Linear Algebra and Group Theory for Physicists and Engineers


Book Description

This textbook demonstrates the strong interconnections between linear algebra and group theory by presenting them simultaneously, a pedagogical strategy ideal for an interdisciplinary audience. Being approached together at the same time, these two topics complete one another, allowing students to attain a deeper understanding of both subjects. The opening chapters introduce linear algebra with applications to mechanics and statistics, followed by group theory with applications to projective geometry. Then, high-order finite elements are presented to design a regular mesh and assemble the stiffness and mass matrices in advanced applications in quantum chemistry and general relativity. This text is ideal for undergraduates majoring in engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, or applied mathematics. It is mostly self-contained—readers should only be familiar with elementary calculus. There are numerous exercises, with hints or full solutions provided. A series of roadmaps are also provided to help instructors choose the optimal teaching approach for their discipline. The second edition has been revised and updated throughout and includes new material on the Jordan form, the Hermitian matrix and its eigenbasis, and applications in numerical relativity and electromagnetics.




Group Theory in a Nutshell for Physicists


Book Description

A concise, modern textbook on group theory written especially for physicists Although group theory is a mathematical subject, it is indispensable to many areas of modern theoretical physics, from atomic physics to condensed matter physics, particle physics to string theory. In particular, it is essential for an understanding of the fundamental forces. Yet until now, what has been missing is a modern, accessible, and self-contained textbook on the subject written especially for physicists. Group Theory in a Nutshell for Physicists fills this gap, providing a user-friendly and classroom-tested text that focuses on those aspects of group theory physicists most need to know. From the basic intuitive notion of a group, A. Zee takes readers all the way up to how theories based on gauge groups could unify three of the four fundamental forces. He also includes a concise review of the linear algebra needed for group theory, making the book ideal for self-study. Provides physicists with a modern and accessible introduction to group theory Covers applications to various areas of physics, including field theory, particle physics, relativity, and much more Topics include finite group and character tables; real, pseudoreal, and complex representations; Weyl, Dirac, and Majorana equations; the expanding universe and group theory; grand unification; and much more The essential textbook for students and an invaluable resource for researchers Features a brief, self-contained treatment of linear algebra An online illustration package is available to professors Solutions manual (available only to professors)




Lie Groups, Physics, and Geometry


Book Description

Describing many of the most important aspects of Lie group theory, this book presents the subject in a 'hands on' way. Rather than concentrating on theorems and proofs, the book shows the applications of the material to physical sciences and applied mathematics. Many examples of Lie groups and Lie algebras are given throughout the text. The relation between Lie group theory and algorithms for solving ordinary differential equations is presented and shown to be analogous to the relation between Galois groups and algorithms for solving polynomial equations. Other chapters are devoted to differential geometry, relativity, electrodynamics, and the hydrogen atom. Problems are given at the end of each chapter so readers can monitor their understanding of the materials. This is a fascinating introduction to Lie groups for graduate and undergraduate students in physics, mathematics and electrical engineering, as well as researchers in these fields.




Not Even Wrong


Book Description

At what point does theory depart the realm of testable hypothesis and come to resemble something like aesthetic speculation, or even theology? The legendary physicist Wolfgang Pauli had a phrase for such ideas: He would describe them as "not even wrong," meaning that they were so incomplete that they could not even be used to make predictions to compare with observations to see whether they were wrong or not. In Peter Woit's view, superstring theory is just such an idea. In Not Even Wrong , he shows that what many physicists call superstring "theory" is not a theory at all. It makes no predictions, even wrong ones, and this very lack of falsifiability is what has allowed the subject to survive and flourish. Not Even Wrong explains why the mathematical conditions for progress in physics are entirely absent from superstring theory today and shows that judgments about scientific statements, which should be based on the logical consistency of argument and experimental evidence, are instead based on the eminence of those claiming to know the truth. In the face of many books from enthusiasts for string theory, this book presents the other side of the story.




Set Theory And Its Applications In Physics And Computing


Book Description

Why learn set theory? This book provides the answer — it is interesting, and also useful! Taking a new approach and looking from a fresh perspective, the discussion flows in a friendly and transparent way, supplemented with a lot of examples and figures. This makes the theory easily comprehensible: the proofs get vivid and visual, enveloped with interesting applications for students in (applied) math, physics, and engineering. Given the theory and the applications, the book could serve as a textbook in four (undergraduate) math courses: Introduction to set theory and its application; Chaos theory and stability — a geometrical point of view; Functional analysis — Han-Banach theory; and Cryptography with quantum computing. It teaches set theory from the basics, including the axiom of choice, the well ordering theorem, and Zorn's lemma. Furthermore, it uses Cantor's set to introduce chaos theory from a geometrical point of view. Moreover, it introduces the binomial formula (and other related formulas), and uses them in quantum statistical mechanics. And finally, it uses Zorn's lemma in functional analysis, general relativity, and quantum mechanics. There are also practical applications in cryptography, error correction, quantum computing and programming.




Mathematical Methods for Scientists and Engineers


Book Description

"Intended for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in chemistry, physics, math and engineering, this book will also become a must-have for the personal library of all advanced students in the physical sciences. Comprised of more than 2000 problems and 700 worked examples that detail every single step, this text is exceptionally well adapted for self study as well as for course use."--From publisher description.




Mathematical Methods


Book Description

Intended to follow the usual introductory physics courses, this book contains many original, lucid and relevant examples from the physical sciences, problems at the ends of chapters, and boxes to emphasize important concepts to help guide students through the material.




Introduction to Applied Linear Algebra


Book Description

A groundbreaking introduction to vectors, matrices, and least squares for engineering applications, offering a wealth of practical examples.




Linear Algebra and Group Theory for Physicists


Book Description

Professor Srinivasa Rao's text on Linear Algebra and Group Theory is directed to undergraduate and graduate students who wish to acquire a solid theoretical foundation in these mathematical topics which find extensive use in physics. Based on courses delivered during Professor Srinivasa Rao's long career at the University of Mysore, this text is remarkable for its clear exposition of the subject. Advanced students will find a range of topics such as the Representation theory of Linear Associative Algebras, a complete analysis of Dirac and Kemmer algebras, Representations of the Symmetric group via Young Tableaux, a systematic derivation of the Crystallographic point groups, a comprehensive and unified discussion of the Rotation and Lorentz groups and their representations, and an introduction to Dynkin diagrams in the classification of Lie groups. In addition, the first few chapters on Elementary Group Theory and Vector Spaces also provide useful instructional material even at an introductory level. An authority on diverse aspects of mathematical physics, Professor K N Srinivasa Rao taught at the University of Mysore until 1982 and was subsequently at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He has authored a number of texts, among them being ""The Rotation and Lorentz Groups and their Representations for Physicists"" (Wiley, 1988) and ""Classical Mechanics"" (Universities Press, 2003). The first edition of ""Linear Algebra and Group Theory for Physicists"" was co-published in 1996 by New Age International, and Wiley, New York.