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{{short description|Series of textbooks by Arnold Sommerfeld}}

{{Italic title}}

{{Infobox book series

| name = ''Lectures on Theoretical Physics''

| image = <!-- Example.jpg -->

| image_caption =

| author = [[Arnold Sommerfeld]]

| title_orig = ''Vorlesungen über Theoretische Physik''

| translator =

| country = Germany

| language = German

| discipline = Physics

| publisher = [[Academic Press]]

| pub_date = 1943–1952

| english_pub_date = 1949–1964

| media_type = Print

| number_of_books = 6

| list_books = =

}}

[[File:Sommerfeld1897.gif|thumb|Photo of Sommerfeld in 1897]]

'''''Lectures on Theoretical Physics''''' is a six -volume series of physics textbooks translated from [[Arnold Sommerfeld]]'s classic German texts '''''Vorlesungen über Theoretische Physik'''''. The series includes the volumes ''Mechanics'', ''Mechanics of deformableDeformable bodiesBodies'', ''Electrodynamics'', ''Optics'', ''Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics'', and ''Partial Differential Equations in Physics''. SommerfeldFocusing wroteon allone sixsubject textbookseach insemester, Germanthe basedlectures onformed hisa three-year lecturecycle seriesof givencourses that Sommerfeld repeatedly taught at the [[University of Munich]] for over thirty years. Sommerfeld's lectures were famous and he was held to be one of the greatest physics lecturers of his time.<ref name=Lindsay />

== Background ==

Sommerfeld was a well known German theoretical physicist who played a major role in developing [[old quantum theory]].<ref>{{Cite journal|lastlast1=Sommerfeld|firstfirst1=A.|last2=Bopp|first2=F.|date=1951-01-26|title=Fifty Years of Quantum Theory|url=https://www.science.sciencemag.org/contentdoi/11310.1126/science.113.2926/.85|journal=Science|language=en|volume=113|issue=2926|pages=85–92|doi=10.1126/science.113.2926.85|issn=0036-8075|pmid=17808940|bibcode=1951Sci...113...85S|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Born|1952|pages=282–283}}</ref> He was renowned as a great teacher of theoretical physics in the early 20th century.<ref>{{harvnb|Eckert|2013|ppp=420, 433|ps="Planck was the authority, Einstein the genius, and Sommerfeld the teacher"}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Born|1952|pages=275, 286,287}}</ref><ref name="PeierlsMulti">{{Cite journal|last=Peierls|first=R. E.|author-link=Rudolf Peierls|date=November 1951|title=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=168|issue=4282|pages=887|bibcode=1951Natur.168Q.887P|doi=10.1038/168887a0|issn=1476-4687|s2cid=4154078|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=Hermann /><ref name=Lindsay /> [[Wolfgang Pauli]] wrote in 1951 that Sommerfeld was "the epitome of the scholar and the teacher".<ref>{{harvnb|Eckert|2013|p=420}}</ref> Another physicist, summarizing "the roles of the most important exponents of theoretical physics in its 'golden age'",<ref>{{harvnb|Eckert|2013|p=433}}</ref> wrote that "Planck was the authority, Einstein the genius, and Sommerfeld the teacher" in a 1973 biography of [[Max Planck]].<ref name=Hermann>{{Cite book|last=Hermann|first=Armin|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/max-planck-mit-selbstzeugnissen-und-bilddokumenten/oclc/1073826264&referer=brief_results|title=Max Planck mit Selbstzeugnissen und Bilddokumenten|date=2017|page=56|publisher=Rowohlt |isbn=978-3-499-50198-2|language=German|oclc=1073826264}}</ref> Summarizing public reception of Sommerfeld's teaching style, [[Robert Bruce Lindsay]] wrote in 1954 that it "is generally admitted that as an effective lecturer Sommerfeld has been rarely if ever surpassed."<ref name=Lindsay />

The textbooks, originally published in German, were based on series of his lectures, which were made to be self-consistent within each section, at the [[University of Munich]] that ran over a three-year cycle.<ref name="PeierlsMulti" /> In addition to specialized classes, Thethe set of lectures presented by the book represent Sommerfeld's standard introductory courses in physics that he gave in Munich, with each subject taught over one semester for a total of three years.<ref name="Born286">{{harvnb|Born|1952|pages=286}}</ref> Sommerfeld continued this cycle of lectures for over thirty years at the university, which were very popular and influential.<ref name="Lindsay" />

