Quantum mechanics (Q2757281)

The book identifies quantum mechanics with atomic physics as seen from the viewpoint of a quantum chemist. Contrary to most texts on the subject it is based throughout on the ``Principle of Mean Deviation from Statistical Equilibrium and Independence'' and thus circumvents the use of the Schrödinger equation. Guiasu introduces ``probability wave functions'' (whenever they are real) but no Hilbert space, energy but no momentum, Euclidean 3-space but no time. Since there is no place for complex numbers in any statistical approach, applications are limited to determining ground state energies from real-valued trial wave functions. The variational parameters are obtained by explicit computer programs using the software package Mathematica by S. Wolfram.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEFor states of several electrons ``moving randomly inside the atom'' Guiasu offers four different models referred to as the calm, nervous, turbulent, and nebulous atom, respectively, whereas ordinary quantum mechanics tells us that the ground state is unique and does not fall into any of these categories unless one disregards pair interactions among the electrons.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThe student who picks this text as basic source of information will not learn about the Planck distribution or the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, will never see the commutation relation of angular momentum, and will not be informed about the tunneling and scattering processes of the atomic world. The text, limited in scope, on the other hand suffers from repetitious long statements (compare for instance p. 167 with p. 171) and, strangely enough, is frequently referred to as ``paper'' suggesting that certain paragraphs have been blindly copied from published articles.