Best Books on Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics

[YotaYota]

Hi.

I'm reading my third year of a Swedish engineering degree and we are about to read Statistical Mechanics. The scope of this course is Thermodynamics (although we have already had a small course in it), Statistical Mechanics and some Quantum statistics.
The course book is "Concepts in Thermal Physics" (2nd) by Blundell : https://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Thermal-Physics-2nd-Second/dp/B004Y41264/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350887012&sr=1-3&keywords=Concepts+in+Thermal+Physics+2nd.
However, I find myself regretting buying most of my textbooks, that's why I'm posting here now :)
My question is: Are there any really good textbooks on these subjects? They need not cover all the subjects in this course, I'm more interested in buying books that is fun to have in my bookshelf even after the course. What I'm really asking is: what the 'bibles' on these subjects are.

Thankful for any help!
Johannes

 

[E_M_C]

Hi Johannes,

I've previewed the "Concepts in Thermal Physics" textbook on google books, and it seems to be a good introductory book to learn from. My only concern is the small number of exercises at the end of each chapter.

I'm not completely certain what books would constitute a "Bible" on Stat Mech, but some of the more widely used textbooks here in the US are Kittel & Kromer's Thermal Physics and Schroeder's Thermal Physics (to name just a few). I personally don't believe these books are suitable for an introduction to Stat Mech. If you're new to the subject, I'd recommend Stowe's An Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics and/or Seddon and Gale's Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. Hope that helps, good luck!

 

[cragar]

An Introduction to Thermal Physics by Daniel V. Schroeder is a good thermal book

 

[Michael Monte]

An Introduction to Thermal Physics by Daniel V. Schroeder is a good thermal book

this is indeed a very good book. I used it before in my lectures about statistically thermo

 

[rezeew]

I can definitely understand your desire to have good textbooks on thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. These are fundamental subjects in physics and engineering, and having a solid understanding of them is crucial for any scientist or engineer.

The book you mentioned, "Concepts in Thermal Physics" by Blundell, is a well-regarded textbook in the field and covers the basics of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. However, if you are looking for additional resources or different perspectives on these subjects, there are definitely other options available. Here are a few suggestions for books that are highly recommended by scientists and engineers in the field:

1. "Thermodynamics" by Enrico Fermi - This classic textbook is considered by many to be the "bible" of thermodynamics. It covers the subject in a clear and concise manner, with a focus on the fundamental principles and their applications.

2. "An Introduction to Thermal Physics" by Daniel Schroeder - This textbook is known for its accessible writing style and use of real-world examples to explain difficult concepts. It also includes a good balance of theory and practical applications.

3. "Statistical Mechanics" by R.K. Pathria - This book is considered to be the standard text on statistical mechanics. It covers a wide range of topics in detail, with a focus on both classical and quantum systems.

There are also many other great textbooks and resources available, and it ultimately depends on your personal learning style and the specific topics you are interested in. I would recommend looking at reviews and recommendations from other students and professionals in the field to find the best fit for you. Good luck with your studies!