In addition to his normal lectures, Sommerfeld also specializedlectured coursesin asspecialized wellcourses, includedincluding courses in [[atomic physics]] that form the subject of another of his books: ''[[Atomic structureStructure and spectralSpectral linesLines]]'', which was published in 1919.<ref name="Born286" /> The world-famous textbook is known as the "Bible of atomic physics".<ref>{{harvnb|Eckert|2013|p=xi}}</ref> His other previous works included another lecture series titled ''Three lectures on atomic physics'', which was published in 1926 by [[Methuen Publishing]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=L.e.p.|date=1 June 1928|title=Three lectures on atomic physics: By Arnold Sommerfeld, F.R.S., Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Munich, translated by Dr. Henry L. Brose. 70 pages, 18 × 12 cm., cloth. New York, E. P. Dutton and Company. Price, $1|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016003228912831|journal=Journal of the Franklin Institute|language=en|volume=205|issue=6|pages=898–899|doi=10.1016/S0016-0032(28)91283-1|issn=0016-0032|url-access=subscription}}</ref> He had also edited the book series ''Die Theorie des Kreisels'', which was based on a set of lectures given by his mentor [[Felix Klein]].<ref>{{harvnb|Born|1952|pages=278}}</ref>

== Volumes ==

There are six volumes to the lecture series, ''Mechanics'', ''Mechanics of deformable bodies'', ''Electrodynamics'', ''Optics'', ''Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics'', and ''Partial Differential Equations in Physics'', which all follow a semester course given by Sommerfeld at the [[University of Munich]]. Characterizing the series, [[Rudolf Peierls]] wrote in 1956 that they exemplify "Sommerfeld's attitude of putting practical problems and their solution above abstract principles, an attitude by its nature closer to Boltzmann than to that of Gibbs."<ref name=PeierlsFive />

=== ''Mechanics'' ===

'''''Mechanik''''', the first volume of Sommerfeld's ''Vorlesungen über Theoretische Physik'', was published in 1947 by Akademische Verlagegesellschaft Becker und Erler and subsequently translated into English by [[Martin O. Stern]] and published as '''''Mechanics''''' in 1953 by the [[Academic Press]]. [[Paul Peter Ewald]] wrote a foreword for the English edition where he attempts to summarize Sommerfeld's lecture style and use the information to explain why Sommerfeld had so many successful students.<ref name=Lindsay />

'''''Mechanik''''', the first volume of Sommerfeld's '''Vorlesungen über Theoretische Physik'', was published in 1947 by Akademische Verlagegesellschaft Becker und Erler and subsequently translated into English by [[Martin O. Stern]] and published as '''''Mechanics''''' in 1953 by the [[Academic Press]]. The book was reviewed by [[Robert Bruce Lindsay]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Lindsay|first=R. B.|author-link=Robert Bruce Lindsay|date=February 1954|title=Mechanics. Lectures on Theoretical Physics, Volume I|url=http://physicstoday.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.3061512|journal=Physics Today|language=en|volume=7|issue=2|pages=18–19|doi=10.1063/1.3061512|issn=0031-9228}}</ref> [[Rudolf Peierls]],<ref name=PeierlsMulti /><ref name=PeierlsOne>{{Cite journal|last=Peierls|first=R. E.|author-link=Rudolf Peierls|date=May 1954|title=[Short Reviews]|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/173932d0|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=173|issue=4411|pages=932–932|doi=10.1038/173932d0|issn=1476-4687}}</ref> and several others.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Byers|first=A. C.|date=April 1953|title=Mechanics. Lectures on theoretical physics, Volume I|url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/0016003253904116|journal=Journal of the Franklin Institute|language=en|volume=255|issue=4|pages=354–355|doi=10.1016/0016-0032(53)90411-6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Houston|first=W. V.|date=May 1953|title=Mechanics, Lectures on Theoretical Physics|url=http://aapt.scitation.org/doi/10.1119/1.1933476|journal=American Journal of Physics|language=en|volume=21|issue=5|pages=399–399|doi=10.1119/1.1933476|issn=0002-9505}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Leggett|first=D. M. A.|date=1953|title=Review of Mechanics. Lectures on Theoretical Physics, Vol. 1|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43415023|journal=Science Progress (1933- )|volume=41|issue=163|pages=515–516|issn=0036-8504}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Prager|first=W.|date=1953|title=Review of Mechanics|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43634072|journal=Quarterly of Applied Mathematics|volume=11|issue=3|pages=373–373|issn=0033-569X}}</ref>

