Thermal Physics

Clear and reader-friendly, this is an ideal textbook for students seeking an introduction to thermal physics. Written by an experienced teacher and extensively class-tested, Thermal Physics provides a comprehensive grounding in thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetic theory. A key feature of this text is its readily accessible introductory chapters, which begin with a review of fundamental ideas. Entropy, conceived microscopically and statistically, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics are introduced early in the book. Throughout, topics are built on a conceptual foundation of four linked elements: entropy and the Second Law, the canonical probability distribution, the partition function, and the chemical potential. As well as providing a solid preparation in the basics of the subject, the text goes on to explain exciting recent developments such as Bose-Einstein condensation and critical phenomena. Key equations are highlighted throughout, and each chapter contains a summary of essential ideas and an extensive set of problems of varying degrees of difficulty. A free solutions manual is available for instructors (ISBN 0521 658608). Thermal Physics is suitable for both undergraduates and graduates in physics and astronomy.

Preface; 1. Background; 2. The second law of thermodynamics; 3. Entropy and efficiency; 4. Entropy in quantum theory; 5. The canonical probability distribution; 6. Photons and phonons; 7. The chemical potential; 8. The quantum ideal gas; 9. Fermions and bosons at low temperature; 10. The free energies; 11. Chemical equilibrium; 12. Phase equilibrium; 13. The classical limit; 14. Approaching zero; 15. Transport processes; 16. Critical phenomena; Epilogue; Appendix A. Physical and mathematical data; Appendix B. Examples of estimating occupation numbers; Appendix C. The framework of probability theory; Appendix D. Qualitative perspectives on the van der Waals equation; Index.

This textbook provides a clear, instructive and highly readable introduction to thermal physics. Written by an experienced teacher, it gives a comprehensive grounding in thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and kinetic theory and also includes developments including Bose-Einstein condensation and critical phenomena. Suitable for both undergraduates and graduates in physics and astronomy. A solutions manual is also available (ISBN 0521 658608).