Statistical Physics

by Franz Mandl

The laws of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics form one of the most fascinating branches of physics, and this text imparts some of this fascination to the student. The rapid growth in scientific knowledge means that an undergraduate physics course can no longer teach the whole of physics. With this in mind Professor Mandl has written a book which allows great flexibility in its use; it enables readers to proceed by the quickest route to a particular topic, and it enables teachers to select courses differing in length, difficulty and choice of applications. The aim of the text is to explain critically the basic laws of statistical physics and to apply them to a wide range of interesting problems. A reader who has mastered this book should have no difficulties with one of the more advanced treatises or with tackling quite realistic problems. Two substantial improvements have been incorporated into this second edition - firstly much greater prominence has been given to the Gibbs distribution, and secondly the treatment of magnetic work has been completely revised. Other changes include clarification of some of the arguments, a general updating of the textual material and a revision of the bibliography.

Genres: Physics, Science, Reference, Textbooks, Nonfiction

385 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now there were a surprising number of bits in this that I not only vaguely remembered from my GCSE and A Level Physics classes but there were also bits that I actually managed to understand and even follow...after which I would quickly get lost again but still, progress! This text is aimed at the undergraduate so it does cover some rather complicated and detailed mechanic and thermodynamic subjects and it definitely helps to have a strong basis in these (I assume it would anyway, since I don't have this I can only assume...).

[Annie Souza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Used for a class. The notation and explanations are confusing, as well as following an odd order for the subject matter. Not the best.

[Ismail Waleed AlFaouri]

To be read in Summer 2016 for self-study.