'''''Mechanik''''', the first volume of Sommerfeld's '''Vorlesungen über Theoretische Physik'', was published in 1947 by Akademische Verlagegesellschaft Becker und Erler and subsequently translated into English by [[Martin O. Stern]] and published as '''''Mechanics''''' in 1953 by the [[Academic Press]]. The book was reviewed by [[Robert Bruce Lindsay]],<ref name="Lindsay">{{Cite journal|last=Lindsay|first=R. B.|author-link=Robert Bruce Lindsay|date=February 1954|title=Mechanics. Lectures on Theoretical Physics, Volume I|url=http://physicstoday.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.3061512|journal=Physics Today|language=en|volume=7|issue=2|pages=18–19|doi=10.1063/1.3061512|bibcode=1954PhT.....7b..18S|issn=0031-9228|url-access=subscription}}</ref> [[Rudolf Peierls]],<ref name="PeierlsMulti" /><ref name="PeierlsOne">{{Cite journal|last=Peierls|first=R. E.|author-link=Rudolf Peierls|date=May 1954|title=[Short Reviews]|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/173932d0|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=173|issue=4411|pages=932–932932|doi=10.1038/173932d0|bibcode=1954Natur.173..932P|s2cid=39003607|issn=1476-4687|doi-access=free}}</ref> and[[William several othersV. Houston]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last=ByersHouston|first=AW. CV.|author-link=William V. Houston|date=AprilMay 1953|title=Mechanics., Lectures on theoreticalTheoretical physics, Volume IPhysics|url=httpshttp://linkinghubaapt.elsevierscitation.comorg/retrievedoi/pii10.1119/00160032539041161.1933476|journal=American Journal of the Franklin InstitutePhysics|language=en|volume=25521|issue=45|pages=354–355399|doi=10.10161119/00161.1933476|bibcode=1953AmJPh..21..399S|issn=0002-0032(53)904119505|url-6access=subscription}}</ref> and several others.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=HoustonByers|first=WA. VC.|date=MayApril 1953|title=Mechanics,. Lectures on Theoreticaltheoretical Physicsphysics, Volume I|url=httphttps://aaptlinkinghub.scitationelsevier.orgcom/doiretrieve/10.1119pii/1.19334760016003253904116|journal=American Journal of Physicsthe Franklin Institute|language=en|volume=21255|issue=54|pages=399–399354–355|doi=10.11191016/1.19334760016-0032(53)90411-6|issnurl-access=0002-9505subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Leggett|first=D. M. A.|date=1953|title=Review of Mechanics. Lectures on Theoretical Physics, Vol. 1|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43415023|journal=Science Progress (1933- )|volume=41|issue=163|pages=515–516|jstor=43415023|issn=0036-8504}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Prager|first=W.|date=1953|title=Review of Mechanics|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43634072|journal=Quarterly of Applied Mathematics|volume=11|issue=3|pages=373–373373|jstor=43634072|issn=0033-569X}}</ref> In his 1954 review of the volume, Lindsay wrote that Sommerfeld's "clarity is indeed remarkably well exemplified" by the mechanics textbook and he praised the book for its "many ingenious comments to help the learner over the rough spots".<ref name="Lindsay" /> Lindsay noted regret for the lack of an extended discussion of mass and force in physics before going on to write that the "book can be heartily recommended to all students of physics on the undergraduate senior and elementary graduate levels in American universities".<ref name="Lindsay" />

* Table of contents:

{{Ordered list |list_style_type=upper-roman |Mechanics of a Particle |Mechanics of Systems, Principle Ofof Virtual Work, and d'alembertAlembert's Principle |Oscillation Problems |The Rigid Body |Relative Motion |Integral Variational Principles Ofof Mechanics and Lagrange's Equations For Generalized Coordinates }}

=== ''Mechanics of deformableDeformable bodiesBodies'' ===

'''''Mechanics of deformable bodies''''', the second volume of the series, was published in English in 1950 by [[Academic Press]]. The book was translated from the German volume '''''Mechanik der deformierbaren Medien''''' by G. Kuerti. The volume was reviewed by [[Rudolf Peierls]].<ref name=PeierlsMulti>{{Cite journal|last=Peierls|first=R. E.|author-link=Rudolf Peierls|date=November 1951|title=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/168887a0|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=168|issue=4282|pages=887–887|doi=10.1038/168887a0|issn=1476-4687}}</ref> The second volume covers topics including [[hydrodynamics]] and [[Elasticity (physics)|elasticity]], which are discussed together, as well as more advanced topics like [[supersonic flow]] and [[shock wave]]s.<ref name=PeierlsMulti />

