Thermal physics

Bibliographic Information

Thermal physics

Ralph Baierlein

Cambridge University Press, 1999

  • : hbk
  • : pbk

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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"

Details

  • NCID
    BA42531266
  • ISBN
    • 0521590825
    • 9780521658386
  • LCCN
    98038617
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    Cambridge
  • Pages/Volumes
    xiii, 442 p.
  • Size
    25 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
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