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Ralph Baierlein

Thermal physics

Thermodynamics is a huge subject, which means that thermodynamics textbooks are often correspondingly huge. In Thermal Physics Ralph Baierlein manages to pack a significant part of the subject into just 400 pages, and what is more does so in a reasonably reader-friendly way, with plenty of illustrations and examples of how thermodynamics links in with everyday life. On the other hand the book does have the usual amount of mathematics for this subject, and it does throw a lot of new ideas at the reader in a short space. Hence I would say that if you are going to use this book as part of your studies then you will need to be prepared to do some work.

The book is aimed at physics and astronomy undergraduates (several of the examples have an astronomical basis), with less emphasis on chemical thermodynamics. Baierlein has lots of experience in teaching thermodynamics at this level, and this is reflected in the clear style in which the book is presented.The book takes a statistical point of view from the start, and quickly introduces the reader to quantum mechanical aspects of thermodynamics, including black-body radiation. The book also looks at low temperature physics, including that of Bose-Einstein condensates, and finishes with a chapter on critical phenomena.

Amazon.com info

Hardcover 456 pages
ISBN: 0521590825
Salesrank: 4376756
Weight:2.14 lbs

Published: 1999 Cambridge University Press

Marketplace::Used from $91.26

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Amazon.co.uk info

Hardcover 456 pages
ISBN: 0521590825
Salesrank: 4442042
Weight:2.14 lbs

Published: 1999 Cambridge University Press

Marketplace::Used from £109.95

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Amazon.ca info

Hardcover 456 pages
ISBN: 0521590825
Salesrank:
Weight:2.14 lbs

Published: 1999 Cambridge University Press

Buy from Amazon.ca

Product Description
Suitable for both undergraduates and graduates, this textbook provides an up-to-date, accessible introduction to thermal physics. The material provides a comprehensive understanding of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetic theory, and has been extensively tested in the classroom by the author who is an experienced teacher. This book begins with a clear review of fundamental ideas and goes on to construct a conceptual foundation of four linked elements: entropy and the Second Law, the canonical probability distribution, the partition function, and the chemical potential. This foundation is used throughout the book to help explain new topics and exciting recent developments such as Bose-Einstein condensation and critical phenomena. The highlighting of key equations, summaries of essential ideas, and an extensive set of problems of varying degrees of difficulty will allow readers to fully grasp both the basic and current aspects of the subject. A solutions manual is available for instructors. This book is an invaluable textbook for students in physics and astronomy.

Product Description

Suitable for both undergraduates and graduates, this textbook provides an up-to-date, accessible introduction to thermal physics. The material provides a comprehensive understanding of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetic theory, and has been extensively tested in the classroom by the author who is an experienced teacher. This book begins with a clear review of fundamental ideas and goes on to construct a conceptual foundation of four linked elements: entropy and the Second Law, the canonical probability distribution, the partition function, and the chemical potential. This foundation is used throughout the book to help explain new topics and exciting recent developments such as Bose-Einstein condensation and critical phenomena. The highlighting of key equations, summaries of essential ideas, and an extensive set of problems of varying degrees of difficulty will allow readers to fully grasp both the basic and current aspects of the subject. A solutions manual is available for instructors. This book is an invaluable textbook for students in physics and astronomy.

WORST TEXTBOOK EVER OWNED! *
The textbook is little to no help when it comes to learning physics. The language is simpler, but it tells you very little about wear equations come from, how they are derived, what the constant values are, and the homework practically leaves you hanging. There are almost no example problems to help you understand actual numerical calculations. Not to mention the Index is completely useless. Even things that the book defines and names are hard to find using the index. I had to use a bunch of tabs to mark where things were. Also, the homework problems are poorly worded. Towards the later chapters, I honestly had the hardest time trying to figure out what the problem was asking for. I learned more online and through wikipedia and other sites than using this book. Also, the overlap in the use of certain variables does not help to comprehend equations and relationships. Simply terrible book. I would not recommend spending that kind of money on this text. I suggest checking the school library or borrowing from a friend or even the professor himself. BTW, don't even try to look for homework help online or even trying to type in keywords from the problem. You aren't going to find anything that is similar to the problems this book asks you to solve. The book physical properties are good. Nice cover finish for a paperback. Pages are solid and well bounded. Thermal Physics

