A highly innovative text with integrated computer solutions
This textbook carefully develops the main ideas and techniques of
statistical and thermal physics and is intended for upper-level
undergraduate courses. The authors each have more than thirty years'
experience in teaching, curriculum development, and research in
statistical and computational physics.
Statistical and Thermal Physics begins with a qualitative discussion
of the relation between the macroscopic and microscopic worlds and
incorporates computer simulations throughout the book to provide
concrete examples of important conceptual ideas. Unlike many
contemporary texts on thermal physics, this book presents thermodynamic
reasoning as an independent way of thinking about macroscopic systems.
Probability concepts and techniques are introduced, including topics
that are useful for understanding how probability and statistics are
used. Magnetism and the Ising model are considered in greater depth than
in most undergraduate texts, and ideal quantum gases are treated within
a uniform framework. Advanced chapters on fluids and critical phenomena
are appropriate for motivated undergraduates and beginning graduate
students.
- Integrates Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations as well as
other numerical techniques throughout the text
- Provides self-contained introductions to thermodynamics and
statistical mechanics
- Discusses probability concepts and methods in detail
- Contains ideas and methods from contemporary research
- Includes advanced chapters that provide a natural bridge to graduate
study
- Features more than 400 problems
- Programs are open source and available in an executable cross-platform
format
- Solutions manual (available only to teachers)
