"This is a thought-provoking book. Mirman is a crusader for the advancement of a no-nonsense approach to physics. He does not request your complete agreement, but your willingness to think, which is good. I enjoyed the ride." David J. Santos, Mathematical Reviews In-depth analysis of the necessity for quantum mechanics and for its properties. All are (easily) understandable and unavoidable. Geometry, group theory and consistency require wavefunctions (group basis vectors) and that nature be probabilistic. Absolute values for experiments follow. Probability is defined. Reasons for confusion...

The conformal group is the invariance group of geometry (which is not understood), the largest one. Physical applications are implied, as discussed, including reasons for interactions. The group structure as well as those of related groups are analyzed. An inhomogeneous group is a subgroup of a homogeneous one because of nonlinearities of the realization. Conservation of baryons (protons can't decay) is explained and proven. Reasons for various realizations, so matrix elements, of the Lorentz group given. The clearly relevant mass level formula is compared with experimental values. Questions,...

Geometry through its fundamental transformations, the Poincare group, requires that wavefunctions belong to representations. Massless and massive representations are very different and their coupling almost impossible. Helicity-1 gives electromagnetism, helicity-2 gives gravitation; no higher helicities are possible. Basis states, thus the fundamental fields, are the potential and connection. General relativity is derived and is the unique theory of gravity, thus the only possible quantum theory of gravity. It is explained why it is. Because of transformations trajectories must be geodesics....

Quantum mechanics, its properties including wavefunctions, complex numbers and uncertainty, are necessary and completely reasonable and understandable, with no weirdness. Classical physics is impossible. Much uncertainty comes from Fourier analysis. Waves and particles and collapse of wavefunctions are meaningless. Their seeming appearance in analyzed. Reasons and limitations of superposition are considered. Gravitation is an example of nonlinearity. All objects interact so nonlinearity is universal. How quantum mechanics then fits in is shown. Dirac's equation comes from Poincare group....

A thorough introduction to group theory, this (highly problem-oriented) book goes deeply into the subject to provide a fuller understanding than available anywhere else. The book aims at, not only teaching the material, but also helping to develop the skills needed by a researcher and teacher, possession of which will be highly advantageous in these very competitive times, particularly for those at the early, insecure, stages of their careers. And it is organized and written to serve as a reference to provide a quick introduction giving the essence and vocabulary useful for those who need...

A thorough introduction to group theory, this (highly problem-oriented) book goes deeply into the subject to provide a fuller understanding than available anywhere else. The book aims at, not only teaching the material, but also helping to develop the skills needed by a researcher and teacher, possession of which will be highly advantageous in these very competitive times, particularly for those at the early, insecure, stages of their careers. And it is organized and written to serve as a reference to provide a quick introduction giving the essence and vocabulary useful for those who need...

WHY GOD COULD NOT CREATE THE UNIVERSE WITH A DIFFERENT DIMENSION EVEN IF IT WANTED TO or perhaps anything else. Perhaps the universe must be the way it is. It seems that what is omnipotent is mathematics, elementary arithmetic, just counting. Yet even mathematics is not powerful enough to create a universe there are just too many conditions, conflicting. Existence is impossible. Beyond that for there to be structure is quite inconceivable. But the universe does exist, there are galaxies, stars, even the possibility of life. That life is possible merely allows it to exist but only with the...

This book is by far the most comprehensive treatment of point and space groups, and their meaning and applications. Its completeness makes it especially useful as a text, since it gives the instructor the flexibility to best fit the class and goals. The instructor, not the author, decides what is in the course. And it is the prime book for reference, as material is much more likely to be found in it than in any other book; it also provides detailed guides to other sources.Much of what is taught is folklore, things everyone knows are true, but (almost?) no one knows why, or has seen proofs,...