The Principles of Statistical Mechanics

by Richard C. Tolman

This is the definitive treatise on the fundamentals of statistical mechanics. A concise exposition of classical statistical mechanics is followed by a thorough elucidation of quantum statistical mechanics: postulates, theorems, statistical ensembles, changes in quantum mechanical systems with time, and more. The final two chapters discuss applications of statistical mechanics to thermodynamic behavior. 1930 edition.

Genres: Physics, Science, Textbooks

704 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1938

About the author

Richard Chace Tolman (March 4, 1881 – September 5, 1948) was an American mathematical physicist and physical chemist who was an authority on statistical mechanics. He also made important contributions to theoretical cosmology in the years soon after Einstein's discovery of general relativity. He was a professor of physical chemistry and mathematical physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

Reviews

[Curtis Penner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This very long book is mostly a monument to himself, Richard Tolman. It is an old book, written before WWII. This book is correct in its details and mathematics. It overly focuses on the H-Theorem. Since it is old the mathematical notation is old (no h-bar). The most distracting part is the flow of the book. An example best explains this. Say you are in section 123. He will reference an equation in section 96 as if you have it on the edge of your thinking. It isn't. Too much complex work has happened since section 96. IT DOESN'T WORK.

Tolman has a problem with getting to the point of the discussion or summarizing the section, chapter, or book. I feel as if he was showing off.

This is not a book for instruction. This is not a book for research (even back when it was written). Dover should let this book go and not publish it anymore.

I would not recommend this book to anyone (except the science historians, for their research into pre-WWII physics (maybe)).

[Tue Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated. A modern textbook would serve you better.

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Principles of Statistical Mechanics is divided into three major parts. The first part covers Classical Statistical Mechanics with the Maxwell Boltzmann Distributions being covered among other things. The second part uses Quantum Mechanics to elucidate the subject and make its coverage more accurate. The third and final part discusses Statistical Mechanics as it relates to Thermodynamics.

The book logically builds on itself, but previous knowledge of Greek letters is pretty necessary. My biggest issue was that I would confuse the symbols or forget what φ means. Not to mention the fact that I am bad with Greek letters and kept having to make up names for them. ψ becomes "fork." In any case, I finally looked up the names for Greek Letters and had a bit of an easier time.