Thermal Physics
Energy and Entropy
Published on 11. February 2015
978-1-316-19168-2 (ISBN)
Description
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.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Cambridge University Press
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises; 44 Line drawings, unspecified
File size
3982,55 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-316-19168-2 (9781316191682)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
02/2015
Cambridge University Press
€41.80
Shipment within 15-20 days
Book
02/2015
Cambridge University Press
€75.80
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
David Goodstein is the Frank J. Gilloon Distinguished Teaching and Service Professor Emeritus at the California Institute of Technology. He has extensive research experience in condensed matter physics, and his book States of Matter (1975) was hailed as launching this important field. He directed and hosted the popular television series The Mechanical Universe, based on his lectures at Caltech.
Content
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.
