Statistical Mechanics (McGraw Hill series in advanced chemistry)
| Date: 21 April 2011, 02:41
|
Preface
The statistical mechanics of dilute systems of independent particles at
equilibrium is a subject which is essentially fully developed. The practicing
chemist should be able to apply this theory with assurance and
accuracy to calculate the thermodynamic properties of substances in the
ideal-gas state from molecular structure data.
My first objectives have been to develop this theory in a simple, logical,
and understandable way, and to describe the applications in sufficient
detail, with illustrative problems, so that .the reader can acquire the
desired skill in this elementary part of the subject.
In the latter part of the book, I have tried to give a simple but rigorous
account of the theories of the canonical ensemble and of the grand
ensemhle for treating systems of interacting particles. Several rather
elementary but important examples are then studied, to illustrate the
applications of these general theories. The most prominent and important
manifestation. of .fluctuatlon phenomena for the experimental scientist
is noise. I have therefore included a discussion of this topic in the
chapter on fluctuations. However, I have not included a serious discussion
of practical theories of liquids and dense gases. This is an
important topic in statistical mechanics but it is difficult and complicated.
The theoretical calculations do not as yet give good agreement
with experiment. There are several excellent treatises by experts in
the field, and I prefer to refer the interested student to this literature.
I hope that I have carried the theory of systems of interacting particles
far enough to provide a good foundation for such further study.
In addition, the latter half of the book presents discussions of some
topics-paramagDetism, dielectrics, and ionic solutions-essentially from
the point of view of. the statistical mechanics of independent particlesbut
with at least an· indication of how the theories of the canonical
ensemble and the grand ensemble can be applied when interparticle interactions
· are importa;nt:
This text has developed from my lecture notes for a one-year graduate
course at the California Institute. Many of the students are first-year
graduate students (with an occasional bright senior) who have not had
a serious course in quantum mechanics, although they are usually takmg
such a course simultaneously. I have therefore included a chapter which
is an introductory discussion of the relevant parts of quantum mechanics.
Fortunately, the principles of equilibrium statistical mechanics can be
developed very satisfactorily on the basis of an elementary and unsophisticated
formulation of quantum mechanics...
|
DISCLAIMER:
This site does not store Statistical Mechanics (McGraw Hill series in advanced chemistry) on its server. We only index and link to Statistical Mechanics (McGraw Hill series in advanced chemistry) provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete Statistical Mechanics (McGraw Hill series in advanced chemistry) if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
Comments (0)
All
