Bergmann/Schaefer: Lehrbuch der Experimentalphysik
Bergmann/Schaefer is a textbook for experimental physics in eight volumes. It thus occupies a midway position between a text book and a manual and today continues the tradition of the famous Müller-Pouillet, Lehrbuch der Physik, which was a standard work in the first half of the last century for all physicists, both during their studies and in their professional life. The description of experiments and observations, plus the outcome of these, occupies a broad expanse in Bergmann/Schaefer. In this respect, this textbook differs from other works of similar scope, such as the Berkeley Physics Course, the Feynman Lectures and the Manchester Series.
Concept and structure:
This experimental physics textbook was conceived by Ludwig Bergmann and Clemens Schaefer. In the years from 1943 to 1955, the first three volumes were published: mechanics, electromagnetism and optics. From 1970, they were revised by Heinrich Gobrecht and complemented in 1975 by a fourth volume on the structure of matter. However, this field soon proved to be so extensive that further work on it could only be achieved by a host of authors. At the end of the eighties, Wilhelm Raith started on the publishing of a completely revised edition by some 35 authors. The physics of the structure of matter is now spread across volumes 4 to 8. The third volume (optics) had been newly edited by Heinz Niedrig; the first volume was likewise completely rewritten, as was the second volume (electromagnetism).
The following overview shows the current distribution of the complete work’s content.
Volume 1: Mechanik, Akustik, Wärme (12th Edition 2008)
[Mechanics, acoustics, heat]
Volume 2: Elektromagnetismus (9th Edition 2006)
[Electromagnetism]
Volume 3: Optik (10th Edition 2004)
[Optics]
4: Bestandteile der Materie (2nd Edition 2003)
[Components of matter]
Volume 5: Gase, Nanosysteme, Flüssigkeiten (2nd Edition 2005)
[Gases, nanosystems, fluids]
Volume 6: Festkörper (2nd Edition 2005)
[Solid State Physics]
Volume 7: Erde und Planeten (2nd Edition 2001)
[Earth and planets]
Volume 8: Sterne und Weltraum (2nd Edition 2002)
[Stars and outer space]
Bergmann/Schaefer’s intended readership:
Bergmann/Schaefer is an acquisition to last a lifetime, which professionally employed physicists, teachers, engineers or scientists will consult again and again and will refresh, supplement and deepen their knowledge. The wide distribution of Bergmann/Schaefer will enable the individual volumes to be able to be adjusted to the latest state of knowledge as required and by means of new editions. The classic fields covered in volumes 1, 2 and 3 will however remain current for much longer.
Of course, such an extensive work contains more subject matter than is communicated in the applicable lectures for qualified physicists. Bergmann/Schaefer is therefore above all suitable for working out exam questions of greater depth for physics as a main subject. In addition, Bergmann/Schaefer’s eight volumes also offer extensive information on many non exam-relevant questions concerning physics and its related fields.
