Perspectives on Statistical Thermodynamics
Cambridge University Press, 12/14/2017
EAN 9781107154018, ISBN10: 1107154014
Hardcover, 476 pages, 25.3 x 19.2 x 2.8 cm
Language: English
This original text develops a deep, conceptual understanding of thermal physics, highlighting the important links between thermodynamics and statistical physics, and examining how thermal physics fits within physics as a whole, from an empirical perspective. The first part of the book is devoted to elementary, mesoscopic topics such as Brownian motion, which leads to intuitive uses of large deviation theory, one of the pillars of modern probability theory. The book then introduces the key concepts behind statistical thermodynamics, and the final part describes more advanced and applied topics from thermal physics such as phase transitions and critical phenomena. This important subject is presented from a fresh perspective and in a highly pedagogical manner, with numerous worked examples and relevant cultural side notes throughout, making it ideal as either a textbook for advanced thermal physics courses or for self-study by undergraduate and graduate students in physics and engineering.
Preface
Self-study guide
List of Symbols
Part I. Introduction
1. Introduction
2. Atomic picture of gases
3. Introduction to probability
4. Law of large numbers
5. Maxwell's distribution
6. Delta function and density distribution functions
7. Mean free path and diffusion
8. Introduction to transport phenomena
9. Brownian motion
10. Langevin equation and large deviation
Part II. Statistical Thermodynamics
Basics
11. Macrosystems in equilibrium
12. Thermodynamic description
13. Basic thermodynamics
14. Thermodynamics
general consequences
15. Entropy through examples
16. Free energy and convex analysis
17. Introduction to statistical mechanics
18. Statistical mechanics of isothermal systems
19. Canonical density operator
20. Classical canonical ensemble
21. Information and entropy
22. Information and thermodynamics
23. Oscillators at low temperatures
24. How to manipulate partial derivatives
25. Thermodynamic stability
26. Fluctuation and response
27. Chemical potential
28. Grand canonical ensemble
29. Ideal quantum systems at low temperatures
30. Photons and internal motions
Part III. Elements of Phase Transition
31. Phases and phase transitions
32. Phase transition in d-space
33. Critical phenomena and renormalization
34. Mean field and transfer matrix
35. Symmetry breaking
36. First order phase transition
Appendix. Introduction to mechanics
References
Index.