Introduction To Statistical Mechanics (Paperback)

INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL MECHANICS STUDENTS OF PHYSICS AND PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY BY JAMES EJUJi, M. A., ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL. WITH A FOREWORD BY F. 0. DONNAN, C. B. E., M. A., Ph. D., D. Sc., F. B. S. PROFESSOR OK CHEMISTRY, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON LONDON CONSTABLE COMPANY LTD 1930 First published 1910 PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY THE WH1TEFRIARS PRESS, LTD. LONDON AND TOJNBRIDGK. FOREWORD PHYSICO-CHEMICAL science regards the spatial universe as filled with a vast multitude of moving elements which possess both parfciculate and wave - like characters the wavicles of Eddington. The only way to render this elusive and protean microcosmos amenable to mathematical calculation, and to interpret physical measurement, is to deal in terms of probabilities, to employ the statistical method. The macroscopic world of sense and the measure ments based thereon possess the validity characteristic of the averages of an actuarial estimate. The statistical method is therefore of profound importance. It dominates the whole of modern science. Combined with the generalised principles of dynamics and the quantum theory it has produced statistical mechanics and quantum statistics. These are not special branches of science peculiar to the needs of a few lonely mathematicians. The simple truth is that they constitute the fundamental basis of modern physical science. But another simple truth, though a painful one, is that they involve a severe discipline for the untutored human mind. Fortunately, Professor Rice has now come to tutor our minds and bring consolation to our hearts. This book of his is a first-rate one, for which all serious students ofchemistry and physics will owe him a deep and lasting debt of gratitude. He has explained and expounded the principles of statistical mechanics and quantum statistics with extreme lucidity. In the earlier portions of the book the general principles of probability and statistics are developed and applied to the solution of many important problems. Then the concepts of the quantum theory are introduced, and finally the generalised principles of dynamics. The most recent advances associated with the names of Bose, Einstein, Fermi and Dirac are dealt with in an important appendix. In excellent appendices to many of the chapters the author vi FOREWORD succeeds admirably in removing the mathematical difficul ties inherent in parts of the reasoning. I would particularly and very warmly commend this book to the attention of students of physical chemistry it needs no recommendation to students of physics. Subjects such as chemical equilibria in gas reactions, the specific heats of gases and solids, the entropy of a perfect gas, the Nernst heat theorem, the chemical constants, the theory of the atom, the Einstciri-Smoluchowsky theory of density fluctuations and collision form ula arid chemical kinetics are all fully and clearly explained. Indeed, I will without hesitation make the two following assertions 1 every student of physical chemistry must read the book 2 no student of physical chemistry familiar with the calculus will experience any serious diffi culty in mastering its contents. I make these assertions because I believe this book is destined to exert a great influence on the training of the present generation of chemists and physicists. As the title indicates, Professor Rice has had inview and for that we cannot be too profoundly thankful the needs of chemists as well as physicists. He has certainly succeeded in his object. But he has done so without any slurring over or evasion of difficulties. Throughout the work the treatment is thorough and complete. I would specially commend to the attention of chemists and physicists the two chapters which deal in a most clear and original manner with the second law of thermodynamics...