The Most Infamous Graduate Physics Book

Andrew Dotson
30 Jun 201912:13
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, the host discusses their current struggle with a complex integral problem involving Feynman diagrams and loop integrals. They express excitement over receiving a copy of the renowned textbook 'Classical Electrodynamics' by Jackson, which is infamous among graduate students for its difficulty. The host compares the structure and content of Jackson's book with Griffiths' undergraduate electrodynamics textbook, highlighting the advanced topics and mathematical rigor that Jackson's book covers in greater depth, such as Green's functions, boundary value problems, and special relativity. They also mention their anticipation for the challenges that lie ahead in studying from Jackson's book, particularly in areas like wave propagation, magnetohydrodynamics, and radiation. The video ends with the host's intention to use the book to better prepare for a qualifying exam in electrodynamics.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The speaker is currently working on a challenging integral related to a Feynman diagram and loop integrals.
  • 📦 A package containing a graduate-level physics textbook, 'Classical Electrodynamics' by Jackson, was recently received.
  • 👻 The Jackson textbook is infamous among grad students, often associated with difficulty and frustration.
  • 📖 The book is in good condition, thanks to Seattle Goodwill Industries.
  • 🔍 A comparison between Jackson's and Griffiths' textbooks on electrodynamics is suggested to highlight the differences in content and approach.
  • 📈 Griffiths' textbook is known for its comprehensive math review at the beginning, which is highly regarded.
  • 📊 Jackson's textbook is expected to cover similar topics to Griffiths but with more depth and potentially more challenging material.
  • 🌐 Topics such as Green's functions, boundary value problems, and spherical harmonics are mentioned as part of Jackson's content.
  • 🚀 The book touches on advanced topics like magnetohydrodynamics, plasma physics, and special relativity.
  • 🤔 The speaker expresses excitement and apprehension about diving into the Jackson textbook, especially considering its reputation and their upcoming qualifying exam.
  • 📝 The speaker plans to use the Jackson textbook to better prepare for their qualifying exam, where electrodynamics was a weak point.
Q & A

  • What is the integral the speaker is struggling with?

    -The speaker is struggling with a particular integral related to a Feynman diagram, involving 72 integrals that they have not been able to solve.

  • What is the significance of using Feynman parameters in the context mentioned?

    -Feynman parameters are used to simplify loop integrals in quantum field theory calculations, which is relevant to the integral the speaker is working on.

  • What did the speaker find in the package that excited them?

    -The speaker found a copy of 'Classical Electrodynamics' by Jackson, a renowned and infamous textbook for graduate-level physics, which excited them.

  • How does the speaker describe the condition of the used Jackson book?

    -The speaker describes the book as being in really good condition, thanks to Seattle Goodwill Industries.

  • What is the common sentiment among grad students towards the Jackson book?

    -The common sentiment is that while the book is not inherently favored and often complained about, it is considered a rite of passage for graduate students in physics.

  • How does the structure of Jackson's book compare to Griffiths' 'Electrodynamics'?

    -Jackson's book covers similar topics but in more depth and with more advanced techniques. It is also noted for having less math review upfront compared to Griffiths' book.

  • What are some of the advanced topics covered in Jackson's book that might not be in Griffiths'?

    -Jackson's book includes topics like Green's functions, spherical harmonics, method of images with complex geometries, wave guides, resonance cavities, magnetohydrodynamics, plasma physics, and detailed sections on special relativity.

  • What is the speaker's plan with the Jackson book?

    -The speaker plans to study the Jackson book to better prepare for their qualifying exam in electrodynamics, as it was their weak point previously.

  • How does the speaker feel about the prospect of studying from Jackson's book?

    -The speaker is excited to delve into the book, despite its reputation for being challenging, and is looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of electrodynamics.

  • What is the significance of the mention of virtual quanta in the context of the book?

    -The mention of virtual quanta suggests that the book covers topics related to quantum field theory and perturbation theory, which are important for understanding high-energy physics and the behavior of particles in electromagnetic fields.

  • What does the speaker imply about the level of difficulty between undergraduate and graduate electrodynamics?

