'This text presents an introduction to relativity, quantum mechanics, and statistical physics as well as applications of these theories to molecular physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, and cosmology. Writing in a student-friendly and accessible manner, the authors strike the perfect balance, mixing relevant applications (many new to this edition) with the appropriate level of theory. A new Web-based simulation software package, QMTools, complements the text and provides modeling tools to help students visualize abstract concepts. Icons are provided throughout the text to highlight areas in which this software can enhance understanding.
- Former Chapter 1, "Relativity," has been extensively revised and divided into two chapters. New Chapter 1, "Relativity I," contains the history of relativity, new derivations of the Lorentz coordinate and velocity transforms, and a new section on spacetime and causality. New Chapter 2, "Relativity II," covers relativistic dynamics and energy and includes new material on general relativity, gravitational radiation, and the applications GPS (Global Positioning System) and LIGO (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory.)
- Ten to fifteen NEW APPLICATIONS have been added to help students understand how abstract concepts apply to the real world, primarily in engineering scenarios. Some of these include CCD's (charge coupled devices), optical fiber communication, mosfets, chips, fabricating nanostructures, the Mossbauer effect, MRIs, and determining the age of the Earth.
- The previous edition's Modern Physics Desktop Software Package has been replaced with new, online (platform-independent) simulation software: QMTools. Icons in the text highlight the examples and problems designed for use with this software, which provides modeling tools to help students visualize abstract concepts and practice problem-solving. All instructions about the general use of the software as well as specific instructions for each problem are contained on the Book Companion Web Site.
- Approximately 30 new end-of-chapter problems have been developed for this edition.
- Chapter 3, "The Quantum Theory of Light," contains new information about black holes. Chapter 5, "Matter Waves," includes new applications on scanning and transmission electron microscopes.
- Chapter 6, "Quantum Mechanics in One Dimension," features a new application on CCD's (Charge Coupled Devices). Chapter 8, "Quantum Mechanics in Three Dimensions," includes a new discussion on the production and spectroscopic study of anti-hydrogen.
- Chapter 10, "Statistical Physics," provides new information on the treatments of Bose-Einstein and Fermi condensations showing experimental results. Chapter 11, "Molecular Structure," now includes material on useful types of scattering and spectra such as Raman, Raleigh, fluorescence, and phosphorescence.
- A completely updated Chapter 15, "Particle Physics," includes material on the experimental confirmation of neutrino oscillations, mass, and experimental attempts to detect wimps. Significantly revised Chapter 16, "Cosmology," features a new and complete treatment of cosmology, including expanded coverage of the Big-Bang theory, inflation, the age of the universe, missing mass, and the recently observed repulsion between most distant galaxies.
- The majority of the guest essays included in the Second Edition and written by specialists in the field to provide an insider's view of physics, are now available online at the Book Companion Web Site.
- While the most important facts about Superconductivity are included in Chapter 12, "The Solid State," the entire Superconductivity chapter from previous editions has now been made available at the Book Companion Web Site. Various appendices and optional derivations also have been moved to the Companion Web Site.
- Worked examples of varying difficulty aid students in understanding important concepts,while exercises following the examples immediately test students comprehension of worked examples and problem-solving techniques.
- End-of-chapter problems, color coded by level of difficulty, challenge student understanding and problem-solving skills.
- Optional SPECIAL TOPIC sections offer the student more in-depth treatment of chapter concepts.
1. Relativity I.
2. Relativity II.
3. The Quantum Theory of Light.
4. The Particle Nature of Matter.
5. Matter Waves.
6. Quantum Mechanics in One Dimension.
7. Tunneling Phenomena.
8. Quantum Mechanics in Three Dimensions.
9. Atomic Structure.
10. Statistical Physics.
11. Molecular Structure.
12. The Solid State.
13. Nuclear Structure.
14. Nuclear Physics Applications.
15. Particle Physics.
16. Cosmology.
'Raymond A. Serway: James Madison University (Emeritus), Clement J. Moses: Emeritus, Utica College of Syracuse University, Curt A. Moyer: University of North Carolina, Wilmington
