From Newton to Mandelbrot A Primer in Theoretical Physics [Hardcover]

This textbook takes the reader on a tour of the most important landmarks of theoretical physics: classical, quantum, and statistical mechanics, relativity, electrodynamics, as well as the most modern and exciting of all: elementary particles and the physics of fractals. The second edition has been supplemented with a new chapter devoted to concise though complete presentation of dynamical systems, bifurcations and chaos theory. The treatment is confined to the essentials of each area, presenting all the central concepts and equations at an accessible level. Chapters 1 to 4 contain the standard material of courses in theoretical physics and are supposed to accompany lectures at the university; thus they are rather condensed. They are supposed to fill one year of teaching. Chapters 5 and 6, in contrast, are written less condensed since this material may not be part of standard lectures and thus could be studied without the help of a university teacher. An appendix on elementary particles lies somewhere in between: It could be a summary of a much more detailed course, or studied without such a course. Illustrations and numerous problems round off this unusual textbook. It will ideally accompany the students all along their course in theoretical physics and prove indispensable in preparing and revising the exams. It is also suited as a reference for teachers or scientists from other disciplines who are interested in the topic.

Mechanics.- Electricity and Magnetism.- Quantum Mechanics.- Statistical Physics.- Dynamical Systems and Chaos.- Fractals in Theoretical Physics.CV of D. Stauffer
1980/81 Guest Professor in Marseille, France
1985 Humboldt Prize for French-German Scientific Cooperation
1987 James Chair Professor; Canada
1988-90 first manager of many-body research group at German Supercomputer Center
HLRZ Julich
1993/94 first Canada-Germany Research Awarl>