Quantum Mechanics, 2nd Edition

By Eugen Merzbacher

Book Overview

Provides a systematic and orderly development of the whole of quantum mechanics in terms of its applications to atomic, nuclear, particle, and solid state physics.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471596701
• ISBN13: 9780471596707
• Release Date: January 1970
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 640 Pages
• Weight: 2.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.5" x 6.2"

Customer Reviews

Complete and Thorough

I took the University of Michigan's Physics 511 course from this book. At first I found it too wordy and indirect but over the course of the term it really grew on me. Merzbacher's discussion of 2nd quantization (and the QSHO problem in general) is superb as is his sections on the Feynman path integral representation. Definitely my first choice amongst similar texts such as Sakurai, Shankar, and Cohen-Tannoudji.

Clearly written, traditional approach to QM

Having had this text recommended for my graduate quantum class, but not taught from (instead taught out of the execrable book by J.J. Sakurai), I think that Merzbacher has written a very readable and very thorough book. Clearly, it is not a book aimed at undergraduates, but it is very elegantly written and uses the approach mirrored in Gasiorowicz and others, building the subject up with ordinary calculus and slowly bringing in matrix algebra. For a more modern treatment, and one very well written for the motivated self-studier, try Shankar's "Principles of Quantum Mechanics".

Very good

I agree with Mr. Jacob; this is a classic for good reasons. A student with an introductory QM course under his/her belt will enjoy the more advanced subjects (2nd quantisation, dirac equation,...). I also agree with Mr. Jacob about the price: this is much too high for the average student, presumably the targeted audience; something like 40 dollars would be more reasonable. Moreover, a book should be judged on its own merits; it is not Merzbacher's fault that some students want a easier book. Giving a 1 star comment because a book is too difficult is inappropriate.