A Guide to Thermal Physics: from the Fundamentals thru Callen-Level Equilibrium Thermodynamics - Softcover

Chris McMullen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1453772804 ISBN 13: 9781453772805

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2010

Synopsis

AUDIENCE: This thermodynamics textbook is suitable for all students of thermal physics, from the third semester of introductory calculus-based physics thru more advanced coursework in thermodynamics. It provides much greater depth than the coverage of thermal physics in traditional calculus-based physics textbooks, and in this way may be useful to students who are just learning thermal physics. It also provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals and covers both introductory thermal physics (thermal expansion, heat conduction, thermal radiation, ideal gases, and heat engines) and the mathematical formulation of thermodynamics (fundamental relation, Euler and Gibbs-Duhem, thermodynamic potentials, thermodynamic systems, Maxwell relations, and phase transitions) in a more unified way; and in this way may be very helpful to students who are studying undergraduate or graduate level thermodynamics. This textbook also serves as a useful review of thermal physics and thermodynamics for students who have already studied thermodynamics.

CONTENT: The beginning chapters are largely geared toward providing a solid foundation of the fundamental concepts and their relationship with the mathematics. The material from these chapters is intended to serve as a valuable introduction for beginning students and self-learners, and also as a useful review for advanced students. The later chapters grow increasingly in-depth: For example, the treatise of heat conduction discusses the integral in a variety of forms and even compares it to more familiar electrical concepts; the chapter on heat engines derives the Carnot efficiency in general using the entropy change integral, and covers a variety of cycles, including the endoreversible engine; and thermodynamics includes not only the usual thermodynamic square, but also the more general octahedron and cross polytope.

PREREQUISITES: No previous exposure to thermal physics is assumed. The student should be familiar with the techniques of calculus; a brief review of some relevant techniques, such as partial differentiation, is included.

IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS: Boxes of important distinctions are included in order to help students distinguish between similar concepts - like heat, temperature, and internal energy.

TABLE OF EQUATIONS: There is a handy table of equations organized by topic on the back cover of the textbook. This also includes the thermodynamic square.

CONCISE OUTLINE FORMAT: The text is conveniently organized by specific topic to help students who may not be reading straight through, but who may be searching for a specific idea or who may be reviewing material that they read previously. There is also a handy index to help locate concepts quickly. Examples and important notes clearly stand out from discussions of concepts.

MATHEMATICAL & CONCEPTUAL EMPHASIS: There is much emphasis both on learning the mathematics precisely and understanding the concepts at a deep, precise level. An underlying idea is that students should not guess at concepts, but that concepts are mathematically motivated: Let the equations be your guide.

NOTES: Several notes are boxed to describe important points, common mistakes, and exceptions. Hundreds of footnotes are included to discuss subtleties without interrupting the flow of the text.

EXAMPLES: Each chapter includes fully-solved examples to illustrate the main problem-solving strategies.

PRACTICE: The end of each chapter has a good selection of instructive conceptual questions and practice problems.

HINTS & ANSWERS: 100% of the conceptual questions have both hints and answers, since it's crucial to develop a solid understanding of the concepts in order to succeed in physics. Some of the practice problems have answers to help independent students gain confidence by reproducing the same answers, while 100% of the practice problems have hints so that students can see if they are solving the problems correctly.

About this title

From the Author

More math and science books by Chris McMullen, Ph.D.

Physics:

• Essential Calculus-based Physics Study Guide Workbook
• Essential Trig-based Physics Study Guide Workbook
• 100 Instructive Calculus-based Physics Examples
• 100 Instructive Trig-based Physics Examples
• An Advanced Introduction to Calculus-Based Physics
• A Guide to Thermal Physics
• Creative Physics Problems, Volume 1
• Creative Physics Problems, Volume 2

Math workbooks:

• The Improve Your Math Fluency series of math workbooks offers practice with essential math skills in arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percents, algebra, and trigonometry.

Popular science:

• An Introduction to Basic Astronomy Concepts.
• Understand Basic Chemistry Concepts.

The fourth dimension:

• A Visual Guide to Extra Dimensions, Volume 1.
• A Visual Guide to Extra Dimensions, Volume 2.
• A Visual Introduction to the Fourth Dimension.
• Full-Color Illustrations of the Fourth Dimension, Volume 1.
• Full-Color Illustrations of the Fourth Dimension, Volume 2.

About the Author

Dr. Chris McMullen has over 20 years of experience teaching university physics in California, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. Dr. McMullen is also an author of math and science books. Whether in the classroom or as a writer, Dr. McMullen loves sharing knowledge and the art of motivating and engaging students.

He earned his Ph.D. in phenomenological high-energy physics (particle physics) from Oklahoma State University in 2002. Originally from California, Dr. McMullen earned his Master's degree from California State University, Northridge, where his thesis was in the field of electron spin resonance.

As a physics teacher, Dr. McMullen observed that many students lack fluency in fundamental math skills. In an effort to help students of all ages and levels master basic math skills, he published a series of math workbooks on arithmetic, fractions, algebra, and trigonometry called the Improve Your Math Fluency Series. Dr. McMullen has also published a variety of science books, including introductions to basic astronomy and chemistry concepts in addition to physics textbooks.

Dr. McMullen is very passionate about teaching. Many students and observers have been impressed with the transformation that occurs when he walks into the classroom, and the interactive engaged discussions that he leads during class time. Dr. McMullen is well-known for drawing monkeys and using them in his physics examples and problems, applying his creativity to inspire students. A stressed-out student is likely to be told to throw some bananas at monkeys, smile, and think happy physics thoughts.

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1453772804
• ISBN 13: 9781453772805
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 320