Thermal physics
Subtitle: concepts and practice
By: Allen L. Wasserman
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
ISBN-13: 9781107006492
Subjects: Thermodynamics; SCIENCE / Physics; Entropy; Statistical mechanics
Description: "Thermodynamics has benefited from nearly 100 years of parallel development with quantum mechanics. As a result, thermal physics has been considerably enriched in concepts, technique and purpose, and now has a dominant role in the developments of physics, chemistry and biology. This unique book explores the meaning and application of these developments using quantum theory as the starting point. The book links thermal physics and quantum mechanics in a natural way. Concepts are combined with interesting examples, and entire chapters are dedicated to applying the principles to familiar, practical and unusual situations. Together with end-of-chapter exercises, this book gives advanced undergraduate and graduate students a modern perception and appreciation for this remarkable subject"--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Machine generated contents note: 1. Introducing thermodynamics; 2. Onward to thermodynamics; 3. The First Law; 4. A mathematical digression; 5. Thermodynamics potentials; 6. On knowing the unknowable; 7. The ideal gas; 8. The 2-level system; 9. Lattice heat capacity; 10. Elastomers - entropy springs; 11. Thermodynamics of magnetism; 12. Open systems; 13. The amazing chemical potential; 14. Thermodynamics of radiation; 15. Ideal Fermi gas; 16. Ideal Bose-Einstein system; 17. Thermodynamics and the CMB; Appendices; Index.