau and Lif$hitz, for wave mechanics.
2)Shankar, for almost everything else.

Griffiths isn't a bad introductory text. I liked it just because it showed the derivation of a few wavefunctions.

Sakurai I found too dry and Zettili was too "pragmatic" for my liking.
Although both are brilliant once you know QM.
 
Twukwuw said:
hi,

I want to use my vacations to study quantum mechanics and eletromagnetism.

Are there any "classical textbook" for these 2 subjects, like "Goldstein classical mechanics" for mechanics?

Thanks,
Twukwu.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3540433422/?tag=pfamazon01-20
That's not really classic but u can buy from 1 of 6 used !
 
Twukwuw said:
hi,

I want to use my vacations to study quantum mechanics and eletromagnetism.

Are there any "classical textbook" for these 2 subjects, like "Goldstein classical mechanics" for mechanics?

Thanks,
Twukwu.

For *self-study*, you want something fairly user friendly. I would recommend the two books by Griffiths: Intro to Qm and Intro to Electrodynamics.
 
Twukwuw said:
hi,

I want to use my vacations to study quantum mechanics and eletromagnetism.

Are there any "classical textbook" for these 2 subjects, like "Goldstein classical mechanics" for mechanics?

Thanks,
Twukwu.

I would stay away from Jackson for self study.
A new book, "Classical Electromagnetism" by Franklin (AW.com)
is close to the Jackson graduate level but could be done on your own.
Griffiths is OK, but is a UG text that leaves much undeveloped.
 
Gokul43201 said:
E & M :
1) Griffiths, (2) Jackson, (3) Landau, Lif$hitz & Pitaevskii

QM :
1) Eisberg & Resnick, (2) Schiff, (3) Sakurai

Note : (1) is typical for an upper undergraduate level text. (2) and (3) are graduate level texts.

I wonder why books like Griffiths, Greiner are not listed...I find Greiner's Classical Electrodynamics and Griffiths' Quantum Mechanics quite germane to an undergraduate curriculum. I have no idea about Sakurai though. Eisberg and Resnick leaves out almost nothing in theory but a lot of math. Feynman's Lectures should be recommended for all topics. So perhaps should be the Berkeley Physics course. Peebles is an interesting reference too.

For Classical Mechanics, again an assortment: Goldstein, Greiner and other stuff based on your course depth/interest maybe?
 

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