    -The speaker implies that graduate-level electrodynamics, as covered in Jackson's book, involves more complex problems, advanced techniques, and deeper theoretical understanding compared to undergraduate-level electrodynamics.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Diving Into the Depths of Graduate Level Physics

The speaker introduces a segment called 'Miscellaneous Sundays', expressing uncertainty about its permanence. The focus shifts to a challenge involving 72 integrals linked to a Feynman diagram, requiring simplification through Feynman parameters and regularization. Amid this complex discussion, the speaker reveals excitement about a package containing the iconic 'Classical Electrodynamics' by Jackson, known for its difficulty and the emotional toll it takes on graduate students. Highlighting its condition and origins from Seattle Goodwill Industries, the speaker muses on the textbook's reputation and its rite of passage status among graduate students. The plan is to compare this textbook with Griffiths' undergraduate electrodynamics textbook, emphasizing differences in content coverage, such as the inclusion of greens functions and spherical harmonics, which are reserved for graduate studies. The segment concludes with the intention to detail this comparison further.

05:02
🔬 Advanced Concepts in Electrodynamics

The speaker delves into the complexities of graduate-level electrodynamics as presented in Jackson's textbook compared to undergraduate studies with Griffiths' textbook. The discussion highlights the significant step up in difficulty, with more complex boundary value problems like spherical conductors with holes, and a deeper exploration of magneto statics, time-varying fields, and Faraday's law. Jackson's approach to teaching seems to forego a comprehensive math review in favor of diving straight into advanced topics, including wave propagation, wave guides, and the notorious difficulty of the wave guide section. Additionally, the speaker touches on topics such as scattering, perturbation theory, magneto hydrodynamics, and the special theory of relativity, noting Jackson's more extensive coverage. The segment points out the relevance of Jackson's textbook to accelerator physics and anticipates exploring radiative processes and relativistic dynamics further.

