Physics from Symmetry

Front Cover
Springer, Jun 4, 2015 - Science - 279 pages

This is a textbook that derives the fundamental theories of physics from symmetry.

It starts by introducing, in a completely self-contained way, all mathematical tools needed to use symmetry ideas in physics. Thereafter, these tools are put into action and by using symmetry constraints, the fundamental equations of Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Field Theory, Electromagnetism, and Classical Mechanics are derived.

As a result, the reader is able to understand the basic assumptions behind, and the connections between the modern theories of physics. The book concludes with first applications of the previously derived equations.

 

Contents

Part I Foundations
2
1 Introduction
3
2 Special Relativity
11
Part II Symmetry Tools
23
3 Lie Group Theory
24
4 The Framework
91
Part III The Equations of Nature
111
5 Measuring Nature
112
10 Classical Mechanics
227
11 Electrodynamics
233
12 Gravity
239
13 Closing Words
245
Part V Appendices
246
A Vector calculus
249
B Calculus
256
C Linear Algebra
267

6 Free Theory
117
7 Interaction Theory
127
Part IV Applications
171
8 Quantum Mechanics
172
9 Quantum Field Theory
205
D Additional Mathematical Notions
271
Bibliography
273
Index
276
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (2015)

Jakob Schwichtenberg, Karlsruhe, Germany

Bibliographic information