What is the Best Book for Conceptual Thinkers to Understand Quantum Mechanics?

[rahaverhma]

Hi everyone ,
I am interested in learning quantum mechanics. I want to read a book which explains each and every aspect of quantum physics , gives a conceptual understanding with the help of logical thinking. Also it should be like that if I know the most basic theory and concept in Quantum Physics like De-Broglie hypothesis and I imagine about it and make predictions and analyse it , then the book in front of me should talk to me in the same way so that I know about the matter more deeply and boldly.

 

[PeroK]

Hi everyone ,
I am interested in learning quantum mechanics. I want to read a book which explains each and every aspect of quantum physics , gives a conceptual understanding with the help of logical thinking. Also it should be like that if I know the most basic theory and concept in Quantum Physics like De-Broglie hypothesis and I imagine about it and make predictions and analyse it , then the book in front of me should talk to me in the same way so that I know about the matter more deeply and boldly.

What level is your knowledge of mathematics?

 

[rahaverhma]

What level is your knowledge of mathematics?

I have completed Bachelors in Physics from Delhi University. So, i know the mathematics concerning physics from Bachelor's course and also pure mathematics till class 12th.

 

[PeroK]

I have completed Bachelors in Physics from Delhi University. So, i know the mathematics concerning physics from Bachelor's course and also pure mathematics till class 12th.

You did a degree in Physics without any QM?

 

[Vanadium 50]

You did a degree in Physics without any QM?

I wowed that. I'm stilling mentally re-wowing that.

Also, the OP answered this very question three years ago. https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/best-qm-books.907974/post-5718860

I don't think we have the complete picture here.

 

[rahaverhma]

Dear Sir , actually I studied all courses from Classical Physics to Modern Physics. But , as you know as time passes , we try to get more refined and deep thinking over the matter , for example , force is equal to the rate of change of momentum w.r.t time. Then how Newton came to this , has not been answered by anyone till now whom i have met with. So, I think now that I should myself go like Newton and formulate it. Now , coming to quantum mechanics , in my bachelor's course in our college only one faculty taught well and the subject was mathematical physics. The one of quantum mechanics taught like he just wanted to give you the information not knowledge and he was trying to get rid of her students including me because we could ask questions to her about QM. So , I hope that you have understood my position that I know every fact in quantum mechanics but don't know the philosophy behind it. Help me if you like.

Thanks.

 

[PeroK]

Dear Sir , actually I studied all courses from Classical Physics to Modern Physics. But , as you know as time passes , we try to get more refined and deep thinking over the matter , for example , force is equal to the rate of change of momentum w.r.t time. Then how Newton came to this , has not been answered by anyone till now whom i have met with. So, I think now that I should myself go like Newton and formulate it. Now , coming to quantum mechanics , in my bachelor's course in our college only one faculty taught well and the subject was mathematical physics. The one of quantum mechanics taught like he just wanted to give you the information not knowledge and he was trying to get rid of her students including me because we could ask questions to her about QM. So , I hope that you have understood my position that I know every fact in quantum mechanics but don't know the philosophy behind it. Help me if you like.

Thanks.

If you want an understanding of QM you could start here:

https://physics.mq.edu.au/~jcresser/Phys304/Handouts/QuantumPhysicsNotes.pdf

Or, there is Susskind's theoretical minimum:



There's a book as well as these video lectures.

There are several threads on here discussing the recommendations for university textbooks. I have Introduction to QM by Griffiths and Modern QM by Sakurai.

 

[haushofer]

So , I hope that you have understood my position that I know every fact in quantum mechanics but don't know the philosophy behind it. Help me if you like.

Thanks.

In that case this book might suit you:

https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319658667

It presupposes a basic knowledge of QM, but emphasizes conceptual, philosophical and historical aspects .

 

[Demystifier]

I want to read a book which explains each and every aspect of quantum physics

There is no such book.

 

[Vanadium 50]

There is no such book.

True, but he is being clearer about what he wants. He doesn't want a QM book. He wants a QM philosophy book.

 

[George Jones]

At about the level of Griffiths, there is "QUANTUM MECHANICS A Paradigms Approach" by David McIntyre. This book has more emphasis on Dirac notation than does Griffiths, which I like.

 

[madscientist_93]

I have heard that David Bohm treats QM philosophically in his 'Quantum Theory'.

True, but he is being clearer about what he wants. He doesn't want a QM book. He wants a QM philosophy book.