10:03
🌌 Bridging Quantum Concepts with Classical Physics

In the final segment, the speaker discusses advanced topics in Jackson's textbook that intertwine classical electrodynamics with concepts that border on quantum mechanics. Topics like Thomas scattering, the method of virtual quanta, and multipole fields suggest a depth that surpasses undergraduate education, touching on quantum electrodynamics and particle physics concepts. The discussion acknowledges the quantum-like language used in classical contexts, such as radiative reactions, electromagnetic field lagrangians, and the energy-momentum tensor, highlighting the comprehensive and challenging nature of Jackson's textbook. Concluding the segment, the speaker expresses excitement to tackle the textbook for a deeper understanding of electrodynamics, aiming to strengthen their knowledge for future exams and inviting viewers to share their experiences with Jackson's textbook.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Integrals
Integrals in mathematics are a fundamental concept used to calculate the area under a curve, volumes of solid shapes, and more. In the context of the video, the speaker is discussing their difficulty with solving 72 integrals related to a Feynman diagram, which is a part of their research in physics. This highlights the complexity and advanced nature of the mathematical tools used in graduate-level physics.
💡Feynman Diagram
A Feynman diagram is a visual representation used in quantum field theory to represent the mathematical expressions for interactions between subatomic particles. These diagrams are a key tool in particle physics and help simplify complex integrals. In the video, the speaker is working on an integral related to a Feynman diagram, indicating their research involves high-level quantum mechanics.
💡Fineman Parameters
Feynman parameters are a set of mathematical techniques used in quantum field theory to simplify the calculations of loop integrals in Feynman diagrams. They are a crucial part of the process of regularization, which deals with the infinities that can arise in these calculations. The speaker's mention of using Feynman parameters suggests they are engaged in advanced theoretical physics research.
💡Classical Electrodynamics
Classical Electrodynamics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of the electromagnetic field, including its properties and behavior as described by Maxwell's equations. The speaker receives a textbook on this subject, indicating a focus on graduate-level physics. The book, authored by Jackson, is infamous among graduate students for its difficulty and comprehensive coverage of the subject.
💡Jackson
Referring to John David Jackson, an American physicist known for his influential textbook 'Classical Electrodynamics,' which is a staple in graduate-level physics education. The book is renowned for its rigorous treatment of electrodynamics and is often associated with the challenges faced by graduate students in mastering the subject.
💡Electrodynamics
Electrodynamics is a branch of physics that studies the dynamics of electric and magnetic fields, as described by Maxwell's equations. It is a fundamental area of study in physics, with applications ranging from understanding electromagnetic waves to the behavior of particles in accelerators. In the video, the speaker is diving into a graduate-level textbook on electrodynamics, indicating a deep exploration of these concepts.
💡Griffiths
David J. Griffiths is an American physicist and author of the well-known textbook 'Introduction to Electrodynamics,' which is widely used for undergraduate education in physics. The book is praised for its clear explanations and comprehensive coverage of electrodynamics at a level accessible to undergraduate students. In the video, the speaker compares the contents of Jackson's book to Griffiths', highlighting the differences in depth and complexity between undergraduate and graduate-level physics education.
💡Relativity
Relativity is a fundamental theory in physics, developed by Albert Einstein, which revolutionized the understanding of space, time, and energy. It consists of two parts: the special theory of relativity, which deals with objects moving at constant speeds, and the general theory of relativity, which extends these concepts to include gravity. In the video, the speaker mentions that the textbook covers the special theory of relativity, indicating a focus on the principles that underpin modern physics.
💡Quantization
Quantization is the process of describing physical quantities, such as energy, as discrete rather than continuous. It is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, where it leads to the idea of quantized energy levels for particles. Although the speaker mentions that the book's title 'Classical Electrodynamics' suggests a focus on classical physics, the mention of quantization indicates a potential overlap with quantum concepts, which are essential in understanding electromagnetic fields at a deeper level.
💡Radiative Reaction
Radiative reaction refers to the process by which an accelerating charged particle emits radiation, leading to a reaction force on the particle itself. This concept is significant in the context of high-energy physics and the understanding of particle behavior at relativistic speeds. In the video, the speaker mentions radiative reaction in the context of the book's contents, suggesting a deep dive into the effects of radiation on moving charges.
💡Magnetohydrodynamic
Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is a branch of fluid dynamics that studies the dynamics of electrically conducting fluids such as plasmas, in the presence of magnetic fields. It is an interdisciplinary field with applications in astrophysics, fusion research, and geophysics. The mention of magnetohydrodynamics in the video indicates that the book covers advanced topics related to the interaction of electromagnetic fields with matter in a fluid context.
Highlights

The speaker is currently working on solving 72 integrals related to a Feynman diagram.

The integrals are challenging due to the complexity of using Feynman parameters and the need for regularization.

The speaker received a package containing a graduate-level physics textbook, 'Classical Electrodynamics' by Jackson.

The book is infamous among grad students for its difficulty, but is considered a rite of passage.

The speaker plans to compare Jackson's textbook with Griffiths' 'Introduction to Electrodynamics', a well-known undergraduate textbook.

Both textbooks start with vector analysis and Maxwell's equations but Jackson introduces Green's functions early on.

Jackson's textbook is over 800 pages and is expected to cover topics in greater depth than Griffiths.

The speaker notes that Jackson's book might have more advanced techniques and more challenging problems.

The speaker discusses the coverage of boundary value problems, multipole expansion, and magnetostatics in Jackson's textbook.

Jackson's approach to special relativity is spread over two chapters, compared to Griffiths' single chapter.

The speaker anticipates that Jackson's book will cover topics like radiation, particle drifts, and adiabatic invariants of flux.

The speaker expresses excitement about diving into the book, especially since electrodynamics was a weak point for them.

The speaker invites viewers to share their experiences with Jackson's textbook in the comments.

The speaker mentions that Jackson's book is often cited in accelerator physics literature.

The speaker notes the inclusion of advanced topics like radiation damping, cell fields, and radiative reaction force.

The speaker is particularly interested in the sections on special relativity and the potential coverage of quantization of the electromagnetic field.

The speaker plans to use Jackson's book to prepare for a qualifying exam, hoping it will strengthen their understanding of electrodynamics.

Transcripts

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