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Thermal Physics 0th Edition

by Ralph Baierlein (Author)

4.1 32 ratings

Suitable for both undergraduates and graduates, this textbook provides an up-to-date, accessible introduction to thermal physics. The material provides a comprehensive understanding of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetic theory, and has been extensively tested in the classroom by the author who is an experienced teacher. This book begins with a clear review of fundamental ideas and goes on to construct a conceptual foundation of four linked elements: entropy and the Second Law, the canonical probability distribution, the partition function, and the chemical potential. This foundation is used throughout the book to help explain new topics and exciting recent developments such as Bose-Einstein condensation and critical phenomena. The highlighting of key equations, summaries of essential ideas, and an extensive set of problems of varying degrees of difficulty will allow readers to fully grasp both the basic and current aspects of the subject. A solutions manual is available for instructors. This book is an invaluable textbook for students in physics and astronomy.

ISBN-10

0521590825
ISBN-13

978-0521590822
Edition

0
Publisher

Cambridge University Press
Publication date

July 28, 1999
Language

English
Dimensions

7 x 1 x 10 inches
Print length

456 pages
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Francis Leblanc
27
Paperback
18 offers from $39.19
Daniel V. Schroeder
306
Paperback
43 offers from $22.78

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an excellent book...Baierlein's writing is exceptionally clear....Every quantity is clearly defined, and discussed when any confusion could arise, whether the concept is simple or complex....Baierlein always backs up the equations with explanations in words, and with examples....The organization of topics seems natural and well thought out....certainly among the best possible choices for use in an undergraduate course." American Journal of Physics

"The book, written in instructive form, shows great experience of the author as a teacher. Many examples of different degrees of difficulty either theoretical, experimental, or based on everyday observations, make the book interesting and readable. The author manages to present the complex ideas of thermal physics in a clear and attractive way." Applied Mechanics Reviews

"...written so that students will receive an empirical, intuitive understanding of thermodynamics processes....The book is well written, uses plenty of descriptive material to establish the basic fundamentals, and is supplemented with useful applications." Choice

"This book is a superb introduction to the key concepts of statistical mechanics, thoroughly modern in approach with current topics emphasized as well as basic principles. Baierlein's characteristic clarity of exposition makes the book ideal for self-study as well as for classroom use." H. Eugene Stanley, Boston University

"I enjoyed reading this tremendously. The author has a personal and thoughtful way of introducing and arranging the material. He has succeeded in making many of the difficult concepts more intuitive and more within the grasp of students who have very little background in thermodynamics and thermal physics. In the hands of a skilled teacher, this book would serve very well in its intended role." Journal of Statistical Physics

"...very well written and a pleasure to read...what makes this text stand out is the quality, clarity, and conciseness of the writing." Physics Today

Book Description

This textbook provides a clear, instructive and highly readable introduction to thermal physics.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press; 0 edition (July 28, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 456 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0521590825
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0521590822
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.14 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 1 x 10 inches

Customer Reviews:
4.1 32 ratings

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throssk

Great Introductory Book

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2014

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Hello. I have been studying physics and chemistry for about the last seven years and I am currently a graduate student. I am reading through Baieriein and thoroughly enjoying the book. It does require I think, a bit of a background on waves and oscillations to know exactly what is happening in some of the derivations and an introductory course in chemistry, specifically thermodynamics, helps to recognize how these concepts are put to use. Besides that, the book is straightforward and the text is clear. Baierlein starts with very physically intuitive examples to derive his expressions and express the concepts and then moves to the abstract. The problems in the back, or what I have completed of them, are well thought out and do not ask the read to make great leaps between what is presented in the chapter and what is asked for.

If you need a solid and straightforward introduction to the subject I would definitely recommend this.

2 people found this helpful

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CHEWY

Thermal Physics Book

Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2017

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Great book the author has really great examples and also is quite easy to read. Accompanying a Thermal Physics course this book is definitely helpful and a great tool/ reference.

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Kody

Thermal Physics review

Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2011

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Book has fairly good qualitative descriptions. However the books description and work regarding analytically problem solving is minimal at best. Good for courses that focus on qualitative but bad for courses focusing on the analytic.

3 people found this helpful

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Louis

Easily Readable

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2013

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I had trouble with a quantum book last year due to lacking any real examples. But this book is very nice in providing those examples. Some of the questions in each chapter start to diverge from the book some requiring either to look up values online or to have prior knowledge to something relating to this subject that even a major like myself lacked.

One person found this helpful

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Jon

Great Book!

Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2017

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This was a great book to read, came very quickly and was in good condition. Very informative and helped me learn more about thermal physics.

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Jimmy Wong

WORST TEXTBOOK EVER OWNED!

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2009

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The textbook is little to no help when it comes to learning physics. The language is simpler, but it tells you very little about wear equations come from, how they are derived, what the constant values are, and the homework practically leaves you hanging. There are almost no example problems to help you understand actual numerical calculations. Not to mention the Index is completely useless. Even things that the book defines and names are hard to find using the index. I had to use a bunch of tabs to mark where things were. Also, the homework problems are poorly worded. Towards the later chapters, I honestly had the hardest time trying to figure out what the problem was asking for. I learned more online and through wikipedia and other sites than using this book. Also, the overlap in the use of certain variables does not help to comprehend equations and relationships. Simply terrible book.

I would not recommend spending that kind of money on this text. I suggest checking the school library or borrowing from a friend or even the professor himself. BTW, don't even try to look for homework help online or even trying to type in keywords from the problem. You aren't going to find anything that is similar to the problems this book asks you to solve.

The book physical properties are good. Nice cover finish for a paperback. Pages are solid and well bounded.

Thermal Physics

2 people found this helpful

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Shouvik K. Bhattacharya

A Good Textbook of Statistical Mechanics

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2012

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This is an informative textbook of statistical mechanics. I will be using this one for my GRE preparation as well. Some problems are hard as conception wise, but they are not mathematically challenging.

Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2008

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This book was very clear and concisely written. It made my understanding of Thermodynamics greater in depth, than any other resource I have used in the pass.

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