Dynamical Symmetry

Writing for physicists, physical chemists, applied mathematicians, and other mathematically-oriented natural scientists, Wulfmann (U. of the Pacific, US) describes how a geometric appreciation of Lie symmetries contributes to understanding natural phenomena. He begins by exploring the implications of interconnected geometrical, analytic, and physical concepts of symmetry for a range of mathematical and physical relationships in a general manner before proceeding to a more formal treatment of how Lie symmetries are defined by differential equations and how to determine the invariance transformations of functions, functionals, and equations. Remaining chapters formally describe dynamical symmetry in Hamiltonian mechanics, symmetries in classical Keplerian motion, dynamical symmetry in Schrodinger quantum mechanics, spectrum-generating Lie algebras and groups admitted by Schrodinger equations, dynamical symmetry of regularized hydrogen-like atoms, approximate dynamical symmetries in atomic and molecular physics, rovibronic systems, and dynamical symmetry of Maxwell's equations. Familiarity with differential and integral calculus, introductory ordinary differential equations, and senior undergraduate-level classical and quantum mechanics is assumed. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)