WORST TEXTBOOK EVER OWNED! *

The textbook is little to no help when it comes to learning physics. The language is simpler, but it tells you very little about wear equations come from, how they are derived, what the constant values are, and the homework practically leaves you hanging. There are almost no example problems to help you understand actual numerical calculations. Not to mention the Index is completely useless. Even things that the book defines and names are hard to find using the index. I had to use a bunch of tabs to mark where things were. Also, the homework problems are poorly worded. Towards the later chapters, I honestly had the hardest time trying to figure out what the problem was asking for. I learned more online and through wikipedia and other sites than using this book. Also, the overlap in the use of certain variables does not help to comprehend equations and relationships. Simply terrible book.

I would not recommend spending that kind of money on this text. I suggest checking the school library or borrowing from a friend or even the professor himself. BTW, don't even try to look for homework help online or even trying to type in keywords from the problem. You aren't going to find anything that is similar to the problems this book asks you to solve.

The book physical properties are good. Nice cover finish for a paperback. Pages are solid and well bounded.

Thermal Physics

Awefull Book!!! *
This has been one of the worst book I have every bought!!! You cant really use it if you dont have any previous knowledge of the material... And for those that have to use the book and have no choice because its the class textbook, dont even bother to look for the solutions to the exercises. The book does not come with any solution what so ever to any problem in the book. And dont try to look for it online beacause its RESTRICTED to professors only!!!! There is no help from Cambridge in this matter. They have no sense of helping students achieve better grades or to overcome this difficult course. If you dont have to buy it, DONT, it will not help anyway!!! I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!!!

Awefull Book!!! *

This has been one of the worst book I have every bought!!! You cant really use it if you dont have any previous knowledge of the material... And for those that have to use the book and have no choice because its the class textbook, dont even bother to look for the solutions to the exercises. The book does not come with any solution what so ever to any problem in the book. And dont try to look for it online beacause its RESTRICTED to professors only!!!! There is no help from Cambridge in this matter. They have no sense of helping students achieve better grades or to overcome this difficult course. If you dont have to buy it, DONT, it will not help anyway!!! I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!!!

Thermal Physics *****
This book was very clear and concisely written. It made my understanding of Thermodynamics greater in depth, than any other resource I have used in the pass.

Thermal Physics *****

This book was very clear and concisely written. It made my understanding of Thermodynamics greater in depth, than any other resource I have used in the pass.

Disappointing ***
This textbook on applied statistical mechanics is intended for use by advanced undergraduates in physics and astronomy. The first five chapters (plus chapter 7) are a gloss of basic thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. The rest of the book applies statistical mechanics to various topics: photons and phonons, fermions and bosons, chemical equilibrium, phase equilbrium, etc. The book presumes a familiarity with thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. Because the author presumes a familiarity with many of the concepts that he considers, he sometimes introduces terms and even variables without defining them. What's more objectionable is that throughout the book the author reasons by "handwaving" arguments instead of rigorous logic; that is, he argues that his results are plausible but he doesn't prove them. Although the book is intended for astronomy majors, there is almost no mention of astronomical topics in either the text or the problems. Furthermore, some chapters offer few references for further study. There are better texts on statistical mechanics.

Disappointing ***

This textbook on applied statistical mechanics is intended for use by advanced undergraduates in physics and astronomy. The first five chapters (plus chapter 7) are a gloss of basic thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. The rest of the book applies statistical mechanics to various topics: photons and phonons, fermions and bosons, chemical equilibrium, phase equilbrium, etc.

