When Things Grow Many: Complexity, Universality and Emergence in Nature

When Things Grow Many is an accessible and engaging textbook that introduces the theory of statistical mechanics and its interdisciplinary applications to a wide range of subjects. It covers methods such as complexity, emergence, universality, self-organized criticality, power laws, and more, and is woven with mathematical content in the form of equations and footnotes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 27 January 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

When Things Grow Many is a comprehensive and accessible textbook that delves into the realm of statistical mechanics, presenting its theoretical foundations and captivating real-world applications. Written with an audience of advanced undergraduates and graduate students in mind, this book offers a unique approach that spans interdisciplinary applications of statistical mechanics across various fields, including chemistry, biology, linguistics, economics, sociology, and more. Its innovative approach is sure to captivate a broad readership, as it explores the interplay between statistical mechanics and diverse disciplines.

The first part of the book introduces the various methods of statistical physics, encompassing complexity, emergence, universality, self-organized criticality, power laws, and other timely topics. These methods are contextualized within the broader framework of statistical mechanics, providing a solid foundation for understanding the underlying principles.

In the subsequent sections, the book delves into the specific relevance of these methods to the social, biological, and physical sciences. It showcases how statistical mechanics can be applied to understand complex systems, such as social networks, biological processes, and physical phenomena, offering insights into phenomena ranging from the formation of patterns to the behavior of matter.

Throughout the text, mathematical content is interwoven seamlessly, presented in the form of equations and accompanied by footnotes and appendices that offer further background and explanations. This approach ensures that readers with varying mathematical backgrounds can grasp the concepts effectively, while also providing a deeper understanding of the mathematical foundations of statistical mechanics.

By presenting a comprehensive and engaging exploration of statistical mechanics, When Things Grow Many serves as an invaluable resource for advanced undergraduates and graduate students seeking to deepen their understanding of this fundamental field. Its interdisciplinary approach, coupled with its clear and concise writing style, makes it accessible to a wide range of readers interested in exploring the complexities of the natural world.

Weight: 730g
Dimension: 252 x 178 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198861881