Thermal Physics
Energy and Entropy

A fresh introduction to thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and the study of matter for undergraduate courses.

David Goodstein (Author)

9781107465497, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 February 2015

176 pages, 44 b/w illus. 96 exercises
22 x 15.3 x 0.8 cm, 0.29 kg

Written by distinguished physics educator David Goodstein, this fresh introduction to thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and the study of matter is ideal for undergraduate courses. The textbook looks at the behavior of thermodynamic variables and examines partial derivatives - the essential language of thermodynamics. It also explores states of matter and the phase transitions between them, the ideal gas equation, and the behavior of the atmosphere. The origin and meaning of the laws of thermodynamics are then discussed, together with Carnot engines and refrigerators, and the notion of reversibility. Later chapters cover the partition function, the density of states, and energy functions, as well as more advanced topics such as the interactions between particles and equations for the states of gases of varying densities. Favoring intuitive and qualitative descriptions over exhaustive mathematical derivations, the textbook uses numerous problems and worked examples to help readers get to grips with the subject.

1. The basic ideas of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics
2. The care and feeding of thermodynamic variables
3. Gases and other matters
4. The laws of thermodynamics
5. The Boltzmann factor and the density of states
6. Thermodynamic functions
7. Statistical mechanics for fixed and variable N
8. More advanced topics
9. Solutions
Index.

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