The book presumes a familiarity with thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. Because the author presumes a familiarity with many of the concepts that he considers, he sometimes introduces terms and even variables without defining them. What's more objectionable is that throughout the book the author reasons by "handwaving" arguments instead of rigorous logic; that is, he argues that his results are plausible but he doesn't prove them. Although the book is intended for astronomy majors, there is almost no mention of astronomical topics in either the text or the problems. Furthermore, some chapters offer few references for further study. There are better texts on statistical mechanics.

Excellent undergraduate text, horrid graduate text! ****
While a nice, non-intimidating introduction to the field with an emphasis on physical insight and "back of the envelope" reasoning, it is NOT suitable as a graduate level text for statistical & thermal physics, contrary to what is stated on the back cover. I would say that if one were to use this and Reif as a combo as an undergraduate, one would get a good picture of the field from both a classic and a well done modern presentation. For graduate studies, by all means look elsewhere. McQuarrie, Kubo, Huang (if need be), heck, digging up the Dover reprints by Hill and Wannier wouldn't be such a bad idea, really.

Excellent undergraduate text, horrid graduate text! ****

While a nice, non-intimidating introduction to the field with an emphasis on physical insight and "back of the envelope" reasoning, it is NOT suitable as a graduate level text for statistical & thermal physics, contrary to what is stated on the back cover. I would say that if one were to use this and Reif as a combo as an undergraduate, one would get a good picture of the field from both a classic and a well done modern presentation.

For graduate studies, by all means look elsewhere. McQuarrie, Kubo, Huang (if need be), heck, digging up the Dover reprints by Hill and Wannier wouldn't be such a bad idea, really.

Well written, accessible and very accurate. *****
When I read "Newton to Einstein - the trail of Light", I was struck by Ralph Baierlein's ability to communicate ideas to an audience. He is obviously a very good teacher and an extraordinary writer. As a Physicist he takes great pains to give in-depth explanations, citing the original works of the Great Scientists, and oftentimes challenging commonly held notions, which, as he shows, are simply unfaithful to the correct scientific theory. Thermal Physics is, in my view, another great work by Professor Baierlein. It is a must for students taking undergraduate courses in Thermodynamics. As a Physics teacher myself I cannot but also recommend it to colleagues who wish to refresh or consolidate their knowledge of the subject. The opening chapters review the key essentials: what we understand by "heating" and "work", heat capacity, the first law of thermodynamics, temperature and the like. Entropy features very early but is one concept, alongside the canonical probability distribution, the partition function and chemical potential, that is central in Baierlein's work and permeates throughout the whole book. The author's analysis of the concept of temperature is perhaps one of the most challenging aspect of this book. Bairlein demonstrates how the idea of temperature is sometimes distorted even by textbook authors. Students and teachers whose present idea of temperature is that it simply is a measure of average translational kinetic energy should acquire a copy of Thermal Physics as soon as possible. As usual Baierlein's book is enriched by a lot of biographical and historical information, that not only provide useful mental breaks for the reader but are, in themselves, a sine qua non for a comprehensive understanding of Thermal Physics.

Well written, accessible and very accurate. *****

When I read "Newton to Einstein - the trail of Light", I was struck by Ralph Baierlein's ability to communicate ideas to an audience. He is obviously a very good teacher and an extraordinary writer. As a Physicist he takes great pains to give in-depth explanations, citing the original works of the Great Scientists, and oftentimes challenging commonly held notions, which, as he shows, are simply unfaithful to the correct scientific theory.

Thermal Physics is, in my view, another great work by Professor Baierlein. It is a must for students taking undergraduate courses in Thermodynamics. As a Physics teacher myself I cannot but also recommend it to colleagues who wish to refresh or consolidate their knowledge of the subject. The opening chapters review the key essentials: what we understand by "heating" and "work", heat capacity, the first law of thermodynamics, temperature and the like. Entropy features very early but is one concept, alongside the canonical probability distribution, the partition function and chemical potential, that is central in Baierlein's work and permeates throughout the whole book.