The volume was reviewed by [[Rudolf Peierls]]. In his review, Peierls argued that covering hydrodynamics and elastics together allowed for the "general principles" to "be treated in a concise and transparent way".<ref name=PeierlsMulti /> Peierls went on to note that it emphasizes physical principles even to the detriment of its treatment of mathematical techniques.<ref name=PeierlsMulti /> At the end of his review of several of four of the book's volumes, Peierls closed by saying: "To me these volumes represent an almost perfect choice of topics for a basic course on theoretical physics".<ref name="PeierlsMulti" />

* Table of contents:

{{Ordered list |list_style_type=upper-roman |Kinematics of Deformable Bodies |Statics of Deformable Bodies |Dynamics of Deformable Bodies |Vortex Theory |Theory of Waves |Flow With Given Boundaries |Supplementary Notes On Selected Hydrodynamic Problems |Supplements To The Theory OpOf Elasticity }}

=== ''Electrodynamics'' ===

'''''Lectures on Theoretical Physics: Electrodynamics''''', published in 1964 by [[Academic Press]], is the third volume of its series and covers topics in [[electrodynamics]]. The book was translated from the German volume '''''Elektrodynamik''''' by [[Edward Ramberg]]. The book was reviewed by [[Rudolf Peierls]],<ref name=PeierlsMulti /> among several others.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Twersky|first=Vic|date=22 January 2009|title=Electrodynamics. Lectures on Theoretical Physics: Vol. III|url=https://physicstoday.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1063/1.3061081|journal=Physics Today|language=en|volume=6|issue=12|pages=2121–22|doi=10.1063/1.3061081|issn=0031-9228|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=April 1954|title=[Book Reviews]|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/173747a0|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=173|issue=4408|pages=747–747747|doi=10.1038/173747a0|bibcode=1954Natur.173..747.|s2cid=31377564|issn=1476-4687 |last1=TAYLOR |first1=F. SHERWOOD |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=F.|first=H. T.|date=1954|title=Review of Electrodynamics. Lectures on Theoretical Physics, Vol. III|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43415222|journal=Science Progress (1933-1933– )|volume=42|issue=165|pages=133–134|jstor=43415222|issn=0036-8504}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Levy|first=Sheldon L.|date=1956|title=Review of Electrodynamics. Lectures on Theoretical Physics, Vol. III|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43634342|journal=Quarterly of Applied Mathematics|volume=14|issue=3|pages=258–258258|jstor=43634342|issn=0033-569X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bowden|first=T. J.|date=January 1953|title=Electrodynamics|url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/0016003253907480|journal=Journal of the Franklin Institute|language=en|volume=255|issue=1|pages=81–82|doi=10.1016/0016-0032(53)90748-0|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

* Table of contents:

