Introductory Statistical Mechanics / Edition 2

by Roger Bowley, Mariana Sanchez

Overview

This book explains the ideas and techniques of statistical mechanics—the theory of condensed matter—in a simple and progressive way. The text begins with the laws of thermodynamics and the basic ideas of quantum mechanics. The conceptual ideas are then developed carefully, and the mathematical techniques are developed in parallel to give a coherent overall view. The text is illustrated with examples not just from solid state physics, but also from recent theories of radiation from black holes and recent data on the background radiation from the Cosmic Background Explorer. This second edition includes additional advanced material often found in undergraduate courses. It includes three new chapters on phase transitions at an appropriate level for an undergraduate student, and there are numerous exercises at the end of each chapter, along with brief model answers for the odd-numbered problems. It is a useful and practical textbook for undergraduates in physics and chemistry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198505761
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/20/2000
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	9.40(w) x 6.72(h) x 0.77(d)

About the Author

University of Nottingham

University of Nottingham

Table of Contents

1. The first law of thermodynamics2. Entropy and the second law of thermodynamics3. Probability and statistics4. The ideas of statistical mechanics5. The canonical ensemble6. Identical particles7. Maxwell distribution of molecular speeds8. Planck's distribution9. Systems with variable numbers of particles10. Fermi and Bose particles11. Phase transitions12. Continuous phase transitions13. Ginzburg-Landau theoryA. Thermodynamics in a magnetic fieldB. Useful integralsC. The quantum treatment of a diatomic moleculeD. Travelling wavesE. Partial differentials and thermodynamicsF. Van der Waals equationG. Answers to problemsH. Physical constantsBibliographyIndex

Editorial Reviews

On the first edition: "Introductory Statistical Mechanics is clear and crisp and takes advantage of the best parts of the many approaches to the subject." —Physics Today

From the Publisher