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424 pages, Academic Press, London, 2002
ISBN 0-12-066321-X
Library of Congress 2002103392
The cover shows
a statistical configuration of a lattice gas , (upper right),
and a thermodynamic subsytem of a reservoir, (lower left),
unified by maximum entropy, (curves).
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Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Equilibrium by Entropy Maximisation
Phil Attard
From the cover:
This book proceeds from a unified treatment
of the foundations of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics
and builds to advanced applications.
It provides a comprehensive and self-contained reference manual
for the modern mathematical and computational techniques
of classical equilibrium statistical mechanics,
with the focus primarily on liquids and disordered systems.
First principles derivations are given for formally exact results
and for diagrammatic and asymptotic expansions.
Integral equation and density functional methods are covered in detail,
with a novel maximum entropy interpretation offered for the latter.
Applications to bulk fluids, and comprehensive treatments of
inhomogeneous and Coulomb systems are given.
Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulation techniques are also covered,
including some recently developed algorithms.
The book is characterised by lucid explanations and pedagogic presentation,
which is combined with a logical organisation of the material
and transparent mathematical derivations.
Simple graphs and figures illustrate the text throughout,
and a list of key points concludes each chapter.
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
will be an invaluable aid to research scientists
who want an up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of these fields.
Upper level undergaduate students, graduate students studying for
a PhD or MSc,
and lecturers in physical chemistry,
theoretical chemistry,
chemical engineering, or physics
will also find the book an excellent reference
with a fresh approach that offers a new perspective
on these classical disciplines.
Contents
Preface
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