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=== ''Optics'' ===

The series' fourth volume, '''''Lectures on Theoretical Physics: Optics''''', was published in 19641954 by [[Academic Press]] after being translated from the German textbook '''''Optik''''' by [[Otto Laporte]] and [[Peter A. Moldauer]]. The book was reviewed by [[Karl Meissner]],<ref name=Meissner>{{Cite journal|last=Meissner|first=K. W.|author-link=Karl Meissner|date=October 1955|title=Optics. Lectures on Theoretical Physics, Vol. IV|url=http://aapt.scitation.org/doi/10.1119/1.1934064|journal=American Journal of Physics|language=en|volume=23|issue=7|pages=477–478|doi=10.1119/1.1934064|bibcode=1955AmJPh..23..477S|issn=0002-9505|url-access=subscription}}</ref> [[Rudolf Peierls]],<ref name=PeierlsFour>{{Cite journal|last=Peierls|first=R. E.|author-link=Rudolf Peierls|date=November 1955|title=[Book Reviews]|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/176850d0|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=176|issue=4488|pages=850–850850|doi=10.1038/176850d0|bibcode=1955Natur.176..850P|s2cid=4192749|issn=1476-4687|doi-access=free}}</ref> and several others.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Domenicali|first=C.A.|date=March 1955|title=Optics. Lectures on theoretical physics, Vol. IV|url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/0016003255908553|journal=Journal of the Franklin Institute|language=en|volume=259|issue=3|pages=265|doi=10.1016/0016-0032(55)90855-3|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=March 1955|title=Optics: Vol. 5 of Lectures on Theoretical Physics|url=http://physicstoday.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.3061948|journal=Physics Today|language=en|volume=8|issue=3|pages=16–1616|doi=10.1063/1.3061948|issn=0031-9228|last1=Sommerfeld|first1=Arnold|last2=Laporte|first2=Otto|last3=Moldauer|first3=Peter A.|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=14 January 2009|title=Optics: Vol. 5 of Lectures on Theoretical Physics|url=https://physicstoday.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1063/1.3061948|journal=Physics Today|language=en|volume=8|issue=3|pages=16|doi=10.1063/1.3061948|issn=0031-9228|last1=Sommerfeld|first1=Arnold|last2=Laporte|first2=Otto|last3=Moldauer|first3=Peter A.|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Max Born wrote in 1952 that the book gives "a very elegant outline" of [[TcherenkovCherenkov radiation]].<ref>{{harvnb|Born|1952|pages=280}}</ref> In his 1955 review, [[Karl Meissner]] wrote that the book is characteristic of Sommerfeld's lectures, which he summarized as "[c]lear and vivid presentation[s] of the basic ideas" with an "elegance in language and of mathematical developments" and an "emphasis on physics."<ref name=Meissner /> Peierls called the book "a very welcome addition to the literature" in his 1955 review and he praised the book, like the other lectures, for "the use of powerful mathematical techniques" that are "presented and applied without losing sight of the physical ideas behind them."<ref name=PeierlsFour />

* Table of contents:

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=== ''Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics'' ===

'''''LecturesThermodynamik onund Theoretical Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical MechanicsStatistik''''', the fifth volume of theSommerfeld's series''Lectures'', was publishededited by [[AcademicFritz PressBopp]] and [[Josef Meixner]] and published posthumously in 19641952 by [[Dieterich'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung]]. The book was translated frominto the GermanEnglish volume '''''ThermodynamikThermodynamics undand StatistikStatistical Mechanics''''' by [[Joseph Kestin]] and subsequentlypublished editedin 1956 by [[FritzAcademic Bopp]] and [[Josef MeixnerPress]]. The book was reviewed by [[Rudolf Peierls]]<ref name=PeierlsFive>{{Cite journal|last=Peierls|first=R. E.|author-link=Rudolf Peierls|date=August 1956|title=[Book Reviews]|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/178288b0|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=178|issue=4528|pages=288–288288|doi=10.1038/178288b0|bibcode=1956Natur.178..288P|s2cid=4176533|issn=1476-4687|doi-access=free}}</ref> and several others.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Emmons|first=H.|date=1957|title=Review of Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43634415|journal=Quarterly of Applied Mathematics|volume=15|issue=1|pages=64–6464|jstor=43634415|issn=0033-569X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ross|first=A. W.|date=1956|title=Review of Lectures on Theoretical Physics. vol. V, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1750843|journal=Science|volume=124|issue=3211|pages=84–8484|doi=10.1126/science.124.3211.84.b|jstor=1750843|s2cid=239515419|issn=0036-8075|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=R.|first=G. S.|date=1957|title=Review of Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. Academic Books|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43416382|journal=Science Progress (1933-1933– )|volume=45|issue=178|pages=348–349|jstor=43416382|issn=0036-8504}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nachtrieb|first=Norman H.|date=August 1956|title=Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. Vol. V|url=http://physicstoday.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.3060071|journal=Physics Today|language=en|volume=9|issue=8|pages=39–40|doi=10.1063/1.3060071|bibcode=1956PhT.....9h..39S|issn=0031-9228|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Silver|first=R S|date=August 1956|title=Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics by Arnold Sommerfeld|url=https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0031-9112/7/8/005|journal=Physics Bulletin|volume=7|issue=8|pages=222–223|doi=10.1088/0031-9112/7/8/005|issn=0031-9112|url-access=subscription}}</ref> After summarizing the book's contents in his 1956 review of the volume, Peierls wrote, "The book is a welcome addition to the text-books on this subject."<ref name=PeierlsFive />

* Table of contents:

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=== ''Partial Differential Equations in Physics'' ===