 

[vanhees71]

I don't know which book you mean, but there's a very good book by Bohm without philosophy and also presenting the subject using an orthodox interpretation. Historically, afaik, Bohm got to his alternative interpretation after writing the book, maybe even triggered by thinking about the foundations during writing this book.

 

[madscientist_93]

I don't know which book you mean, but there's a very good book by Bohm without philosophy and also presenting the subject using an orthodox interpretation. Historically, afaik, Bohm got to his alternative interpretation after writing the book, maybe even triggered by thinking about the foundations during writing this book.

I believe we are talking about the same book.
Quantum Theory ( Dover Books on Physics) by David Bohm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0486659690/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[Dr Transport]

I know every fact in quantum mechanics

Really?

 

[atyy]

I believe we are talking about the same book.
Quantum Theory ( Dover Books on Physics) by David Bohm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0486659690/?tag=pfamazon01-20

The philosophy in that book is wrong. Bohm, in that book, argued against the possibility of hidden variables.

 

[martinbn]

The philosophy in that book is wrong. Bohm, in that book, argued against the possibility of hidden variables.

How could philosophy be wrong or right?!

 

[vanhees71]

The philosophy in that book is wrong. Bohm, in that book, argued against the possibility of hidden variables.

Yes, but that's not wrong to date since nobody has discovered any "missing" or "hidden" variables whatsoever.

 

[atyy]

Yes, but that's not wrong to date since nobody has discovered any "missing" or "hidden" variables whatsoever.

It's wrong since Bohm was discussing the possibility, and Bohm later discovered that they can be constructed for some quantum mechanical theories.

 

[rahaverhma]

If you want an understanding of QM you could start here:

https://physics.mq.edu.au/~jcresser/Phys304/Handouts/QuantumPhysicsNotes.pdf

Or, there is Susskind's theoretical minimum:



There's a book as well as these video lectures.

There are several threads on here discussing the recommendations for university textbooks. I have Introduction to QM by Griffiths and Modern QM by Sakurai.

Thank You , Sir.

In that case this book might suit you:

https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319658667

It presupposes a basic knowledge of QM, but emphasizes conceptual, philosophical and historical aspects .

Thank you , Sir.

 

[vanhees71]

It's wrong since Bohm was discussing the possibility, and Bohm later discovered that they can be constructed for some quantum mechanical theories.

Which are the hidden variables in Bohm's reinterpretation of non-relativistic QT? There are no other observables than the usual ones in this interpretation than are in standard QT.

 

[Demystifier]

How could philosophy be wrong or right?!

Analytic philosophy, which often uses rigorous logic, can be right or wrong in the same way as mathematics can, by arriving at conclusions which in fact do or do not follow from the assumptions.

 

[martinbn]

Analytic philosophy, which often uses rigorous logic, can be right or wrong in the same way as mathematics can, by arriving at conclusions which in fact do or do not follow from the assumptions.

Is that what @atyy meant? I don't think so, otherwise he would have pointed out the logical error.

 

[Demystifier]

Is that what @atyy meant? I don't think so, otherwise he would have pointed out the logical error.

Well, in the book, Bohm used informal arguments rather than formal logic. But those arguments could be translated into formal logical arguments and then the place of logical error could be pinpointed.

 

[bob012345]

Hi everyone ,
I am interested in learning quantum mechanics. I want to read a book which explains each and every aspect of quantum physics , gives a conceptual understanding with the help of logical thinking. Also it should be like that if I know the most basic theory and concept in Quantum Physics like De-Broglie hypothesis and I imagine about it and make predictions and analyse it , then the book in front of me should talk to me in the same way so that I know about the matter more deeply and boldly.

I think I can safely say that nobody really understands quantum mechanics. $_{Richard}$ $_{Feynman}$

In light of Feynman's famous quote I suggest reading several of the classic Quantum texts. It's the differences in the way material is presented than might make you think more deeply in my view.

 

[robphy]

I think I can safely say that nobody really understands quantum mechanics. $_{Richard}$ $_{Feynman}$

In light of Feynman's famous quote I suggest reading several of the classic Quantum texts. It's the differences in the way material is presented than might make you think more deeply in my view.

setup for Feynman's quote ( &t=7m40s ):


from the beginning of this lecture (&t=1m20s ):


See also
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/res...chard-feynman/#!6-probability-and-uncertainty

The videos above come from the Messenger Lectures from Cornell, 1964
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Character_of_Physical_Lawfor the textbook treatment:
"Read" Volume III
https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/info/