Modern Thermodynamics with Statistical Mechanics

Carl S. Helrich (auth.)3540854177

With the aim of presenting thermodynamics in as simple and as unified a form as possible, this textbook starts with an introduction to the first and second laws and then promptly addresses the complete set of the potentials in a subsequent chapter and as a central theme throughout. Before discussing modern laboratory measurements, the book shows that the fundamental quantities sought in the laboratory are those which are required for determining the potentials. Since the subjects of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics are a seamless whole, statistical mechanics is treated as integral part of the text. Other key topics such as irreversibility, the ideas of Ilya Prigogine, chemical reaction rates, equilibrium of heterogeneous systems, and transition-state theory serve to round out this modern treatment. An additional chapter covers quantum statistical mechanics due to active current research in Bose-Einstein condensation. End-of-chapter exercises, chapter summaries, and an appendix reviewing fundamental prerequisites supply students with helpful reinforcement and practice with key concepts.

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Table of contents :
Front Matter….Pages I-XIII
Beginnings….Pages 1-12
Formulation….Pages 13-39
Mathematical Background….Pages 41-54
Thermodynamic Potentials….Pages 55-83
Structure of the Potentials….Pages 85-96
Laboratory Measurements….Pages 97-111
The Third Law….Pages 113-119
Models of Matter….Pages 121-149
Statistical Mechanics….Pages 151-201
Quantum Statistical Mechanics….Pages 203-229
Irreversibility….Pages 231-257
Stability….Pages 259-270
Equilibrium of Chemical Reactions….Pages 271-297
Chemical Kinetics….Pages 299-326
Solutions….Pages 327-339
Heterogeneous Equilibrium….Pages 341-360
Back Matter….Pages 361-402