Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell
by A. Zee · first published 2003
63% recommend38% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Intuitive introduction to quantum field theory using the path integral formulation. Readable style and worked derivations aimed at learners who find standard texts like Peskin and Schroeder too hard.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
"A quantum field theory text for the twenty-first century, this book makes the essential tool of modern theoretical physics available to any student who has completed a course on quantum mechanics and is eager to go on." "Without a solid understanding of quantum field theory, no student can claim to have mastered contemporary theoretical physics. Offering a remarkably accessible conceptual introduction, this text will be widely welcomed and used."--Jacket.
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…to Elementary Particles, which has a very readable first section going into the history of how we came to have the Standard Model that we have today, some names of who discovered what, etc. A. Zee's Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell is also very nice for getting a sort of pleasant appreciation for quantum field theory if you've got some mathematical background. It also depends on what you take for granted as a baseline. If you can…
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite physics sites, documentaries, books?” ↗…looking at the integral of their sum. The Gaussian integral in the post is on of the most useful out there. I highly recommend the Wikipedia page: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaussian_integral Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell by Zee bases a couple of chapters on this integral.
on “An integral with a couple lessons” ↗There is a nice derivation of Newton’s law from quantum field theory in Zee‘s book „Quantum Field theory in a nutshell“. You can also arrive at Einstein’s field equations by deriving the beta function of bosonic string theory and (2-2 scattering to be precise) and requiring that it is constant.
on “Simple Rules ‘Bootstrap’ the Laws of Physics” ↗Feynman, Leighton, and Sands - The Feynman Lectures: I always look here for a good intuitive explanation. A. Zee - Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell: this is so approachable and in the path integral formulation of QFT. Anyone who points you towards Peskin and Schroeder wants you to suffer. Gattringer and Lang - Quantum Chromodynamics on the Lattice:…
on “Ask HN: What are the best textbooks in your field of expertise?” ↗…- The Quantum Mechanics of Many-Body Systems Weinberg - The Quantum Theory of Fields I, II, and III Zee - Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite physics sites, documentaries, books?” ↗Read "Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell."
on “Quantum Physics Falls Apart Without Imaginary Numbers” ↗For gravity and EM fields the inverse square law is a consequence of a massless force carrier particle and Lorentz invariance. Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell by Zee talks about this early on.
on “The Inverse Square Law (2000)” ↗…advanced mathematically, but it's a good thing to read over to prepare you for more advanced QFT texts. The first chapter is especially good as a history of the development of particle physics. 12. Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell by Zee. 13. Modern Classical Physics by Thorne & Blandford. This is a tour de force. It's an enormous book but it really touches on everything that is left out by the above books. It covers optics,…
on “Ask HN: How to self-study physics?” ↗Zee's "Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell" is fairly light on the math IIRC. That doesn't mean it's an easy read, though.
on “Researchers have observed the Lyman-alpha transition in the antihydrogen atom” ↗