Fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: Lecture Notes

This book covers the lectures on thermodynamics and statistical mechanics taught by the author to physics undergraduates at Truman State University. The book is divided in two parts. The first part covers equilibrium thermodynamics. Starting with a few simple postulates, the text presents the basics of thermodynamic cycles, engines, absolute temperature, and the second law. These concepts are then used to introduce entropy and thermodynamic potentials, and to study equilibrium, stability and phase transitions. The second part is devoted to equilibrium statistical mechanics. The text treats the foundations of the main three ensembles used in statistical mechanics, illustrating them with simple applications that include classical and quantum ideal gases, quantum models of solids, and simple spin systems. The book can be used for classroom instruction and for self directed study; it has numerous worked examples, and more than four hundred problems and exercises.