'''''LecturesPartielle on Theoretical Physics: Partial Differential EquationsDifferentialgleichungen in Physicsder Physik''''', the sixth and final volume of its series, was published in 1947 by [[AcademicDieterich'sche PressVerlagsbuchhandlung]] inwhile 1949it aswas thetranslated sixthto andEnglish finalby volume[[Ernst ofG. itsStraus]] series.and Thepublished bookby was[[Academic translatedPress]] fromin 1949 under the German textbooktitle '''''PartiellePartial DifferentialgleichungenDifferential Equations in der PhysikPhysics''''' by [[Ernest G. Straus]]. The book was reviewed by [[George F. Carrier]],<ref name=Carrier>{{Cite journal|last=Carrier|first=G. F.|author-link=George F. Carrier|date=1952|title=Review of Partial differential equations in physics|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43633950|journal=Quarterly of Applied Mathematics|volume=10|issue=2|pages=193–193193|jstor=43633950|issn=0033-569X}}</ref> [[Michael Golomb]],<ref name=Golomb>{{Cite journal|last=Golomb|first=Michael|author-link=Michael Golomb|date=1950|title=Review of Partial Differential Equations in Physics|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1676772|journal=Science|volume=111|issue=2886|pages=414–415|doi=10.1126/science.111.2886.414.c|jstor=1676772|s2cid=239527732|issn=0036-8075|url-access=subscription}}</ref> [[Rudolf Peierls]],<ref name=PeierlsMulti /> and [[Lincoln LaPaz]].<ref name=LaPaz>{{Cite journal|last=La Paz|first=Lincoln|author-link=Lincoln LaPaz|date=1950|title=Review of Partial Differential Equations in Physics|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3029562|journal=Mathematics Magazine|volume=24|issue=2|pages=99–102|doi=10.2307/3029562|jstor=3029562|issn=0025-570X|url-access=subscription}}</ref> After summarizing the book's contents, Carrier closed his 1952 review by writing: "The book contains an excellent choice of very instructive problems and should be invaluable in teaching the technique of solving the classical type boundary value problems."<ref name=Carrier /> In his 1950 review, Golomb wrote that the book is "concise and very readable" and that its "chief merit" is "its skillful handling of complex problems".<ref name=Golomb /> LaPaz gave a critical review going into detail on several issues before summarizing the review himself: "In conclusion, on balancing out the few quite minor imperfections of the book under review against its many excellences, the reader will not hesitate to accord hearty commendation to author, translator and editors alike for tasks exceedingly well done."<ref name=LaPaz />

* Table of contents:

{{Ordered list |list_style_type=upper-roman |Fourier SeribsSeries and Integrals |Introduction to Partial Differential Equations |Boundary Value Problems in Heat Conduction |Cylinder and Sphere Problems |Eigenfunctions and Eigen Values |Problems of Radio }}

== Publication history ==

=== Original German editions ===

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld|first=Arnold|date=1947|series=Vorlesungen über theoretische Physik|language=German|volume=1|title=Mechanik|trans-title=Mechanics|publisher=[[Akademische Verlagegesellschaft Becker and Erler]]|___location=Leipzig|oclc=491677632|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld|first=Arnold|date=1943|series=Vorlesungen über theoretische Physik|language=German|volume=2|title=Mechanik der deformierbaren Medien|trans-title=Mechanics of Deformable Bodies|publisher=[[Dieterich'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung]]|___location=Wiesbaden|oclc=760037487|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld|first=Arnold|date=1948|series=Vorlesungen über theoretische Physik|language=German|volume=3|title=Elektrodynamik|trans-title=Electrodynamics|publisher=[[Dieterich'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung]]|___location=Wiesbaden|oclc=760037491|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld|first=Arnold|date=1950|series=Vorlesungen über theoretische Physik|language=German|volume=4|title=Optik|trans-title=Opticcs|publisher=[[Dieterich'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung]]|___location=Wiesbaden|oclc=450242968|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld|first=Arnold|date=1952|series=Vorlesungen über theoretische Physik|language=German|volume=5|title=Thermodynamik und Statistik|trans-title=Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics|editor1-last=Bopp|editor1-first=Fritz|editor1-link=Fritz Bopp|editor2-last=Meixner|editor2-first=Josef|editor2-link=Josef Meixner|publisher=[[Dieterich'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung]]|___location=Wiesbaden|oclc=602728833|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld|first=Arnold|date=1947|series=Vorlesungen über theoretische Physik|language=German|volume=6|title=Partielle Differentialgleichungen der Physik|trans-title=Partial Differential Equations in Physics|publisher=[[Dieterich'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung]]|___location=Wiesbaden|oclc=441643966|ref=none}}

