Where to Find the Best Quantum Mechanics Resources?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on seeking effective resources for understanding quantum mechanics and spectroscopy, particularly for someone struggling with retention and comprehension of concepts. The original poster is currently studying "Modern Spectroscopy" by J. Michael Hollas and previously used "Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach" by Donald A. McQuarrie. They express difficulty with the Hollas book due to its lack of conceptual explanations and are looking for alternatives that provide a more intuitive understanding of the material. Recommendations include "Fundamentals of Spectroscopy" by Banwell and "Molecular Quantum Mechanics" by Atkins and Friedman, with emphasis on the need for resources that balance mathematical rigor with conceptual clarity and practical examples to aid visualization of complex ideas. The discussion highlights the challenge of finding materials that do not assume prior knowledge and the importance of relatable examples in mastering quantum mechanics and spectroscopy.
Eureka99
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Hi everyone,
I wanted to know if any of you knows very good sources for quantum mechanics and spectroscopy fundamentals, like greats books, youtube videos (lectures), or any other option. I' m studying spectroscopy at the moment, and last year I've done the Physical Chemistry II course ( quantum part), but I'm really heavily struggling with understanding and remembering things... I've absorbed a few concepts, but it seems like after a few months I forget lots of notions, and when I go back revising them, it's like doing them kinda all over again, and that makes the study of spectroscopy even harder. I'd like to hear if any of you succeeded understanding deeply this field, and how did you do it. Any advice is really appreciated :smile:

P.s. I've seen tons of material and books for both courses, but I didn't find anyone of them explaining things in an efficient way to me, they're always taking some things for granted.
 
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P.s. I've seen tons of material and books for both courses, but I didn't find anyone of them explaining things in an efficient way to me, they're always taking some things for granted.

What books on QM have you tried and what sort of things do they take for granted?
 
houlahound said:

I'll check it out, thanks!

PeroK said:
What books on QM have you tried and what sort of things do they take for granted?

I'm actually studying on "MODERN. SPECTROSCOPY. J. Michael Hollas" , and I used for the first course "Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach. Donald A. McQuarrie", and I checked out some info online. The first book, I found it very difficult because it doesn't explain why things are in certain way, besides the second one fills this gap, and explains things from a conceptual perspective, not only with tons of mathematic equations and laws, but it doesn't cover really well spectroscopy (there are only 2 chapters about it and not very detailed). I was thinking about a third one, "Fundamentals of spectroscopy (Banwell) " , I think I'm going to try it, but I'm afraid that it will be like the "Hollas" one. I essentially need a book that explains, beside laws and equations, the things from a conceptual point of view (for example, ways with which I can imagine concepts or visualize them, practical examples of things similar to some particles behavior, or regarding the angular momentum, how can i visualize it if it's possible, and how we get to the formulas of coupling momenta, and lots of other things). I know that it is difficult with quantum mechanics because some things don't have anything that can be related to in real life, but I've often found luckily some good examples that got stuck in mind, and I still use to visualize and remember concepts.
 
Atkins other book which must have sold millions "physical chemistry" also has a few chapters on this topic.
 
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