Thermal physics
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Thermal physics
Cambridge University Press, 1999
- : hbk
- : pbk
Available at 24 libraries
Note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Clear and reader-friendly, this is an ideal textbook for students seeking an introduction to thermal physics. Written by an experienced teacher and extensively class-tested, Thermal Physics provides a comprehensive grounding in thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetic theory. A key feature of this text is its readily accessible introductory chapters, which begin with a review of fundamental ideas. Entropy, conceived microscopically and statistically, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics are introduced early in the book. Throughout, topics are built on a conceptual foundation of four linked elements: entropy and the Second Law, the canonical probability distribution, the partition function, and the chemical potential. As well as providing a solid preparation in the basics of the subject, the text goes on to explain exciting recent developments such as Bose-Einstein condensation and critical phenomena. Key equations are highlighted throughout, and each chapter contains a summary of essential ideas and an extensive set of problems of varying degrees of difficulty. A free solutions manual is available for instructors (ISBN 0521 658608). Thermal Physics is suitable for both undergraduates and graduates in physics and astronomy.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- 1. Background
- 2. The second law of thermodynamics
- 3. Entropy and efficiency
- 4. Entropy in quantum theory
- 5. The canonical probability distribution
- 6. Photons and phonons
- 7. The chemical potential
- 8. The quantum ideal gas
- 9. Fermions and bosons at low temperature
- 10. The free energies
- 11. Chemical equilibrium
- 12. Phase equilibrium
- 13. The classical limit
- 14. Approaching zero
- 15. Transport processes
- 16. Critical phenomena
- Epilogue
- Appendix A. Physical and mathematical data
- Appendix B. Examples of estimating occupation numbers
- Appendix C. The framework of probability theory
- Appendix D. Qualitative perspectives on the van der Waals equation
- Index.
by "Nielsen BookData"