A Unified Grand Tour of Theoretical Physics
Ian D. Lawrie
Taylor & Francis
A conducted grand tour of the fundamental theories which shape our modern  understanding of the physical world. This book covers the central themes of  spacetime geometry and the general-relativistic account of gravity; quantum  mechanics and quantum field theory; gauge theories and the fundamental  forces of nature, statistical mechanics and the theory of phase  transitions. The basic structure of each theory is explained in explicit  mathematical detail with emphasis on conceptual understanding rather than  on the technical details of specialized applications. Straightforward  accounts are given of the standard models of particle physics and  cosmology, and some of the more speculative ideas of modern theoretical  physics are examined. This book is unique in bringing together the diverse  areas of physics which are usually treated as independent. Designed to be  accessible to final year undergraduates in physics and mathematics and to  provide first year graduate students with a broad introductory view of  theoretical physics, it will also be of interest to scientists and  engineers in other disciplines who need an account of the subject at a  level intermediate between semi-popular and technical research.