Statistical Physics

The Manchester Physics Series General Editors: D. J. Sandiford; F. Mandl; A. C. Phillips Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester Properties of Matter B. H. Flowers and E. Mendoza Optics Second Edition F. G. Smith and J. H. Thomson Statistical Physics Second Edition E. Mandl Electromagnetism Second Edition I. S. Grant and W. R. Phillips Statistics R. J. Barlow Solid State Physics Second Edition J. R. Hook and H. E. Hall Quantum Mechanics F. Mandl Particle Physics Second Edition B. R. Martin and G. Shaw The Physics of Stars Second Edition A. C. Phillips Computing for Scientists R. J. Barlow and A. R. Barnett

Statistical Physics, Second Edition develops a unified treatment of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, which emphasises the statistical nature of the laws of thermodynamics and the atomic nature of matter. Prominence is given to the Gibbs distribution, leading to a simple treatment of quantum statistics and of chemical reactions. Undergraduate students of physics and related sciences will find this a stimulating account of the basic physics and its applications. Only an elementary knowledge of kinetic theory and atomic physics, as well as the rudiments of quantum theory, are presupposed for an understanding of this book. Statistical Physics, Second Edition features:

• A fully integrated treatment of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
• A flow diagram allowing topics to be studied in different orders or omitted altogether.
• Optional "starred" and highlighted sections containing more advanced and specialised material for the more ambitious reader.
• Sets of problems at the end of each chapter to help student understanding. Hints for solving the problems are given in an Appendix.

1 The First Law of Thermodynamics

2 The Second Law of Thermodynamics I

3 Paramagnetism

4 The Second Law of Thermodynamics II

5 Simple Thermodynamic Systems

6 The Heat Capacity of Solids

7 The Perfect Classical Gas

8 Phase Equilibria

9 The Perfect Quantal Gas

10 Black Body Radiation

11 Systems With Variable Particle Numbers

A Mathematical Results

B The Density of States

C Magnetic Systems 336

D Hints For Solving Problems 340

Bibliography 374

Index 379

Physical Constants and Conversion Factors inside back cover

General Editors: D. J. SANDIFORD; F. MANDL; A. C. PHILLIPS

Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester

PROPERTIES OF MATTER   B. H. FLOWERS and E. MENDOZA

OPTICS Second Edition   F. G. SMITH and J. H. THOMSON

STATISTICAL PHYSICS Second Edition   F. MANDL

ELECTROMAGNETISM Second Edition   I. S. GRANT and W. R. PHILLIPS

STATISTICS   R. J. BARLOW

SOLID STATE PHYSICS Second Edition   J. R. HOOK and H. E. HALL

QUANTUM MECHANICS   F. MANDL

PARTICLE PHYSICS Second Edition   B. R. MARTIN and G. SHAW

THE PHYSICS OF STARS Second Edition   A. C. PHILLIPS

COMPUTING FOR SCIENTISTS   R. J. BARLOW and A. R. BARNETT

THE MANCHESTER PHYSICS SERIES

Statistical Physics, Second Edition develops a unified treatment of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, which emphasises the statistical nature of the laws of thermo-dynamics and the atomic nature of matter. Prominence is given to the Gibbs distribution, leading to a simple treatment of quantum statistics and of chemical reactions.

Undergraduate students of physics and related sciences will find this a stimulating account of the basic physics and its applications. Only an elementary knowledge of kinetic theory and atomic physics, as well as the rudiments of quantum theory, are presupposed for an under-standing of this book.

Statistical Physics, Second Edition features:

• A fully integrated treatment of thermo-dynamics and statistical mechanics.
• A flow diagram allowing topics to be studied in different orders or omitted altogether.
• Optional “starred” and highlighted sections containing more advanced and specialised material for the more ambitious reader.
• Sets of problems at the end of each chapter to help student understanding. Hints for solving the problems are given in an Appendix.