Microstates, Entropy and Quanta: An Introduction to Statistical Mechanics

Statistical mechanics is a branch of physics that explains physical phenomena by analyzing the behavior of large groups of particles. This book provides a straightforward introduction to the key concepts in statistical mechanics, using a clear, conceptual approach that is accessible to undergraduates. It begins by asking why an ink drop spreads out in a bathtub of water, leading to ideas of microstates, energy, entropy, thermodynamics, and physical chemistry. Quantum ideas such as bosons and fermions are then introduced, and the book ends with a detailed derivation of blackbody radiation. Suitable for use with core undergraduate courses in statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, the book concentrates on using solid mathematics while avoiding cumbersome notation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 541 pages
Publication date: 13 February 2019
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Statistical mechanics is often dreaded by physics students,viewed as a long parade of ensembles, partition functions, and partial derivatives. However, the subject doesn't have to be mysterious. When stripped down to its core concepts and built from the ground up, statistical mechanics reveals its own charm and sheds light on a wide range of physical phenomena. This book presents a straightforward introduction to the key concepts in statistical mechanics, following the popular style of the author's highly successful textbook Explorations in Mathematical Physics. Offering a clear, conceptual approach to the subject matter, the book presents a treatment that is mathematically complete, while remaining very accessible to undergraduates. It commences by asking: why does an ink drop spread out in a bathtub of water? This showcases the importance of counting configurations, which leads naturally to ideas of microstates, energy, entropy, thermodynamics, and physical chemistry. With this foundation, the Boltzmann distribution writes itself in its fullest form, opening the door to the Maxwell distribution and related areas of thermal conductivity and viscosity. Quantum ideas then appear: bosons via Einstein's and Debye's theories of heat capacity, and fermions via electrical conduction and low-temperature heat capacity of metals. The text ends with a detailed derivation of blackbody radiation, and uses this to discuss the greenhouse effect, lasers, and cosmology. Suitable for use with core undergraduate courses in statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, this book concentrates on using solid mathematics, while avoiding cumbersome notation. All the necessary mathematical steps are included in the body of the text and in the worked examples. Reviews of E. Statistical mechanics is often dreaded by physics students, viewed as a long parade of ensembles, partition functions, and partial derivatives. However, the subject doesn't have to be mysterious. When stripped down to its core concepts and built from the ground up, statistical mechanics reveals its own charm and sheds light on a wide range of physical phenomena. This book presents a straightforward introduction to the key concepts in statistical mechanics, following the popular style of the author's highly successful textbook Explorations in Mathematical Physics. Offering a clear, conceptual approach to the subject matter, the book presents a treatment that is mathematically complete, while remaining very accessible to undergraduates. It commences by asking: why does an ink drop spread out in a bathtub of water? This showcases the importance of counting configurations, which leads naturally to ideas of microstates, energy, entropy, thermodynamics, and physical chemistry. With this foundation, the Boltzmann distribution writes itself in its fullest form, opening the door to the Maxwell distribution and related areas of thermal conductivity and viscosity. Quantum ideas then appear: bosons via Einstein's and Debye's theories of heat capacity, and fermions via electrical conduction and low-temperature heat capacity of metals. The text ends with a detailed derivation of blackbody radiation, and uses this to discuss the greenhouse effect, lasers, and cosmology. Suitable for use with core undergraduate courses in statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, this book concentrates on using solid mathematics, while avoiding cumbersome notation. All the necessary mathematical steps are included in the body of the text and in the worked examples. Reviews of E.

Weight: 1012g
Dimension: 167 x 244 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030024284
Edition number: 1st ed. 2018