The Cambridge Handbook of Physics Formulas

Graham Woan9780521575072, 0521575079, 9780521573498, 0521573491

This compact, portable reference contains more than 2,000 of the most useful formulas and equations found in undergraduate physics courses, covering mathematics, dynamics and mechanics, quantum physics, thermodynamics, solid state physics, electromagnetism, optics and astrophysics. An extensive index allows the required formulas to be located swiftly and simply, and an unique tabular format crisply identifies all the variables involved. All students and professionals in physics, applied mathematics, engineering and other physical sciences will want to have this essential reference book within easy reach.

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Table of contents :
Cover……Page 1
Half-title……Page 3
Title……Page 5
Copyright……Page 6
Contents……Page 7
Preface……Page 9
How to use this book……Page 11
1.1 Introduction……Page 13
1.2 SI units……Page 14
1.3 Physical constants……Page 16
1.4 Converting between units……Page 20
1.5 Dimensions……Page 26
1.6 Miscellaneous……Page 28
2.1 Notation……Page 29
2.2 Vectors and matrices……Page 30
2.3 Series, summations, and progressions……Page 37
2.4 Complex variables……Page 40
2.5 Trigonometric and hyperbolic formulas……Page 42
2.6 Mensuration……Page 45
2.7 Differentiation……Page 50
2.8 Integration……Page 54
2.9 Special functions and polynomials……Page 56
2.10 Roots of quadratic and cubic equations……Page 60
2.11 Fourier series and transforms……Page 62
2.12 Laplace transforms……Page 65
2.13 Probability and statistics……Page 67
2.14 Numerical methods……Page 70
3.1 Introduction……Page 73
3.2 Frames of reference……Page 74
3.3 Gravitation……Page 76
3.4 Particle motion……Page 78
3.5 Rigid body dynamics……Page 84
3.6 Oscillating systems……Page 88
3.7 Generalised dynamics……Page 89
3.8 Elasticity……Page 90
3.9 Fluid dynamics……Page 94
4.1 Introduction……Page 99
4.2 Quantum definitions……Page 100
4.3 Wave mechanics……Page 102
4.4 Hydrogenic atoms……Page 105
4.5 Angular momentum……Page 108
4.6 Perturbation theory……Page 112
4.7 High energy and nuclear physics……Page 113
5.1 Introduction……Page 115
5.2 Classical thermodynamics……Page 116
5.3 Gas laws……Page 120
5.4 Kinetic theory……Page 122
5.5 Statistical thermodynamics……Page 124
5.6 Fluctuations and noise……Page 126
5.7 Radiation processes……Page 128
6.1 Introduction……Page 133
6.2 Periodic table……Page 134
6.3 Crystalline structure……Page 136
6.4 Lattice dynamics……Page 139
6.5 Electrons in solids……Page 142
7.1 Introduction……Page 145
7.2 Static fields……Page 146
7.3 Electromagnetic fields (general)……Page 149
7.4 Fields associated with media……Page 152
7.5 Force, torque, and energy……Page 155
7.6 LCR circuits……Page 157
7.7 Transmission lines and waveguides……Page 160
7.8 Waves in and out of media……Page 162
7.9 Plasma physics……Page 166
8.1 Introduction……Page 171
8.2 Interference……Page 172
8.3 Fraunhofer diffraction……Page 174
8.4 Fresnel diffraction……Page 176
8.5 Geometrical optics……Page 178
8.6 Polarisation……Page 180
8.7 Coherence (scalar theory)……Page 182
8.8 Line radiation……Page 183
9.1 Introduction……Page 185
9.2 Solar system data……Page 186
9.3 Coordinate transformations (astronomical)……Page 187
9.4 Observational astrophysics……Page 189
9.5 Stellar evolution……Page 191
9.6 Cosmology……Page 194
Index……Page 197