"Statistical Thermodynamics" book by Erwin Schrödinger

[SummeryWinter]

There's a dover book called "Statistical Thermodynamics" by Erwin Schrödinger, I have worked through "Concepts in Thermal Physics" by Schroeder and I think Erwin's book blends some of thermodynamics with quantum mechanics so I don't think I'll be able to comprehend it, anyways I just wanted to know if it's a good book in terms of exposition and clarity of the subject matter.

Also, there's another book by Van Ness called "Understanding thermodynamics", is that a good book, again, in terms of exposition and clarity of the subject matter. Are any of the books chemistry-centric?


P.S.- Even though I have not gone through quantum mechanics in a rigorous matter, I have still worked through Halliday and Resnick's "Physics"(both volumes)

 

[Frabjous]

For chemistry centric try
Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics by Smith and Van Ness.

“Understanding thermodynamics” is a series of lectures, i.e., to be used as a supplement not a primary source.

Schrodinger’s book is an advanced text, i.e., one should know some statistical thermodynamics before reading it.

 

[SummeryWinter]

For chemistry centric try
Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics by Smith and Van Ness.

“Understanding thermodynamics” is a series of lectures, i.e., to be used as a supplement not a primary source.

Schrodinger’s book is an advanced text, i.e., one should know some statistical thermodynamics before reading it.

What level is "Understanding thermodynamics" at? Can I as a soon-to-be undergraduate understand it?

 

[Frabjous]

What level is "Understanding thermodynamics" at? Can I as a soon-to-be undergraduate understand it?

Probably.

 

[SummeryWinter]

Probably

I'll see to it then...

 

[SummeryWinter]

Is Erwin's above mentioned book clear in terms of exposition, is it mathematically rigorous, if so what mathematical methods would I need to work through it? How good is it really?

 

[Frabjous]

Why are you focused on it? I would not describe it as a book to strive for. A student focused on statistical mechanics might pick it up in their senior year of college.

 

[Frabjous]

Is Erwin's above mentioned book

By convention, one should refer to it using the author’s last name, i.e., Schrodinger’s book.

 

[SummeryWinter]

By convention, one should refer to it using the author’s last name, i.e., Schrodinger’s book.

Yeah, I was just lazy to type Schrodinger

 

[SummeryWinter]

Why are you focused on it? I would not describe it as a book to strive for. A student focused on statistical mechanics might pick it up in their senior year of college.

I just found it so I wanted to know more about it since it was written by Schrödinger, that's all

 

[gmax137]

For Schrodingers book, Read the Book Overview on amazon. I think it is pretty clear on the nature of this book.

 

[SummeryWinter]

For Schrodingers book, Read the Book Overview on amazon. I think it is pretty clear on the nature of this book.

I have already, I just wanted some more information about whether or not I could handle it yet

 

[SummeryWinter]

There's another dover book called "Atomic Spectra and Atomic Structure" by Gerhard Herzberg, does anyone know how good it is and the prerequisites for it?


P.S.-Sorry if I seem too fixated on books, I just want a change of scenery(figuratively) after working through some sluggish problems.

 

[Frabjous]

There's another dover book called "Atomic Spectra and Atomic Structure" by Gerhard Herzberg, does anyone know how good it is and the prerequisites for it?


P.S.-Sorry if I seem too fixated on books, I just want a change of scenery(figuratively) after working through some sluggish problems.

You should start a new thread. There is no guarantee that a person with knowledge of Herzberg will make it this far into this thread.

It is good, but dated. Today, I would describe it as a specialist’s text.

 

[SummeryWinter]

You should start a new thread. There is no guarantee that a person with knowledge of Herzberg will make it this far into this thread.

It is good, but dated. Today, I would describe it as a specialist’s text.

Yeah, I think I'll start a new thread

 

[Frabjous]

If price is a concern, I would start a thread asking for inexpensive books for a beginner in physics.

 

[Frabjous]

Here’s a good free book that is suitable for your level.
Taylor and Wheeler - Spacetime Physics
https://www.eftaylor.com/spacetimephysics/

 

[SummeryWinter]

Here’s a good free book that is suitable for your level.
Taylor and Wheeler - Spacetime Physics
https://www.eftaylor.com/spacetimephysics/

Oh, I know about this book, it's already been mentioned quite a few times in PF threads as an introductory book to astrophysics and astronomy, I saw a preview and I think I saw a Determinant or something related to linear algebra

 

[Vanadium 50]

Erwin

Doyou know him personally? If not, why are you using his first name?

 

[SummeryWinter]

Doyou know him personally? If not, why are you using his first name?

To answer your first question, no I do not. As for the second question, I am sorry but as I said earlier I was too lazy to type Schrödinger in it's entirety, it's MY MISTAKE


Edit: I'll try to rise above my laziness and use full last names