Modern Thermodynamics with Statistical Mechanics

ISBN-13: 9783540854173 / Angielski / Twarda / 2008 / 420 str.

Carl S. Helrich

Opis

This textbook presents thermodynamics in as simple and as unified a form as possible. It starts with an introduction to the first and second laws, and then promptly addresses the complete set of the potentials in a subsequent chapter and as a theme throughout.

Recenzje

From the reviews:

"Helrich (physics, Goshen College) is to be commended for managing to cover in this modest volume a wide spectrum of topics ... . his book can be viewed as a self-teaching guide to thermodynamics. The well-thought-out problems at the end of each chapter require in-depth thinking that strengthens students' learning. This book is ideal for physicists and engineering students ... . It also is suitable for graduate students pursuing research in thermodynamics ... . Summing Up: Highly recommended. Libraries serving upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners." (R. N. Laoulache, Choice, Vol. 46 (11), July, 2009)

"Thermodynamics plays a central role in physics, chemistry, biology and medicine. ... The author of the present work had the aim to present modern thermodynamics in an as simple and as unified as possible form. He elected to present statistical mechanics as an integral part of the text. ... Every chapter ends with exercises ... . some of the exercises are intended as vehicles for investigations. ... The work is intended to be used as an introduction to modern thermodynamics and statistical mechanics." (Claudia-Veronika Meister, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1159, 2009)

"Carl Helrich has written a lucid account of the field. His explanations are extremely clear and the book is particularly well structured, beginning as it does with the basic principles and developing from there to a consideration of thermodynamic potentials in terms of surfaces. ... The explanations are clear and the mathematics is well presented. ... an excellent work on which to base a university thermodynamics course. ... the level is appropriate for a moderately mathematically-able undergraduate ... ." (Stephen H. Ashworth, Contemporary Physics, Vol. 52 (1), 2011)

Spis treści

Beginnings.- Formulation.- Mathematical Background.- Thermodynamic Potentials.- Structure of the Potentials.- Laboratory Measurements.- The Third Law.- Models of Matter.- Statistical Mechanics.- Quantum Statistical Mechanics.- Irreversibility.- Stability.- Equilibrium of Chemical Reactions.- Chemical Kinetics.- Solutions.- Heterogeneous Equilibrium.

Blurb

With the aim of presenting thermodynamics in as simple and as unified a form as possible, this textbook starts with an introduction to the first and second laws and then promptly addresses the complete set of the potentials in a subsequent chapter and as a central theme throughout. Before discussing modern laboratory measurements, the book shows that the fundamental quantities sought in the laboratory are those which are required for determining the potentials. Since the subjects of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics are a seamless whole, statistical mechanics is treated as integral part of the text. Other key topics such as irreversibility, the ideas of Ilya Prigogine, chemical reaction rates, equilibrium of heterogeneous systems, and transition-state theory serve to round out this modern treatment. An additional chapter covers quantum statistical mechanics due to active current research in Bose-Einstein condensation. End-of-chapter exercises, chapter summaries, and an appendix reviewing fundamental prerequisites supply students with helpful reinforcement and practice with key concepts.