A concise introduction to statistical mechanics
Statistical mechanics is one of the most exciting areas of physics
today, and it also has applications to subjects as diverse as economics,
social behavior, algorithmic theory, and evolutionary biology.
Statistical Mechanics in a Nutshell offers the most concise,
self-contained introduction to this rapidly developing field. Requiring
only a background in elementary calculus and elementary mechanics, this
book starts with the basics, introduces the most important developments
in classical statistical mechanics over the last thirty years, and
guides readers to the very threshold of today's cutting-edge research.
Statistical Mechanics in a Nutshell zeroes in on the most relevant and
promising advances in the field, including the theory of phase
transitions, generalized Brownian motion and stochastic dynamics, the
methods underlying Monte Carlo simulations, complex systems--and much,
much more. The essential resource on the subject, this book is the most
up-to-date and accessible introduction available for graduate students
and advanced undergraduates seeking a succinct primer on the core ideas
of statistical mechanics.
- Provides the most concise, self-contained introduction to statistical
mechanics
- Focuses on the most promising advances, not complicated calculations
- Requires only elementary calculus and elementary mechanics
- Guides readers from the basics to the threshold of modern research
- Highlights the broad scope of applications of statistical mechanics