The author's analysis of the concept of temperature is perhaps one of the most challenging aspect of this book. Bairlein demonstrates how the idea of temperature is sometimes distorted even by textbook authors. Students and teachers whose present idea of temperature is that it simply is a measure of average translational kinetic energy should acquire a copy of Thermal Physics as soon as possible.

As usual Baierlein's book is enriched by a lot of biographical and historical information, that not only provide useful mental breaks for the reader but are, in themselves, a sine qua non for a comprehensive understanding of Thermal Physics.

A brilliant introduction to thermal physics *****
This is by far and away the best book on introductory thermal physics I've read. It is written in plain and clear English and the development of concepts and the required mathematical framework is language-based rather than formula-driven. The first three chapters give a beautifully concise overview of the basic concepts of first-year thermodynamics, with a very clear introduction of the concept of entropy. The highlight of the book is perhaps the development of the chemical potential and the Helmholtz and Gibbs free energies.

A brilliant introduction to thermal physics *****

This is by far and away the best book on introductory thermal physics I've read. It is written in plain and clear English and the development of concepts and the required mathematical framework is language-based rather than formula-driven.

The first three chapters give a beautifully concise overview of the basic concepts of first-year thermodynamics, with a very clear introduction of the concept of entropy. The highlight of the book is perhaps the development of the chemical potential and the Helmholtz and Gibbs free energies.

Best Introduction to Thermal Physics *****
Baierlein gives a great introduction to thermal physics. He emphasizes the how and why and writes in english, i.e. this book is not a collection of formulas. He does a very good job of explaning statistical mechanics, providing insiteful discussions of the Maxwell-Boltzman, Einstein-Bose, Fermi, and canonical distributions. Great description of the chemical potential. Easy to understand discussion of entropy and multiplicity and also of the partial and exact differentials used in thermal physics. IMHO, it is the best introduction to the topic available. A similar book, but not as well written is "Thermal Physics" by Kittel and Kroemer. Of course if you are looking for a reference on Statistical Mechanics, chock full of mathematics, try Reif, Reichl, or Landau.

Best Introduction to Thermal Physics *****

Baierlein gives a great introduction to thermal physics. He emphasizes the how and why and writes in english, i.e. this book is not a collection of formulas.

He does a very good job of explaning statistical mechanics, providing insiteful discussions of the Maxwell-Boltzman, Einstein-Bose, Fermi, and canonical distributions. Great description of the chemical potential. Easy to understand discussion of entropy and multiplicity and also of the partial and exact differentials used in thermal physics.

IMHO, it is the best introduction to the topic available. A similar book, but not as well written is "Thermal Physics" by Kittel and Kroemer. Of course if you are looking for a reference on Statistical Mechanics, chock full of mathematics, try Reif, Reichl, or Landau.

There are better books **
Baierlein is chatty and presents the material in a friendly manner, however too often the material is simply glossed over and the results presented in a purely qualitative manner. In particular, his development of the early quantum theory has gaps in it, or rather, it is presented in a convoluted manner that does more harm than good. Also, the last chapter, on critical phemonena covers a difficult subject in a totally unacceptable manner.

There are better books **

Baierlein is chatty and presents the material in a friendly manner, however too often the material is simply glossed over and the results presented in a purely qualitative manner.

In particular, his development of the early quantum theory has gaps in it, or rather, it is presented in a convoluted manner that does more harm than good.

Also, the last chapter, on critical phemonena covers a difficult subject in a totally unacceptable manner.

Interesting, informative, and not too difficult ****
The writing is not your usual dry textbook writing. There are actually quite a few interesting examples and stories. It is not extremely rigorous either. All necessary information is presented without getting bogged down in unnecessary technical matters. Great for undergrad level.

Interesting, informative, and not too difficult ****

The writing is not your usual dry textbook writing. There are actually quite a few interesting examples and stories. It is not extremely rigorous either. All necessary information is presented without getting bogged down in unnecessary technical matters. Great for undergrad level.