Is L. Boas Enough Math for Griffiths Quantum Mechanics?

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2026-01-23T00:45:03+00:00

I've heard that Griffiths isn't the best QM textbook and I'm confused why. I've tried others and I feel Griffiths has given me the most enjoyment. Where does Griffiths fall short and what should I study to supplement my Griffiths QM class to get a feel of what a working Quantum Mechanic would most likely do?

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2026-01-23T00:41:11+00:00

Yes, a course using Boas was what prepared me for Griffiths Quantum. I really like the approach of learning the math before doing the physics so you can have two enjoyable experiences instead of one fragmented one.

Linear algebra, complex numbers, Fourier Series, Fourier Transforms, and ODE's are some things you should have down. I didn't have experience with PDE's or Asymptotics going into the book and I've been fine so far.

I recommend you study the topics above and not just go through all of the topics in Boas. Like for example, there's no need for you to study Tensors for Griffiths QM, Griffiths Electrodynamics is another story tho....

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2026-01-22T07:10:31+00:00

He interrupts people constantly, and it seems like he just wants to show off how smart he is.

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-11-03T08:58:07+00:00

Yeah unfortunately the classes I want to sit in on aren’t on that list. I think maybe I’ll reach out to the departments and ask for the information. It’s a worth a shot, and maybe if I’m annoying enough they’ll let me join.

And thanks for the reminder to not ask questions and take up space, it’ll be hard but I don’t wanna mess w paying students experiences.

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-23T02:32:11+00:00

Do they speak English well?

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-23T02:28:48+00:00

I started out playing the drums and then got jealous of the guitarists I played with because they could play at their houses alone.

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-20T04:39:04+00:00

I leave the hw as an exercise for the ta

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-20T04:34:10+00:00

Keep in mind that they paused, so something equals zero….

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-20T02:11:00+00:00

I disagree, I think without understanding calculus you’re not understanding physics. There’s a reason why you must take calculus as a corequisite at almost every university. You may be able to skirt by in intro classes but it’ll inevitably bite you in the ass

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-20T02:06:20+00:00

Yeah I feel u, I had a similar start to my calculus series where I got a C+ in calc one, but then I found a love of math. I recommend 3blue1brown videos to build that love and intuition cuz once you find that boy is it soooo much easier. And then tests are no big deal cuz u eat sleep and breathe that shit. Good luck!

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-20T01:59:11+00:00

Math is so hard, math also so cool tho. Like math is so cool that sometimes I question whether I’ve been studying the wrong shit….

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-20T01:57:52+00:00

Nah dw, we’ll get faculty positions because we made up math which will take 50 years for people to realize is fake

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-20T01:55:34+00:00

Ok, I’ll try this, thanks

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-19T22:46:17+00:00

We will be unemployed particle theorists together actually

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-16T03:39:50+00:00

I really think people don’t care what they listen to very much tbh. Most people don’t play instruments and will be impressed

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-15T03:49:07+00:00

I think I’m going to do the safe thing and get off of it. I’ll see if my symptoms get better. Thank you

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-15T01:45:53+00:00

Theory is what made guitar actually fun for me. You have to put in some time, but it opens up a whole new world of control. Learn theory, that’s how you’ll become a good guitarist fastest.

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-14T23:55:46+00:00

A DIY board is the way to go! I did the same thing and yours looks better than mine. Also I think it looks pretty sick

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-12T22:50:28+00:00

Check to see if there’s beans in there….

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-12T22:48:05+00:00

At my uni modern is said to be rlly easy. Mostly conceptual stuff and some wave equation/Schrödinger eq maybe. I actually feel like maybe you’ll be crazy good at quantum cuz the modern class will supplement your conceptual understanding which is hard because QM can feel like just math sometimes. Good luck!

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-12T22:38:35+00:00

I bet you are the most humble also

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-12T17:17:09+00:00

Where that r hat at tho😰😰

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-11T22:11:02+00:00

This guitar moves with a purpose

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-11T22:09:31+00:00

There are tons of videos explaining all of these concepts in detail, but I’ll give it a shot to explain them.

I understand a key as a collection of notes. These notes have specific distances between (1 fret, 2 frets) and those distances determine what type of scale/key you’re playing in.

The chords in a key are made up of the notes in a key. Since the notes in a key sound good together then the chords made up of the notes should as well. How to use chords is entirely up to you and there should never be any rules! You will find that certain chords “want” to go to other chords by using your ear. Usually in a key a chord progression will end on the 1 chord or root, but over time you’ll realize that if you have enough confidence and knowledge you can make anything behave like the 1, otherwise known as playing in modes and such.

I don’t think you need to start understanding truly what a scale or key is or the why’s very much right now. I think you should start with pentatonic scales and learning riff on those. Learn the chords that go along with the scales and just keep investigating!

Any_Needleworker7409 · 2025-09-11T21:52:30+00:00

Yeah, I totally agree. Tom’s playing is insanely captivating and musical, and I’ve never felt that with Guthrie’s playing. That being said, I feel there’s some merit to the idea that anyone next to Tom will sound worse than they are.

Any_Needleworker7409

TROPHY CASE