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Concise Introduction to Statistical Mechanics

Copyright ï³°an> 2011 by Robert Finkel

 
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The basis for this outline is the book Concise Introduction to Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics. Links for purchase are at the bottom of this page. The following is the front matter of the book:

Preface

Here readers find an introduction to statistical mechanics and thermodynamics that is sufficiently simple and free from prior mathematical requirements that it may be understood quickly and comfortably. The features include:

• Readers apply statistical mechanics immediately and progress to the most fundamental topics.

• The format is ideal for self-study or for lectures featuring brief expositions followed by examples and exercises.

• Presents the material needed to reveal the cohesive spine of this beautiful subject.
  
  
• Gives unique intuitive developments of probability distributions, entropy, information, and chemical potentials not found elsewhere.
  
  
• Presented at the undergraduate level but is well-suited for graduate preparation

• Richly illustrated with applications to chemistry, physics, information theory and biology
  
  

Instructors who seek a comprehensive and rigorous treatment of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics must look elsewhere; most texts attempt that exhaustive approach. Here the basic machinery of the subject is presented in intuitive and minimalist fashion.

Occasionally an equation is first presented as a simple recipe and only after its usefulness is recognized is a derivation presented. In spite of my intention to be concise, I often repeat topics in print as I would when lecturing in order to recall or reinforce material. The redundancy also helps to give the chapters a measure of self-containment. Small 孩nders裂topics in algebra and calculus are sprinkled throughout. These can appear condescending to some, but others may find them useful.

I had gratifying success with this treatment and I want it to be available to readers and lecturers who are open to a novel and effective approach.

Robert W. Finkel

New York

Note to Readers

This concise introduction assumes no prior study of thermodynamics or statistics. Readers with a background of one year of undergraduate calculus and one year of chemistry or physics will be adequately prepared. I encourage you to work through most of the exercises as they are designed to be part of the pedagogical fabric of the book.

You will find that you are immersed in the subject from the start by applying the theory and techniques to illustrative problems. The first ten chapters are relatively short and should be sufficient preparation to progress to advanced topics in statistical mechanics. Two longer chapters develop the theory and techniques of classical thermodynamics from a modern viewpoint. The final three chapters present statistical mechanics from the perspective of information theory. This provides the most general view of what we are doing when we do statistical mechanics.

Note to Instructors

This book grew out of my printed lecture notes for a one-semester course in statistical mechanics. My department was puzzled to hear that requests for the notes far outstripped my class enrollment until we learned that students from classes in thermodynamics and physical chemistry were using the notes as supplements. I took this as a microcosm of a need for Concise Introduction to Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics.

I kept the format and flavor of the lecture notes in this book. The result is the antithesis of encyclopedic texts that are written to appease specialists. Here a background of one year of undergraduate calculus and one year of chemistry or physics is sufficient. Readers with more preparation can skip the embedded mathematical assistance. No prior study of thermodynamics is required because the fundamentals are presented as a byproduct of the development of statistical mechanics.

The exercises are designed to be part of the pedagogical fabric of the book and much of my lecture time was spent reviewing these in class. Most of the exercises have answers attached or have solutions written out in full. A model final exam is included.

Topics such as non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, renormalization theory, Monte Carlo methods, Bose-Einstein condensation, and other topics of research interest are simply not addressed in this introduction. I recognize that in adopting this book you put your students쥡rning above your own advanced interests. I applaud your dedication and wish you success.

Get The Book

The list price is $49.95, but it is discounted to $29.95 from this secure link STAT MECH

Copy and paste the following code on the checkout page to receive the $20 discount.

Discount Code: 7JJ5JNTA

We want the book to be affordable and this is the best discount available now. 

You can also find the book on Amazon, Amazon Statistical Mechanics 

The Amazon site lets you "look inside" the book as you would in a bookstore!

Here is the UK version on Amazon uk, Amazon UK Stat MECH

Instructors please email us to request a complimentary copy using your college email account and include a link to your college Web page. finkelr@stjohns.edu

Thank you.