An Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics

by Terrell L. Hill

Part I deals with principles of quantum statistical mechanics. Part II examines systems composed of independent molecules or other independent subsystems. Part III considers systems of interacting molecules, and Part IV covers quantum statistics and includes sections on Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics, photon gas, and free-volume theories of quantum liquids.

Genres: Science, Physics, Textbooks, Mathematics

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is the case with most of my Dover reprints, this is an old textbook on Statistical Thermodynamics. Some of the language used is a bit different, but the equations are roughly the same as far as I can tell. The book begins with states and entropy, the three main laws of Thermodynamics and so on. The book discloses that it deals with states that have a massive number of elements to them; somewhere around 10^20 particles. This is an astronomical amount.

I have never taken an official course in Thermodynamics or Statistics. As I might have mentioned in prior reviews of mathematical books I only got up to Calculus 2 and I never passed it to my satisfaction. This book throws you into the thick of things right away. As is mentioned in the preface, the author expected you to have studied Thermodynamics, Calculus, Elementary Differential Equations, and elementary Quantum Mechanics. That is a heavy dose of mathematics right there.

This seems like a book that I am going to have to revisit for those reasons. Seeing as how I am only really interested in this stuff, I need more of a solid foundation in the basics right now. I would have to actually take a course in order to force myself to devote some time to learning this subject. As I stated, the book doesn’t hold your hand.

The only real problem with the book other than its difficulty is the fact that it uses old notation rather than SI units. It is interesting to see Boltzmann’s Constant in ergs. This isn’t a massive problem if you are in any way skilled at swapping units around it just comes across as a slight chore.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't mean to be dramatic but this book makes me want to die. P.S. F u Ronis

[Kamlesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book

[MaryC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a nice introduction to Stat Mech.

[Malcolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great complement to D.A. McQuarrie Statistical Thermodynamics.

[Eggplant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I prefer Pathria's.