Statistical Mechanics

Statistical Mechanics discusses the fundamental concepts involved in understanding the physical properties of matter in bulk on the basis of the dynamical behavior of its microscopic constituents. The book emphasizes the equilibrium states of physical systems. The text first details the statistical basis of thermodynamics, and then proceeds to discussing the elements of ensemble theory. The next two chapters cover the canonical and grand canonical ensemble. Chapter 5 deals with the formulation of quantum statistics, while Chapter 6 talks about the theory of simple gases. Chapters 7 and 8 examine the ideal Bose and Fermi systems. In the next three chapters, the book covers the statistical mechanics of interacting systems, which includes the method of cluster expansions, pseudopotentials, and quantized fields. Chapter 12 discusses the theory of phase transitions, while Chapter 13 discusses fluctuations. The book will be of great use to researchers and practitioners from wide array of disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, and engineering.

This book is an introductory textbook to statistical mechanics that carefully develops new concepts and ideas from basic assumptions and established results. Written for university students in physics and engineering, the prerequisites are mathematics courses on analysis and linear algebra, as well as physics courses on classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics. The first two chapters cover basic probability theory, Markov processes, and classical mechanics. The next three chapters cover ensemble theory with applications to spin systems, lattice vibrations, and black-body radiation. This is followed by a chapter devoted to quantum statistical mechanics and the derivation of the Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distribution functions. The theory is applied to understand the fascinating white dwarfs, semiconductors, and the quark-gluon plasma. The book is equipped with an appendix that covers useful mathematical material. Each chapter contains a number of exercises that are helpful in understanding the concepts.

This concise introduction is geared toward those concerned with solid state or low temperature physics. It presents the principles with simplicity and clarity, reviewing issues of critical interest. 1963 edition.

This is a unique and exciting graduate and advanced undergraduate text written by a highly respected physicist who had made significant contributions to the subject. This book conveys to the reader that statistical mechanics is a growing and lively subject. It deals with many modern topics from a physics standpoint in a very physical way. Particular emphasis is given to the fundamental assumption of statistical mechanics S=1n and its logical foundation. Calculational rules are derived without resorting to abstract ensemble theory.

The canonical ensemble - Other ensembles and fluctuations - Boltzmann statistics, fermi-dirac statistics, and bose-einstein statistics - Ideal monatomic gas - Ideal diatomic - Classical statistical mechanics - Ideal polyatomic - Chemical equilibrium - Quantum statistics - Crystals - Imperfect gases - Distribution functions in classical monatomic liquids - Perturbation theories of liquids - Solutions of strong electrolytes - Kinetic theory of gases and molecular collisions - Continuum mechanics - Kinetic theory of-gases and the boltzmann equation - Transport processes in dilute gases - Theory of brownian motion - The time-correlation function formalism.

In a simple and accessible form, this book presents a unified approach to the physics of the liquid state, both in and out of equilibrium. It discerns, behind the seemingly anarchistic proliferation of phenomena observable in the liquid state, the sequence of causes and effects and, where appropriate, the underlying rules that preside over the general principles. The book begins by introducing the fundamental concepts of statistical mechanics, such as classical and quantum mechanics, probability theory, and the kinetic theory of gases, before moving on to discuss theoretical methods in order to contextualise the study of liquids. The last final section is devoted to ordering in complex fluids. It includes detailed technical notes and explicit calculations, and will appeal to graduate students in physics and chemistry. It will also be of interest the reader interested in statistical mechanics and their application to the physics of dense matter. This book will certainly become an indispensable reference for students and researchers who wish to become familiar with a multifaceted process looking towards new horizons.

This book provides a comprehensive exposition of the theory of equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics at a level suitable for well-prepared undergraduate students. The fundamental message of the book is that all results in equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics follow from a single unprovable axiom — namely, the principle of equal a priori probabilities — combined with elementary probability theory, elementary classical mechanics, and elementary quantum mechanics.

A self-contained, mathematical introduction to the driving ideas in equilibrium statistical mechanics, studying important models in detail.