Biophysics of Course Quantum Physics with a Difference
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_N_Aru__ ~__ vo_L_.~ __ J_o_MAR __ c_H_I_~_J ______________________ TEXTBQQKS;-----------------------------------------~-'1 mental techniques are commonly des whole of molecular spectroscopy is allotted chemistry in biology are described, and this cribed, and examples of sophisticated Jess than 30 pages. This is surely not will be welcomed by many readers. instrumentation are often used in intro enough, and may make the book unsuit The presentation of the book is generally ductory accounts of topics such as reaction able for some courses. In contrast, the clear. There is a wealth of diagrams and a kinetics. In addition, an introductory study coverage of thermodynamics and solution novel feature is the inclusion of fairly full of symmetry and group theory has been properties is quite detailed, and many references to collections of experimental favoured by some, although not all, examples are discussed. data. Introduction to Physical Chemistry authors. Each chapter begins with a study guide merits serious consideration by those Arthur M. Lesk's Introduction to identifying topics of particular impor seeking a relatively concise modern text, Physical Chemistry does not differ radi tance, and many calculations are given, and for whom the deficiencies noted above cally in content from its predecessors, but is both as illustrative examples and as are unimportant. D rather shorter than most of them. This exercises. A study of the Fourier trans brevity has, of course, been achieved at a forms of the national flags of the United Maurice Rigby is a Lecturer in the Department price - the account of atomic structure States, Britain and France is particularly of Chemistry at Queen Elizabeth College, and spectra is very short indeed, while the intriguing. Several applications of physical University of London. example, a mathematical point in the text is reason others may find it difficult to use the Biophysics of course not clear. The bibliography, while useful, book for their own courses, but it is could have been updated, but this is a valuable supplementary reading and some M.E.J. Holwill minor criticism of an otherwise excellent lecturers may consider it worthwhile to modify their courses to suit the text. D Physics for the Biological Sciences: volume. As is common with books written for a A Topical Approach to Biophysical particular audience, Physics for the Concepts. M.E.J. Ho/wi/1 is Reader in Biophysics in the Biological Sciences derives from a course By F.R. Hallett, P.A. Speight and Department of Physics, Queen Elizabeth taught in the authors' department. For this College, University of London. R.H. Stinson. Chapman & Hall: 1982. Pp.254. £9.95, $22.95. sentation. All standard applications except Quantum physics with the partial wave treatment of scattering are ALTHOUGH many notable contributions to included, as are a good collection of biology and medicine have been made a difference problems for the reader in each chapter. I through a physical approach, many of think the treatment of time-independent today's biological science students study R.B. Jones perturbation theory relies unduly on the no physics during their undergraduate A First Course in Quantum Mechanics, use of determinants which are not well years. One reason often given by students revised edn. known to present-day undergraduates; who choose not to enrol on a physics course By H. Clark. moreover, many advanced topics (group is that they do not see the relevance of much Van Nostrand Reinhold: 1982. Pp.367. theory, Dirac equation, second of physics to the study of biological £5.25, $12.95. quantization, solid state theory) are systems; some physics texts written Basic Quantum Mechanics, 2nd Edn. introduced in too brief and superficial a specifically for biological and medical By J. M. Cassels. manner to be of great help to a student. students do little to alter this view, possibly Macmillan, London: 1982. Pp.200. This text is useful, but not outstanding, because a rather traditional approach to Hbk £25, $38.50; and is better suited to applied mathematics the subject is usually adopted, with pbk £12, $18.50. students than to physics undergraduates. applications to biology assuming Quantum Mechanics. In its second edition, Basic Quantum apparently secondary importance. By Alastair I. M. Rae. Mechanics includes a new discussion of the Physics for the Biological Sciences, a McGraw-Hill: 1982. Pp.246. qualitative behaviour of wave-functions in revamped version of Introductory £6.95, $13.95. one-dimension and a more thorough Biophysics (1977), is not of this genre. An Introduction to Theory and account of scattering by means of the Rather, the authors aim to stimulate a Applications of Quantum Mechanics. partial wave S-matrix. I liked the terse student's interest by posing a question of By Ammon Yariv. prose and the succinct use of operator biological significance before discussing Wiley: 1982. Pp.300. methods to treat the harmonic oscillator the physical principle which helps to Hbk £23.90, $35.85; pbk £9.10, $14.75. and angular momentum. There are many provide the answer. In my opinion, they nice examples from scattering theory, have succeeded admirably and have although the partial wave treatment is produced a book with an informal, easily THE EMERGENCE of snowdrops, early almost entirely s-wave. The treatment of readable style. crocus and new (or re-furbished) quantum time-dependent perturbation theory is The authors concentrate on the mechanics textbooks indicates that Spring unduly obscure because only the decay of a application of physics to biological will soon be upon us and that the prudent state is discussed in detail - a student problems, rather than to instrumentation reviewer, like the conscientious gardener, would not be able to see readily how atomic (there is no mention, for instance, of that should take out his pruning shears to populations in a laser may oscillate rather ubiquitous biological instrument, the inspect and correct the new growth. All of than simply decay. The mention of some electron microscope), and succeed in the four texts reviewed here are intended standard atomic structure problems (e.g. covering those areas which are currently of for a first course in the subject, but the the helium atom) is also too curt to convey greatest interest. Many worked examples refreshing differences amongst them much to a student. This is nonetheless a appear in the text and students can test their emphasize the vast range of quantum good book for a first course for physics understanding of a point by attempting the physics. students - but the lecturer would have to many problems to be found at the end of A new chapter on electrons in solids supplement the text on several topics. each chapter (answers are given). Useful appears in the revised edition of A First Quantum Mechanics is a new text appendices on mathematical skills, units, Course in Quantum Mechanics in addition suitable in scope for a first course on one dimensions and waves are provided and to some old misprints and an incorrect particle quantum mechanics. I found the could serve as an aide memoire when, for statement of the momentum repre- introductory chapters dull but the later © 1983 Nature Publishing Group.