Modern Physics 3rd Edition

Accessible and flexible, Modern Physics, Third Edition has been specifically designed to provide simple, clear, and mathematically uncomplicated explanations of physical concepts and theories of modern physics. The authors clarify and show support for these theories through a broad range of current applications and examples-attempting to answer questions such as: What holds molecules together? How do electrons tunnel through barriers? How do electrons move through solids? How can currents persist indefinitely in superconductors? To pique student interest, brief sketches of the historical development of twentieth-century physics such as anecdotes and quotations from key figures as well as interesting photographs of noted scientists and original apparatus are integrated throughout.

The Third Edition has been extensively revised to clarify difficult concepts and thoroughly updated to include rapidly developing technical applications in quantum physics. To complement the analytical solutions in the text and to help students visualize abstract concepts, the new edition also features free online access to QMTools, new platform-independent simulation software created by co-author, Curt Moyer, and developed with support from the National Science Foundation. Icons in the text indicate the problems designed for use with the software.

About the Authors

Raymond A. Serway

Raymond A. Serway (PhD, Illinois Institute of Technology) is Professor Emeritus at James Madison University. His honors and awards include an honorary doctorate degree from his alma mater, Utica College, the 1990 Madison Scholar Award at James Madison University, the Distinguished Teaching Award at Clarkson University in 1977, and the Alumni Achievement Award from Utica College in 1985. As Guest Scientist at the IBM Research Laboratory in Zurich, Switzerland, he worked with K. Alex Müller, 1987 Nobel Prize recipient. He was a visiting scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, where he collaborated with his mentor and friend, the late Sam Marshall. Dr. Serway is the coauthor of COLLEGE PHYSICS, Eleventh Edition; PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS, Ninth Edition; PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS, Fifth Edition; ESSENTIALS OF COLLEGE PHYSICS; MODERN PHYSICS, Third Edition; and the high school textbook PHYSICS, published by Holt McDougal. He has published more than 40 research papers in the field of condensed matter physics and has given more than 60 presentations at professional meetings.

Clement J. Moses

Clement J. Moses is Emeritus Professor of Physics at Utica College. He was born and brought up in Utica, NY, and holds an A.B. from Hamilton College, an M.S. from Cornell University, and a Ph.D. from State University of New York at Binghamton. He has over 30 years of science writing and teaching experience at the college level, and is a co-author of College Physics, 6th edition, with Serway and Faughn. His research work, both in industrial and university settings, has dealt with defects in solids, solar cells, and the dynamics of atoms at surfaces. In addition to science writing, Dr. Moses enjoys reading novels, gardening, cooking, singing, and going to operas.

Curt A. Moyer

Curt A. Moyer is Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. He came to UNC-Wilmington in 1999. Before that, he had been a member of the Physics Department at Clarkson University since 1974. He has written numerous research articles in the fields of condensed matter physics and surface science. Dr. Moyer is an experienced teacher and an advocate for the uses of computers in education. He prepared the web-based QMTools software that accompanies this text.