Concepts in Thermal Physics 2nd Edition Thermal PhysicsĬONGRATULATIONS TO HERBERT KROEMER, 2000 NOBEL LAUREATE FOR PHYSICS For upper-division courses in thermodynamics or statistical mechanics, Kittel and Kroemer offers a modern approach to thermal physics that is based on the idea that all physical systems can be described in terms of their discrete quantum states, rather than drawing on 19th-century classical mechanics concepts. He is author of several textbooks and the popular science book, Commonly Asked Questions in Physics. Andrew Rex is professor of physics at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Anyone needing to acquire an intuitive understanding of thermodynamics from first principles will find this third edition indispensable. It also includes more problems and essential updates, such as discussions on superconductivity, magnetism, Bose-Einstein condensation, and climate change. While maintaining the style of the original work, the book now covers statistical mechanics and incorporates worked examples systematically throughout the text. This fully updated and expanded new edition continues to provide the most readable, concise, and easy-to-follow introduction to thermal physics. Thermal PhysicsĮxercise problems in each chapter. The key concepts are presented and new ideas are illustrated with worked examples as well as description of the historical background to their discovery. This text provides a modern introduction to the main principles of thermal physics, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
Integrates Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations as well as other numerical techniques throughout the text Provides self-contained introductions to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics Discusses probability concepts and methods in detail Contains ideas and methods from contemporary research Includes advanced chapters that provide a natural bridge to graduate study Features more than 400 problems Programs are open source and available in an executable cross-platform format Solutions manual (available only to teachers) Concepts in Thermal Physics Advanced chapters on fluids and critical phenomena are appropriate for motivated undergraduates and beginning graduate students. Magnetism and the Ising model are considered in greater depth than in most undergraduate texts, and ideal quantum gases are treated within a uniform framework. Probability concepts and techniques are introduced, including topics that are useful for understanding how probability and statistics are used. Unlike many contemporary texts on thermal physics, this book presents thermodynamic reasoning as an independent way of thinking about macroscopic systems.
Statistical and Thermal Physics begins with a qualitative discussion of the relation between the macroscopic and microscopic worlds and incorporates computer simulations throughout the book to provide concrete examples of important conceptual ideas.
The authors each have more than thirty years' experience in teaching, curriculum development, and research in statistical and computational physics.
This textbook carefully develops the main ideas and techniques of statistical and thermal physics and is intended for upper-level undergraduate courses. Statistical and Thermal Physics - With Computer Applications The book explores applications to engineering, chemistry, biology, geology, atmospheric science, astrophysics, cosmology, and everyday life. This is a textbook for the standard undergraduate-level course in thermal physics.