Statistical Thermodynamics: Fundamentals and Applications by Normand M. Laurende

Publisher Description

This 2006 textbook discusses the fundamentals and applications of statistical thermodynamics for beginning graduate students in the physical and engineering sciences. Building on the prototypical Maxwell–Boltzmann method and maintaining a step-by-step development of the subject, this book assumes the reader has no previous exposure to statistics, quantum mechanics or spectroscopy. The book begins with the essentials of statistical thermodynamics, pauses to recover needed knowledge from quantum mechanics and spectroscopy, and then moves on to applications involving ideal gases, the solid state and radiation. A full introduction to kinetic theory is provided, including its applications to transport phenomena and chemical kinetics. A highlight of the textbook is its discussion of modern applications, such as laser-based diagnostics. The book concludes with a thorough presentation of the ensemble method, featuring its use for real gases. Numerous examples and prompted homework problems enrich the text.

Author Biography

Normand M. Laurendeau is the Ralph and Bettye Bailey Professor of Combustion at Purdue University. He teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of thermodynamics, combustion and engineering ethics. He conducts research in the combustion sciences, with particular emphasis on laser diagnostics, pollutant formation and flame structure. Dr Laurendeau is well known for his pioneering research on the development and application of both nanosecond and picosecond laser-induced fluorescence strategies to quantitative species concentration measurements in laminar and turbulent flames. He has authored or coauthored over 150 publications in the archival scientific and engineering literature. Professor Laurendeau is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for the peer-reviewed journal Combustion Science and Technology.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; Part I. Fundamentals of Statistical Thermodynamics: 2. Probability and statistics; Problem set I. Probability theory and statistical mathematics; 3. The statistics of independent particles; 4. Thermodynamics properties in the dilute limit; Problem set II. Statistical modeling for thermodynamics; Part II. Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy: 5. Basics of quantum mechanics; 6. Quantum analysis of internal energy modes; 7. The spectroscopy of diatomic molecules; Problem set III. Quantum mechanics and spectroscopy; Part III. Statistical Thermodynamics in the Dilute Limit: 8. Interlude: from particle to assembly; 9. Thermodynamic properties of the ideal gas; Problem set IV. Thermodynamic properties of the ideal gas; 10. Statistical thermodynamics for ideal gas mixtures; 11. Concentration and temperature measurements; Problem set V. Chemical equilibrium and diagnostics; Part IV. Statistical Thermodynamics beyond the Dilute Limit: 12. Thermodynamics and information; 13. Elements of the solid state; 14. Equilibrium radiation; Problem set VI. The solid state and radiation; Part V. Non-Equilibrium Statistical Thermodynamics: 15. Elementary kinetic theory; 16. Kinetics of molecular transport; 17. Chemical kinetics; Problem set VII. Kinetic theory and molecular transport; Part VI. The Ensemble Method of Statistical Thermodynamics: 18. The canonical and grand canonical ensembles; 19. Applications of ensemble theory to real gases; Problem set VIII. Ensemble theory and the non-ideal gas; 20. Whence and whither; Part VII. Appendices; Index.

Review

'… presents a general and complete overview of statistical thermodynamics mainly for beginners or engineers, linking this science to quantum mechanics and to classical thermodynamics … Throughout the whole book, the author presents many figures which illustrate the concepts he introduces. He draws the computations with precise details and illustrates these computations with their physical background.' Alain Brillard, Zentralblatt MATH

Promotional

This 2006 textbook discusses the fundamentals and applications of statistical thermodynamics for beginning graduate students in engineering and the physical sciences.

Review Quote

'… presents a general and complete overview of statistical thermodynamics mainly for beginners or engineers, linking this science to quantum mechanics and to classical thermodynamics … Throughout the whole book, the author presents many figures which illustrate the concepts he introduces. He draws the computations with precise details and illustrates these computations with their physical background.' Alain Brillard, Zentralblatt MATH

Promotional "Headline"

This 2006 textbook discusses the fundamentals and applications of statistical thermodynamics for beginning graduate students in engineering and the physical sciences.

Description for Bookstore

This 2006 textbook discusses the fundamentals and applications of statistical thermodynamics for beginning graduate students in the physical and engineering sciences. It features a step-by-step development of the subject assuming that the reader has no previous exposure to statistics, quantum mechanics or spectroscopy. Numerous examples and prompted homework problems enrich the text.

Description for Library

This 2006 textbook discusses the fundamentals and applications of statistical thermodynamics for beginning graduate students in the physical and engineering sciences. It features a step-by-step development of the subject assuming that the reader has no previous exposure to statistics, quantum mechanics or spectroscopy. Numerous examples and prompted homework problems enrich the text.

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