Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Synopsis of Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

This book, written by physicist Peter T. Landsberg, is an innovative work that combines precise mathematical style with strong physical intuition. Aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students, it covers a broad spectrum of applications, including negative temperatures and heat capacities, general and special relativistic effects, black hole thermodynamics, gravitational collapse, energy conversion problems, and efficiencies, including simple heat pump theory. The basic ideas and mathematical formulation of thermodynamics are presented in a modern, clear way with the Carathéodory method. Statistical mechanics are based on ideas from information theory, and the simpler ideal systems are covered in close connection with the thermodynamic treatment. Mathematical steps are displayed in detail, and abundant problems include worked solutions.