Statistical Physics: Elements of Continuity in German History 1871-1945: 13 (Student Physics Series)

Guenault, Tony

ISBN 10: 0415002591 / ISBN 13: 9780415002592

Editore: Springer, 1988

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Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Statistical Physics: Elements of Continuity in German History 1871-1945: 13 (Student Physics Series)
• Editore: Springer
• Data di pubblicazione: 1988
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0415002591
• ISBN 13: 9780415002592
• Rilegatura: Brossura
• Condizione: Good
• Peso: 180 grammi

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

In this text the author provides a clear introduction to statistical physics, an essential component of any first degree in physics. The treatment itself is self-contained and concentrates on an understanding of the physical ideas, without requiring a high level of mathematical sophistication. A straightforward quantum approach to statistical averaging is adopted from the outset (easier, the author believes, than the classical approach). The initial part of the book is geared towards explaining the equilibrium properties of a simple isolated assembly of particles. Hence several important examples (eg an ideal spin-1/2 solid) can be discussed at an early stage. The treatment of gases gives full coverage to Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics. In the final chapter the student is introduced to a wider viewpoint and so can begin to deal with more advanced concepts. This book should be of interest to second year undergraduate students taking courses in physics, applied physics, electronics and electrical engineering.

Contenuti

1 Basic ideas.- 1.1 The macrostate.- 1.2 Microstates.- 1.3 The averaging postulate.- 1.4 Distributions.- 1.5 The statistical method in outline.- 1.6 A model example.- 1.7 Statistical entropy and microstates.- 2 Distinguishable particles.- 2.1 The thermal equilibrium distribution.- 2.2 What are ? and ??.- 2.3 A statistical definition of temperature.- 2.4 The Boltzmann distribution and the partition function.- 2.5 Calculation of thermodynamic functions.- 3 Two examples.- 3.1 A spin(math) solid.- 3.2 Localized harmonic oscillators.- 4 Gases: The density of states.- 4.1 Fitting waves into boxes.- 4.2 Other information for statistical physics.- 4.3 An example — helium gas.- 5 Gases: The distributions.- 5.1 Distribution in groups.- 5.2 Identical particles-fermions and bosons.- 5.3 Counting microstates for gases.- 5.4 The three distributions.- 6 Maxwell-Boltzmann gases.- 6.1 The validity of the Maxwell-Boltzmann limit.- 6.2 The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of speeds.- 6.3 The connection to thermodynamics.- 7 Diatomic gases.- 7.1 Energy contributions in diatomic gases.- 7.2 Heat capacity of a diatomic gas.- 7.3 The heat capacity of hydrogen.- 8 Fermi-Dirac gases.- 8.1 Properties of an ideal Fermi-Dirac gas.- 8.2 Application to metals.- 8.3 Application to helium-3.- 9 Bose-Einstein Gases.- 9.1 Properties of an ideal Bose-Einstein gas.- 9.2 Application to helium-4.- 9.3 Phoney bosons.- 10 Entropy in other situations.- 10.1 Entropy and disorder.- 10.2 An assembly at fixed temperature.- 10.3 Vacancies in solids.- 11 Phase transitions.- 11.1 Types of phase transition.- 11.2 Ferromagnetism of a spin-½ solid.- 11.3 Real ferromagnetic materials.- 11.4 Order-disorder transformations in alloys.- 12 Two new ideas.- 12.1 Statics or dynamics?.- 12.2 Ensembles-a larger view.- Appendix 1 Some elementary counting problems.- Appendix 2 Some problems with large numbers.- Appendix 3 Some useful integrals.- Appendix 4 Some useful constants.- Appendix 5 Questions.- Appendix 6 Answers to questions.