An Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

An introductory textbook for standard undergraduate courses in thermodynamics, covering important quantum behaviours, classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.

Keith Stowe (Author)

9781107694927, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 October 2013

568 pages
24.4 x 18.8 x 2.8 cm, 1.2 kg

'… a very good text for undergraduate students … very readable.' The Observatory

This introductory textbook for standard undergraduate courses in thermodynamics has been completely rewritten to explore a greater number of topics, more clearly and concisely. Starting with an overview of important quantum behaviours, the book teaches students how to calculate probabilities in order to provide a firm foundation for later chapters. It introduces the ideas of classical thermodynamics and explores them both in general and as they are applied to specific processes and interactions. The remainder of the book deals with statistical mechanics. Each topic ends with a boxed summary of ideas and results, and every chapter contains numerous homework problems, covering a broad range of difficulties. Answers are given to odd-numbered problems, and solutions to even-numbered problems are available to instructors at www.cambridge.org/9781107694927.

Preface
Part I. Introduction: 1. Introduction
Part II. Small Systems: 2. Statistics for small systems
3. Systems with many elements
Part III. Energy and the First Law: 4. Internal energy
5. Interactions between systems
Part IV. States and the Second Law: 6. Internal energy and the number of accessible states
7. Entropy and the second law
8. Entropy and thermal interactions
Part V. Constraints: 9. Natural constraints
10. Models
11. Choice of variables
12. Special processes
13. Engines
14. Diffusive interactions
Part VI. Classical Statistics: 15. Probabilities and microscopic behaviours
16. Kinetic theory and transport processes in gases
17. Magnetic properties of materials
18. The partition function
Part VII. Quantum Statistics: 19. Introduction to quantum statistics
20. Quantum gases
21. Blackbody radiation
22. The thermal properties of solids
23. The electrical properties of materials
24. Low temperatures and degenerate systems
Appendices
Further reading
Problem solutions
Index.

Subject Areas: Statistical physics [PHS], Physics [PH], Mathematics & science [P]