Statistical Mechanics : An Elementary Outline
Contents: Preface. I. Introduction: 1. Quantum mechanics: elementary notions. 2. Quantum mechanics: illustrations. 3. Statistical mechanics: the first fundamental. 4. The second fundamental postulate: entropy. 5. The programme of statistical mechanics. II. The Quasi-homogeneous (microcanonical) ensemble and its applications: 1. Stirling’s approximation. 2. System of non-interacting spins. 3. Einstein’s theory of crystalline specific heat. 4. Systems of identical particles. 5. State counting for bosons and fermions. 6. The ideal gas. 7. The classical ideal gas: semiclassical state counting. III. The standard and the super-standard (canonical and grand canonical) ensembles: 1. Introducing the standard (canonical) ensemble. 2. Probability distribution in the standard ensemble. 3. Thermodynamic quantities in the standard ensemble. 4. Energy dispersion in the standard ensemble. 5. Statistical mechanics of large systems: recapitulation. 6. The super-standard (grand canonical) ensemble: introduction. 7. Probability distribution in the super-standard ensemble. 8. Thermodynamic functions in the super-standard ensemble. 9. Entropy as ‘Disorder’. IV. Statistical mechanics: simple applications: 1. A single harmonic oscillator at temperature T. 2. A system of distinct non-interacting constituents at temperature T. 3. Semiclassical statistical mechanics in the standard ensemble and applications. 4. The vibrating lattice: specific heat at low temperatures. 5. Black body radiation: Planck’s formula. 6. Paramagnetic susceptibility of solids. 7. Ferromagnetic behaviour and the Ising model. 8. Ideal Fermi and Bose gases in the super-standard ensemble. 9. The ‘Electron gas’ in a conductor. 10. Bose condensation. Index.
"This book presents the basics of statistical mechanics to the beginner, and at the same time develops the subject with well-chosen examples and worked-out problems right up to the point where the student can take up an advanced course with confidence. It is self-contained, and combines thoroughness with lucidity of presentation. Statistical mechanics is developed as applied quantum mechanics, with particular emphasis on exploring the classical limit of what is sometimes referred to as quantum statistical mechanics. It will be useful not only to graduate students of physics, but to students of related disciplines like chemistry, biology, and chemical engineering. With such a wide audience in mind, it includes in the opening chapter a presentation of the basic notions of quantum mechanics. The book contains a number of appendices that will be of interest to the relatively advanced students as well as to specialists."
