An Introduction to Thermal Physics
Thermal physics deals with collections of large numbers of particles - typically 10 to the 23rd power or so. Examples include the air in a balloon, the water in a lake, the electrons in a chunk of metal, and the photons given off by the sun. We can't possibly follow every detail of the motions of so many particles. So in thermal physics we assume that these motions are random, and we use the laws of probability to predict how the material as a whole ought to behave. Alternatively, we can measure the bulk properties of a material, and from these infer something about the particles it is made of.

This book will give you a working understanding of thermal physics, assuming that you have already studied introductory physics and calculus. You will learn to apply the general laws of energy and entropy to engines, refrigerators, chemical reactions, phase transformations, and mixtures. You will also learn to use basic quantum physics and powerful statistical methods to predict in detail how temperature affects molecular speeds, vibrations of solids, electrical and magnetic behaviors, emission of light, and exotic low-temperature phenomena. The problems and worked examples explore applications not just within physics but also to engineering, chemistry, biology, geology, atmospheric science, astrophysics, cosmology, and everyday life.
1138281392
An Introduction to Thermal Physics
Thermal physics deals with collections of large numbers of particles - typically 10 to the 23rd power or so. Examples include the air in a balloon, the water in a lake, the electrons in a chunk of metal, and the photons given off by the sun. We can't possibly follow every detail of the motions of so many particles. So in thermal physics we assume that these motions are random, and we use the laws of probability to predict how the material as a whole ought to behave. Alternatively, we can measure the bulk properties of a material, and from these infer something about the particles it is made of.

This book will give you a working understanding of thermal physics, assuming that you have already studied introductory physics and calculus. You will learn to apply the general laws of energy and entropy to engines, refrigerators, chemical reactions, phase transformations, and mixtures. You will also learn to use basic quantum physics and powerful statistical methods to predict in detail how temperature affects molecular speeds, vibrations of solids, electrical and magnetic behaviors, emission of light, and exotic low-temperature phenomena. The problems and worked examples explore applications not just within physics but also to engineering, chemistry, biology, geology, atmospheric science, astrophysics, cosmology, and everyday life.
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An Introduction to Thermal Physics

An Introduction to Thermal Physics

by Daniel V. Schroeder
An Introduction to Thermal Physics

An Introduction to Thermal Physics

by Daniel V. Schroeder

Overview

Thermal physics deals with collections of large numbers of particles - typically 10 to the 23rd power or so. Examples include the air in a balloon, the water in a lake, the electrons in a chunk of metal, and the photons given off by the sun. We can't possibly follow every detail of the motions of so many particles. So in thermal physics we assume that these motions are random, and we use the laws of probability to predict how the material as a whole ought to behave. Alternatively, we can measure the bulk properties of a material, and from these infer something about the particles it is made of.

This book will give you a working understanding of thermal physics, assuming that you have already studied introductory physics and calculus. You will learn to apply the general laws of energy and entropy to engines, refrigerators, chemical reactions, phase transformations, and mixtures. You will also learn to use basic quantum physics and powerful statistical methods to predict in detail how temperature affects molecular speeds, vibrations of solids, electrical and magnetic behaviors, emission of light, and exotic low-temperature phenomena. The problems and worked examples explore applications not just within physics but also to engineering, chemistry, biology, geology, atmospheric science, astrophysics, cosmology, and everyday life.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780192895554
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication date: 02/15/2021
Edition description: 1
Pages: 448
Product dimensions: 9.60(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Daniel V. Schroeder, Professor of Physics, Weber State University

Daniel V. Schroeder is Professor of Physics at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, USA. He earned his PhD in Physics at Stanford University, then taught briefly at Pomona College and Grinnell College before coming to Weber State in 1993. He is the coauthor, with Michael E. Peskin, of An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory. From 2012 through 2016 he served as Associate Editor of the American Journal of Physics.

Table of Contents

PrefacePart I: Fundamentals1. Energy in Thermal Physics2. The Second Law3. Interactions and ImplicationsPart II: Thermodynamics4. Engines and Refrigerators5. Free Energy and Chemical ThermodynamicsPart III: Statistical Mechanics6. Boltzmann Statistics7. Quantum Statistics8. Systems of Interacting ParticlesAppendix A: Elements of Quantum MechanicsAppendix B: Mathematical ResultsSuggested ReadingReference DataIndex
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