The Principles of Statistical Mechanics by richard tolman (1938-07-30) - Hardcover

Tolman, Richard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198512317 ISBN 13: 9780198512318

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1938

Synopsis

PREFACE
In the preparation of this book it has been my hope and purpose to provide an exposition of the underlying principles of statistical mechanics which would give a reasonably clear and complete picture of the additional hypotheses that must be introduced and of the further methods that must be developed, both in the case of the classical and of the quantum mechanics, when it is desired to give appropriate treatment to the behaviour of mechanical systems in states that are less precisely specified than would be theoretically possible. It is even hoped. that the present, book may in some measure meet, from a modern point of view, the same needs for a fundamental exposition as were originally so successfully filled, for the classical mechanics, by the treatment given by Gibbs in his Elementary Principals in Statistical Mechanics. Throughout the book, although the work of earlier investigators will not be neglected, the deeper point of view and the more powerful methods of Gibbs will be taken as ultimately providing the most satisfactory foundation for the development of a modern statistical mechanics.
The present work is in no sense a revision or second edition of my earlier book, Statistical Mechanics with Applications to Physics and Chemistry, a book which was written at a time when the older quantum theory was being replaced by modern quantum mechanics, and a book which is now both out of date and out of print. Applications to actual physical-chemical systems are included in the present book only in so far as is desirable for illustrating the nature of the fundamental principles of statistical mechanics and the methods to be employed in applying them. The needs for a complete account of the manifold applications of statistical mechanics to physics and chemistry should be met for a long time by the exhaustive treatment given by Fowler in the second edition of his Statistical Mechanics.
In writing the book I have received helpful criticisms and suggestions from many physicists and chemists. In particular I must mention my gratitude in this connexion to my colleagues, Professors W. V. Houston, D. \f. Yost, L. C. Pauling, R,. M. Badger, R,. G. Dickinson, J. H. Sturdivant, and E. T. Bell, of the California Institute of Technology, as well as to Professors R. H. Fowler of Cambridge, W. Pauli of Zurich, H. P. Robertson of Princeton, E. Bright Wilson of Harvard, E. H. Kennard of Cornell, and J. T. Hildebrand of California, with all of whom I have discussed one or another or many questions.
Above all, however, I must express my indebtedness to my friend and colleague, Professor J. R. Oppenheimer, of the University of California and of the California Institute, with whom I have completely discussed both specific details and general points of view as the manuscript was being prepared, and from whom I have received both minor suggestions and major enlightenment. This indebtedness to Professor Oppenheimer is so great that it can only be partially repaid by the dedication of the book which he has been willing to accept.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, R. C. T.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1938
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198512317
• ISBN 13: 9780198512318
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 682