=== Original English translations ===

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|title=Mechanics|translator-last=Stern|translator-first=Martin O.|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|volume=1|edition=1st|date=1952|publisher=[[Academic Press]]|isbn=0-12-654668-1|___location=New York|oclc=13466875|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|title=Mechanics of deformable bodies|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|volume=2|edition=1st|date=1950|publisher=[[Academic Press]]|isbn=978-0-12-654650-7|___location=New York|oclc=610683657|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|title=Electrodynamics|translator-last=Ramberg|translator-first=Edward G.|translator-link=Edward Ramberg|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|volume=3|edition=1st|date=1964|publisher=[[Academic Press]]|isbn=978-0-12-654664-4|___location=New York|oclc=761255842|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|title=Optics|translator1-last=Laporte|translator1-first=Otto|translator1-link=Otto Laporte|translator2-last=Moldauer|translator2-first=Peter A.|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|volume=4|edition=1st pbk.|date=1964|publisher=[[Academic Press]]|isbn=978-0-323-15239-6|___location=New York|oclc=840490686|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|title=Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|volume=5|edition=1st|date=1964|publisher=[[Academic Press]]|translator-last=Kestin|translator-first=Joseph|editor1-last=Bopp|editor1-first=Fritz|editor1-link=Fritz Bopp|editor2-last=Meixner|editor2-first=Josef|editor2-link=Josef Meixner|isbn=978-0-323-13773-7|___location=New York|oclc=834542530|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|title=Partial differential equations in physics|translator-last=Straus|translator-first=ErnestErnst G.|translator-link=Ernst G. Straus|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|volume=6|edition=1st|date=1949|publisher=[[Academic Press]]|isbn=978-0-12-654658-3|___location=New York|oclc=339897|ref=none}}

=== eBooks ===

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|translator-last=Stern|translator-first=Martin O.|date=1952|title=Mechanics|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780126546682/mechanics|publisher=Academic Press|___location=New York|via=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|doi=10.1016/C2013-0-07601-3|isbn=9780126546682|ref=none}}

#* {{Cite webbook|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|date=1950|title=eBookMechanics of deformable bodies|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780126546507/mechanics-of-deformable-bodies|access-datepublisher=1Academic DecemberPress|___location=New 2020York|websitevia=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|DOIdoi=10.1016/C2013-0-07598-6|isbn=9780126546507|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|translator-last=Ramberg|translator-first=Edward G.|translator-link=Edward Ramberg|date=1964|title=Electrodynamics|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780126546644/electrodynamics|publisher=Academic Press|___location=New York|via=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|doi=10.1016/C2013-0-07600-1|isbn=9780126546644|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|translator1-last=Laporte|translator1-first=Otto|translator1-link=Otto Laporte|translator2-last=Moldauer|translator2-first=Peter A.|date=1964|title=Optics|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780123955005/optics|publisher=Academic Press|___location=New York|via=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-395500-5.X5001-3|isbn=9780123955005|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|translator-last=Kestin|translator-first=Joseph|editor1-last=Bopp|editor1-first=Fritz|editor1-link=Fritz Bopp|editor2-last=Meixner|editor2-first=Josef|editor2-link=Josef Meixner|date=1956|title=Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780126546804/thermodynamics-and-statistical-mechanics|publisher=Academic Press|___location=New York|via=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-654680-4.X5001-0|hdl=2027/mdp.39015035282444|isbn=9780126546804|ref=none}}

# {{Cite book|last=Sommerfeld, Arnold|translator-last=Straus|translator-first=Ernst G.|translator-link=Ernst G. Straus|title=Partial differential equations in physics|series=Lectures on Theoretical Physics |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780126546583/partial-differential-equations-in-physics|date=1964|publisher=Academic Press|___location=New York|language=en|doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-654658-3.X5001-0|isbn=9780126546583|via=[[ScienceDirect]]|ref=none}}

== See also ==

{{portal|physics}}

Line 91 ⟶ 112:

== Further reading ==

* {{Cite book|last=Eckert|first=Michael|author-link=Michael Eckert|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/852251854|title=Arnold Sommerfeld : science, life and turbulent times 1868-19511868–1951|date=2013|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-4614-7461-6|___location=New York, NY|oclc=852251854}}

