An Introduction to Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics

This text presents the two complementary aspects of thermal physics as an integrated theory of the properties of matter. Conceptual understanding is promoted by thorough development of basic concepts. In contrast to many texts, statistical mechanics, including discussion of the required probability theory, is presented first. This provides a statistical foundation for the concept of entropy, which is central to thermal physics. A unique feature of the book is the development of entropy based on Boltzmann's 1877 definition; this avoids contradictions or ad hoc corrections found in other texts. Detailed fundamentals provide a natural grounding for advanced topics, such as black-body radiation and quantum gases. An extensive set of problems (solutions are available for lecturers through the OUP website), many including explicit computations, advance the core content by probing essential concepts. The text is designed for a two-semester undergraduate course but can be adapted for one-semester courses emphasizing either aspect of thermal physics. It is also suitable for graduate study.

1 - Introduction
2 - Classical Ideal Gas
3 - Discrete probability theory
4 - Configurational entropy
5 - Continuous random numbers
6 - Classical ideal gas: Energy
7 - Ideal and "real" gases
8 - T, P, µ, and all that
9 - Postulates and Laws of thermodynamics
10 - Thermodynamic perturbations
11 - Thermodynamic processes
12 - Thermodynamic potentials
13 - Extensivity
14 - Thermodynamic identities
15 - Extremum principles
16 - Stability conditions
17 - Phase transitions
18 - Nernst postulate
19 - Classical ensembles
20 - Classical ensembles: grand and otherwise
21 - Irreversibility
22 - Quantum ensembles
23 - Quantum canoncial ensemble
24 - Black-body radiation
25 - The harmonic solid
26 - Ideal quantum gases
27 - Bose-Einstein statistics
28 - Fermi-Dirac statistics
29 - Insulators and semiconductors
30 - The Ising model

Robert H. Swendsen is Professor of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University, where he works primarily in computational statistical mechanics. Professor Swendsen is a Fellow of both the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was given an IBM Outstanding Achievement Award in 1981 and shared a Forefronts of Large-Scale Computational Problems Award with S. Kumar, J.M. Rosenberg, and P.A. Kollman in 1991.