Statistical Physics I discusses the fundamentals of equilibrium statistical mechanics, focussing on basic physical aspects. No previous knowledge of thermodynamics or the molecular theory of gases is assumed. Illustrative examples based on simple materials and photon systems elucidate the central ideas and methods.

A protein requires its own three-dimensional structure for its biological activity. If a chemical agent is added, the biological activity is lost, and the three-dimensional structure is destroyed to become a random coil state. But when the chemical agent is removed, the biological activity is recovered, implying that the random coil state turns back into the original complex structure spontaneously. This is an astonishing event. "The Physical Foundation of Protein Architecture" is intended to solve this mystery from the physicochemical basis by elucidating the mechanism of various processes...