Statistical Mechanics for Physicists and Mathematicians
Statistical Mechanics for Physicists and Mathematicians
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USDStatistical mechanics employs the power of probability theory to shine a light upon the invisible world of matter's fundamental constituents, allowing us to accurately model the macroscopic physical properties of large ensembles of microscopic particles. This book delves into the conceptual and mathematical foundations of statistical mechanics to enhance understanding of complex physical systems and thermodynamic phenomena, whilst also providing a solid mathematical basis for further study and research in this important field. Readers will embark on a journey through important historical experiments in statistical physics and thermodynamics, exploring their intersection with modern applications, such as the thermodynamics of stars and the entropy associated with the mixing of two substances. An invaluable resource for students and researchers in physics and mathematics, this text provides numerous worked examples and exercises with full solutions, reinforcing key theoretical concepts and offering readers deeper insight into how these powerful tools are applied.
- Step-by-step exposition of key topics, with worked examples to support each important theoretical concept introduced
- Covers several more advanced topics including fermions and bosons, gentile parastatistics in quantum mechanics and quantum-classical equivalence in statistical mechanics
- Written in an engaging and accessible style, this book offers end-of-chapter exercises along with 48 additional warm-up exercises. Solutions to all exercises are provided at the end of the book for further practice, making it an invaluable resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students
- Each chapter includes appended sections exploring more advanced topics of interest in current research, for example: Tsallis' entropy, solutions to Liouville's equation and the chemical potential for a photon gas
Reviews & endorsements
‘This is a book for physics students who want to see a more rigorous mathematical description of Statistical Mechanics, and for mathematics students who wish to understand the physical implications of its mathematical framework. The book bridges a gap between the two subjects and is written clearly and engagingly.’ Daan Frenkel, University of Cambridge
‘The book is an interesting introduction to Statistical Mechanics and an excellent read for the mathematically inclined. The author is to be admired for the thoroughness of his treatment of the mathematical foundation of the field, and the book will be most useful for students and lecturers in physics and mathematics.’ Dick Bedeaux, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Product details
July 2025Adobe eBook Reader
9781009461672
0 pages
Not yet published - available from July 2025
Table of Contents
- Preface
- List of mathematical symbols
- 1. What is statistical mechanics for?
- 2. Probability theory
- 3. Gibbs statistical mechanics
- 4. Connecting thermodynamics with statistical mechanics
- 5. Quantum statistical mechanics
- 6. Quantum statistical mechanics for systems of identical particles
- 7. Introduction to the thermodynamical and statistical descriptions of phase transitions.
