The physics handbook

European Journal of Physics, Number 20, 1999 - "...Here is a book everyone should have on the shelf, and not just because it is so useful as an information source. The brevity of treatment brings a freshness, even an enthusiasm to each subject, making the reader wonder why some things seemed so tedious during student days..." --This text refers to the Paperback edition. Product Description This compendium of physics covers the key equations and fundamental principles that are taught in graduate programs. It offers a succinct yet systematic treatment of all areas of physics, including mathematical physics, solid state physics, particle physics, statistical mechanics, and optics. In one complete, self-contained volume, author Charles P. Poole provides both review material for students preparing for PhD qualifying examinations and a quick reference for physicists who need to brush up on basic topics or delve into areas outside their expertise. In this second edition the author devotes two chapters to such regularly needed information as trigonometric and vector identities and special functions. The remaining chapters incorporate less frequently summoned concepts, including Lagrangians, parity, dispersion relations, chaos, free energies, statistical mechanical ensembles, and elementary particle classification. A brand new chapter on entanglement and quantum computing has been added, making this an indispensable resource for graduate students and physicists in both industry and academia.