Description
Thermal physics deals with collections of large numbers of particles – typically 10 to the 23rd power or so. Examples include the air in a balloon, the water in a lake, the electrons in a chunk of metal, and the photons given off by the sun. We can’t possibly follow every detail of the motions
of so many particles. So in thermal physics we assume that these motions are random, and we use the laws of probability to predict how the material as a whole ought to behave. Alternatively, we can measure the bulk properties of a material, and from these infer something about the particles it is
made of.
This book will give you a working understanding of thermal physics, assuming that you have already studied introductory physics and calculus. You will learn to apply the general laws of energy and entropy to engines, refrigerators, chemical reactions, phase transformations, and mixtures. You will
also learn to use basic quantum physics and powerful statistical methods to predict in detail how temperature affects molecular speeds, vibrations of solids, electrical and magnetic behaviors, emission of light, and exotic low-temperature phenomena. The problems and worked examples explore
applications not just within physics but also to engineering, chemistry, biology, geology, atmospheric science, astrophysics, cosmology, and everyday life.
I received the book on time. It was in excellent condition – still in the plastic wrap.
Great book for a terrifying class
Very readable text! Problems are great
Very descriptive
This is a review of the book construction itself. Schroeder’s book is great, but the current printings (yes, the main hardcover edition, ISBN 9780201380279) are suffering from sub-par printing quality. Older printings used a high quality glossy paper. The current printings use a thicker matte paper, adding bulk to the book as a whole. The binding of current printings is glued (like a paperback) rather than using stitched signatures. It’s effectively a paperback with boards glued on. The printing itself is extremely low resolution, as if printed on a low-quality inkjet printer. In recent years, it appears that the major textbook publishers are intentionally sabotaging print editions of their books, in hopes that people will switch to e-books. What a shame, Pearson.