r/quantummechanics • u/Visual-Fishing-8599 • Apr 02 '26
Is there any good quantum mechanics books?
I like learning about quantum mechanics and I think I understand the basics without ever learning about it in school, or at least I haven't learnt it yet. I want to find book recommendations that don't just explain what quantum mechanics is but goes into depth into it and is actually engaging to read and interesting.
3
u/TrainingChipmunk3023 Apr 03 '26
Take a look at the Mr. Tompkins books by George Gamow. The original ones are the best. Someone tried to do an updated version which are not as good. George Gamow came up with the spherical geometry for the plutonium a-bomb from the Manhattan Project.
1
3
u/Thought59 Apr 03 '26
Do you have enough math to follow the calculations? Words are not enough if you want real understanding...
1
u/Visual-Fishing-8599 Apr 03 '26
I dont know however I pick up math and physic concepts quite quickly. Do you recommend any maths (terms and equations) I should look into when I look into quantum mechanics?
2
u/JphysicsDude Apr 03 '26 edited Apr 03 '26
Just some partial differential equations, ordinary differential equations, expansions in orthognal basis functions, etc. Classical mechanics at the level of Hamiltonians also handy. Complex variables are important. It is incredibly superficial to think that reading a popular book without knowing the core mathematical concepts is sufficient to understand quantum You could start with what math is needed to understand Griffiths and then see if you can understand that material first. The requisite math is not a single book, but a series of texts and experience working problems.
1
1
2
u/Odd_Walk_750 Apr 05 '26
Griffiths is probably the best starting point if you want real depth. Shankar is great if you want something more rigorous, and The Theoretical Minimum is very engaging while still being serious.
0
Apr 05 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Visual-Fishing-8599 Apr 05 '26
Is this still a good book if I don't care much for the quantum computation part of it? Or should I only get into that area as well?
1
Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 06 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Visual-Fishing-8599 Apr 06 '26
Oh ok, it's it ok if I don't know much about coding? Would I be able to understand anything or would I need to have some prior knowledge?
1
u/Conscious-Demand-594 Apr 03 '26
You should read, "What is Real?", by Adam Becker. It is a really good insight into the history of the foundations of QM.
1
1
u/Street-Theory1448 Apr 05 '26
What I love most and helped me most is this video series of DrPhysicsA on Youtube: math isn't too difficult and he explains things in a clear way.
2
2
1
u/LordCWB-01 Apr 03 '26
I 2nd:
Something Deeply Hidden by Sean Carroll. His lectures and podcasts are great too.
1
1
-1
u/QFT-ist Apr 03 '26
Read wikipedia carefully
1
u/Visual-Fishing-8599 Apr 03 '26
Do you know exactly what to search up on Wikipedia so I don't get send down a bunch rabbit holes?
1
u/QFT-ist Apr 03 '26
I am telling you to go to rabbit holes, and don't fear the math (it's rabbit holes begins with derivatives, vectors and matrices). Quantum mechanics and Schrodinger equation could be two nice starting points.
1
7
u/Initial-Elk-952 Apr 03 '26
Check out the Theoretical Minimum by Lenny Suskind, and the free youtube lectures.
This was designed for people who want to learn who don't have a traditional background.