The Manchester Physics Series General Editors: D. J. Sandiford; F.Mandl; A. C. Phillips Department of Physics and Astronomy,University of Manchester Properties of Matter B. H. Flowers and E.Mendoza Optics Second Edition F. G. Smith and J. H. ThomsonStatistical Physics Second Edition E. Mandl Electromagnetism SecondEdition I. S. Grant and W. R. Phillips Statistics R. J. BarlowSolid State Physics Second Edition J. R. Hook and H. E. HallQuantum Mechanics F. Mandl Particle Physics Second Edition B. R.Martin and G. Shaw The Physics of Stars Second Edition A. C.Phillips Computing for Scientists R. J. Barlow and A. R. BarnettStatistical Physics, Second Edition develops a unified treatment ofstatistical mechanics and thermodynamics, which emphasises thestatistical nature of the laws of thermodynamics and the atomicnature of matter. Prominence is given to the Gibbs distribution,leading to a simple treatment of quantum statistics and of chemicalreactions. Undergraduate students of physics and related scienceswill find this a stimulating account of the basic physics and itsapplications. Only an elementary knowledge of kinetic theory andatomic physics, as well as the rudiments of quantum theory, arepresupposed for an understanding of this book. Statistical Physics,Second Edition features:
- A fully integrated treatment of thermodynamics and statisticalmechanics.
- A flow diagram allowing topics to be studied in differentorders or omitted altogether.
- Optional "starred" and highlighted sections containing moreadvanced and specialised material for the more ambitiousreader.
- Sets of problems at the end of each chapter to help studentunderstanding. Hints for solving the problems are given in anAppendix.