Read more
Zusatztext "[A] remarkable textbook, Statistical and Thermal Physics . . . is sure to rapidly become a classic in this field. As opposed to some textbooks, that expose and develop the two disciplines in tandem, Gould and Tobochnik discuss Thermodynamics first and only then broach the subject of Statistical Mechanics, minimizing the confusion that arises from shifting back and forth between the two main story lines." ---Daniel ben-Avraham, Journal of Statistical Physics Informationen zum Autor Harvey Gould is Professor of Physics at Clark University and Associate Editor of the American Journal of Physics . Jan Tobochnik is the Dow Distinguished Professor of Natural Science at Kalamazoo College and Editor of the American Journal of Physics . They are the coauthors, with Wolfgang Christian, of An Introduction to Computer Simulation Methods: Applications to Physical Systems . Klappentext "In addition to being a clear, comprehensive introduction to the field, this book includes a unique and welcome feature: an emphasis on computer simulations. These are integral to the exposition and provide key insights into fundamental concepts that so often confuse newcomers to the field. Simulations also give students a tool to investigate interesting topics that are normally considered too advanced for undergraduates. I highly recommend this book to anyone planning to teach undergraduate statistical and thermal physics." --Jon Machta, University of Massachusetts Amherst "This is an ambitious book written by two experienced researchers and teachers. Starting from the microscopic dynamics of atoms and molecules, it uses statistical mechanical ideas to explain the thermodynamic behavior of macroscopic systems, and amply illustrates these ideas using hands-on computer simulations. Both teachers and students will find this book stimulating and rewarding." --Joel L. Lebowitz, Rutgers University "Gould and Tobochnik are respected researchers in the field and have a good sense of what is significant. Statistical and Thermal Physics includes many problems, exercises, and enlightening commentaries. The textbook places unique emphasis on numerical simulation techniques and what one can learn from them, and closely integrates them into the presentation. This is a welcome innovation." --Theodore L. Einstein, University of Maryland "This is an excellent book. It is better than any other textbook I have encountered for an undergraduate course in statistical thermodynamics. The authors' use of simulations to build a student's intuition is novel, and the problems and examples are very useful. They bring out the important issues and are a real asset in getting students to think about the subject." --William Klein, Boston University Zusammenfassung Intended for upper-level undergraduate courses, this book discusses the techniques of statistical and thermal physics. It outlines the relation between the macroscopic and microscopic worlds, and presents thermodynamic reasoning as an independent way of thinking about macroscopic systems. It also introduces probability concepts and techniques....
