Principles of Quantum Mechanics
Encyclopedia
The Principles of Quantum Mechanics is a book that describes quantum mechanics
, written by Paul Dirac
and published in 1930.
In this book Dirac gives an account of quantum mechanics by "demonstrating how to construct a completely new theoretical framework from scratch ... [and] ... problems were tackled top-down, by working on the great principles, with the details left to look after themselves". The book is also described as austere (not an easy read), leaves classical physics behind after the first chapter, and presents the subject with a logical structure. It has 82 sections, and 785 equations with no diagrams.
He is credited with inventing the subject, ".... particularly in Cambridge and Gottingen between 1925-1927."
In 1947 the third edition of the book was published, in which the chapter on quantum electrodynamics was rewritten particularly with the inclusion of electron-positron creation.
In the fourth edition, 1958, the same chapter was revised, adding new sections on interpretation and applications.
This book summarizes the ideas of quantum mechanics using the modern formalism that was largely developed by Dirac himself. The book was among the foremost works on quantum mechanics and is still widely read and used today.
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
, written by Paul Dirac
Paul Dirac
Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac, OM, FRS was an English theoretical physicist who made fundamental contributions to the early development of both quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics...
and published in 1930.
In this book Dirac gives an account of quantum mechanics by "demonstrating how to construct a completely new theoretical framework from scratch ... [and] ... problems were tackled top-down, by working on the great principles, with the details left to look after themselves". The book is also described as austere (not an easy read), leaves classical physics behind after the first chapter, and presents the subject with a logical structure. It has 82 sections, and 785 equations with no diagrams.
He is credited with inventing the subject, ".... particularly in Cambridge and Gottingen between 1925-1927."
History
The first and second editions of the book were published in 1930 and 1935.In 1947 the third edition of the book was published, in which the chapter on quantum electrodynamics was rewritten particularly with the inclusion of electron-positron creation.
In the fourth edition, 1958, the same chapter was revised, adding new sections on interpretation and applications.
This book summarizes the ideas of quantum mechanics using the modern formalism that was largely developed by Dirac himself. The book was among the foremost works on quantum mechanics and is still widely read and used today.
Contents
- The principle of superposition
- Dynamical variables and Observables
- Representations
- The quantum conditions
- The equations of motion
- Elementary applications
- Perturbation theory
- Collision Problems
- Systems Containing several similar Particles
- Theory of radiation
- Relativistic theory of the electron
- Quantum Electrodynamics