The Theory of Thermodynamics

This 1985 textbook presents the theory of thermodynamics in a logical and uncluttered way, with emphasis on the underlying physical model.

J. R. Waldram (Author)

9780521287968, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 July 1985

356 pages
24.4 x 17 x 1.9 cm, 0.57 kg

This 1985 textbook presents the theory of thermodynamics in a highly interesting way. The presentation of the theory of heat is logical, compact and uncluttered, with an emphasis on the underlying physical model. Unlike other texts published at this time, in this approach the student adopts at the outset the master equation which describes the rate of scattering from one quantum state into another. This makes the link between thermodynamics and kinetics more obvious. Temperature and entropy are initially introduced as statistical concepts. Unlike most other treatments, this book has early sections on the Boltzmann distribution and classical thermodynamics, which may be used as a basis for first-year courses. The book also contains extensive graded exercises.

Preface
1. Introduction: thermodynamic systems seen from outside
2. The statistical foundations
3. Temperature
4. Entropy
5. Elementary theory of the ideal monatomic gas
6. The basic principles of classical thermodynamics
7. Energies in classical thermodynamics
8. Thermodynamic relations
9. Statistical calculation of thermodynamic quantities
10. Waves in a box
11. Systems with variable contents
12. Indistinguishable particles
13. Classical statistical mechanics
14. The problem of the equation of state
15. Electric and magnetic systems
16. Fluctuations and the approach to equilibrium
17. Transport properties
18. Phase transitions
19. The fundamental assumptions reviewed
Answers to problems
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH]