Biro T. Variational Principles in Physics. From Classical to Quantum Realm 2023

Textbook in PDF format

This book is an English translation from a Hungarian book designed for graduate and postgraduate students about the use of variational principles in theoretical physics. Unlike many academic textbooks, it dashes across several lecture disciplines taught in physics courses. It emphasizes and demonstrates the use of the variational technique and philosophy behind the basic laws in mechanics, relativity theory, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. The book is meant for advanced students and young researchers in theoretical physics but, also, more experienced researchers can benefit from its reading.
Preface.
Introduction.
Mechanics: Geometry of Orbits.
Gravity: The Optimal Curvature.
Electrodynamics: Forces, Fields, Waves.
Quantum Mechanics: The Most Classical Non-classical Theory.
Further Readings.
Glossary of People Appearing in the Hungarian Book