* {{Cite journal|last=Born|first=Max|author-link=Max Born|date=1 November 1952|title=Arnold Johannes Wilhelm Sommerfeld 1868-1951|url=https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbm.1952.0018|journal=[[Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society]]|volume=8|issue=21|pages=274–296|doi=10.1098/rsbm.1952.0018|jstor=768813|s2cid=161998194|url-access=subscription}}

* {{cite book|last=Pauli|first=Wolfgang|author-link=Wolfgang Pauli|chapter=Arnold Sommerfeld|pages=41-42|date=1984|chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-88799-3_6|url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-322-88799-3|title=Physik und Erkenntnistheorie|pagespage=42–4242|series=Facetten der Physik|___location=Wiesbaden|publisher=[[Vieweg+Teubner Verlag]]|language=de|doi=10.1007/978-3-322-88799-3_6|isbn=978-3-322-88799-3}}

== External links ==

{{External links|date=December 2020}}

# ''Mechanics''

#* {{Cite web|date=19521964|title=Publisher's website for Mechanics|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/mechanics/sommerfeld/978-0-12-654668654670-25|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

#* {{Cite web|date=19521950|title=eBookPublisher's website for Mechanics of deformable bodies|url=https://www.sciencedirectelsevier.com/book/9780126546682books/mechanics-of-deformable-bodies/sommerfeld/978-0-12-654652-1|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[ScienceDirectElsevier]]|language=en|DOI=10.1016/C2013-0-07601-3}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1964|title=Publisher's website for Electrodynamics|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/mechanicselectrodynamics/sommerfeld/978-0-12-654670654664-54|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1964|title=Publisher's website for Optics|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/optics/laporte/978-0-12-395500-5|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

# ''Mechanics of deformable bodies''

#* {{Cite web|date=19501964|title=Publisher's website for Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/mechanicslectures-ofon-deformabletheoretical-bodiesphysics/sommerfeldbopp/978-0-12-654650654682-78|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

#* {{Cite web|date=19501964|title=Publisher's website for Partial Differential Equations in Physics|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/mechanicspartial-differential-ofequations-deformablein-bodiesphysics/sommerfeldminor/978-0-12-654652654658-13|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1950|title=eBook|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780126546507/mechanics-of-deformable-bodies|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|DOI=10.1016/C2013-0-07598-6}}

# ''Electrodynamics''

#* {{Cite web|date=1952|title=Publisher's website|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/electrodynamics/ramberg/978-0-12-664662-7|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1952|title=eBook|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780126646627/electrodynamics|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|DOI=10.1016/B978-0-12-664662-7.X5001-3}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1964|title=Publisher's website|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/electrodynamics/sommerfeld/978-0-12-654664-4|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1964|title=eBook|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780126546644/electrodynamics|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|DOI=10.1016/C2013-0-07600-1}}

# ''Optics''

#* {{Cite web|date=1964|title=Publisher's website|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/optics/laporte/978-0-12-395500-5|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1964|title=eBook|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780123955005/optics|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|DOI=10.1016/B978-0-12-395500-5.X5001-3}}

# ''Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics''

#* {{Cite web|date=1956|title=Publisher's website|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/thermodynamics-and-statistical-mechanics/kestin/978-0-12-654680-4|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1956|title=eBook|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780126546804/thermodynamics-and-statistical-mechanics|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|DOI=10.1016/B978-0-12-654680-4.X5001-0}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1964|title=Publisher's website|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/lectures-on-theoretical-physics/bopp/978-0-12-654682-8|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1964|title=eBook|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780126546828/lectures-on-theoretical-physics|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|DOI=10.1016/C2009-0-22125-8}}

# ''Partial Differential Equations in Physics''

#* {{Cite web|date=1949|title=Publisher's website|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/partial-differential-equations-in-physics/sommerfeld/978-0-12-654656-9|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1964|title=Publisher's website|url=https://www.elsevier.com/books/partial-differential-equations-in-physics/minor/978-0-12-654658-3|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[Elsevier]]|language=en}}

#* {{Cite web|date=1964|title=eBook|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780126546583/partial-differential-equations-in-physics|access-date=1 December 2020|website=[[ScienceDirect]]|language=en|DOI=10.1016/B978-0-12-654658-3.X5001-0}}

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