Statistical and Thermal Physics

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)

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)

A completely revised edition that combines a comprehensive coverage of statistical and thermal physics with enhanced computational tools, accessibility, and active learning activities to meet the needs of today's students and educators This revised and expanded edition of Statistical and Thermal Physics introduces students to the essential ideas and techniques used in many areas of contemporary physics. Ready-to-run programs help make the many abstract concepts concrete. The text requires only a background in introductory mechanics and some basic ideas of quantum theory, discussing material typically found in undergraduate texts as well as topics such as fluids, critical phenomena, and computational techniques, which serve as a natural bridge to graduate study. Completely revised to be more accessible to students Encourages active reading with guided problems tied to the text Updated open source programs available in Java, Python, and JavaScript Integrates Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations and other numerical techniques Self-contained introductions to thermodynamics and probability, including Bayes' theorem A fuller discussion of magnetism and the Ising model than other undergraduate texts Treats ideal classical and quantum gases within a uniform framework Features a new chapter on transport coefficients and linear response theory Draws on findings from contemporary research Solutions manual (available only to instructors)

A completely revised edition that combines a comprehensive coverage of statistical and thermal physics with enhanced computational tools, accessibility, and active learning activities to meet the needs of today's students and educators This revised and expanded edition of Statistical and Thermal Physics introduces students to the essential ideas and techniques used in many areas of contemporary physics. Ready-to-run programs help make the many abstract concepts concrete. The text requires only a background in introductory mechanics and some basic ideas of quantum theory, discussing material typically found in undergraduate texts as well as topics such as fluids, critical phenomena, and computational techniques, which serve as a natural bridge to graduate study. Completely revised to be more accessible to students Encourages active reading with guided problems tied to the text Updated open source programs available in Java, Python, and JavaScript Integrates Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations and other numerical techniques Self-contained introductions to thermodynamics and probability, including Bayes' theorem A fuller discussion of magnetism and the Ising model than other undergraduate texts Treats ideal classical and quantum gases within a uniform framework Features a new chapter on transport coefficients and linear response theory Draws on findings from contemporary research Solutions manual (available only to instructors)