Statistical Mechanics by Shang-Keng Ma (PDF)

Description

This is a unique and exciting graduate and advanced undergraduate text written by a highly respected physicist who had made significant contributions to the subject. This book conveys to the reader that statistical mechanics is a growing and lively subject. It deals with many modern topics from a physics standpoint in a very physical way. Particular emphasis is given to the fundamental assumption of statistical mechanics S=1n and its logical foundation. Calculational rules are derived without resorting to abstract ensemble theory.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐One of the best books about statistical mechanics ever written. The style, typical of Chinese high society, consists of very straightforward statements, followed by a neat logical explanation. Statistical mechanics is a difficult subject. This is to my advise the best book to study it from.The target audience of this book are graduate students with basic physics knowledge. Easy to read, yet extremely rigorous.I put 4 stars as the quality of the printing is well below expectations.

⭐If you are reading this review, you probably already know that this book is an outstanding text on statistical mechanics. It is advanced, thorough, thought provoking, and will make you a pro once you manage to go through the whole thing.That said, you must be aware that the book being sold as new is a mediocre digital reprint that roughly amounts to a laser printing of the scanned originals, in a poor paper with faint typography that tires the eyes and a pathetic white cover in a feeble (magazine-like) paper. It looks like you have printed it in your shabby deskjet…So, if you can buy a used copy of the original edition, do it. Do not bother to buy this digitally reprinted book because its quality, durability, etc. really suck.

⭐An interesting approach to statistical mechanics. Deep in places, but not especially mathematically rigorous. Lots of food for thought.

⭐Ma: “this book pays much attention to all the weak points in statistical mechanics, the limitations on its rules of calculation, as well as its questionable and ambiguous points.” (preface). This text remains a favorite. It is both elementary and advanced, suitable both for undergraduate and graduate students.Originally published 1985, 540 pages, with content divided among eight parts (my copy: hardcover).(1) “Probability is looked upon as a tool for arranging the information and not a physical concept.” (page 449). Begin reading the text at chapter twenty-six, Ma writes: “The discussion in this chapter is the subjective opinion of the author. These ideas, scattered in previous chapters, are summarized here.” This chapter is fifteen pages of thought-provoking exposition. If you enjoy the discourse, you will enjoy the entire textbook. Turn now to part three of the text, Probability: read the sixty-pages (163-242). Read Mark Kac: “arguments based on probability theory should be used with extreme care.” (page 17, Probability and Related Topics in Physical Sciences).Now, return to study of this book in linear fashion (that is, each chapter sequentially).(2) If familiar with Schroeder (Thermal Physics), you will find his sign convention identical to Ma’s. That is, here equation #2.7: work done on the body and heat flowing into the body. Many texts use the opposite convention, so pay attention. Detailed balance utilized early (page 35). Time invariance invoked, early and explicitly (page 36). Excellent pedagogy !(3) Chapter Twenty-Eight is uncommon at this level (elementary and intermediate). This chapter offers a lucid discussion of fluctuation effects at boundaries. You get a chance to revisit Ising model (page 485). You get to utilize Poisson summation again (page 490, earlier met page 290). An exercise revisits Ising model (#3, a- e) and provides hints for solution (for instance, use the central limit theorem).(4) Central Limit Theorem, another highlight of the text. Encounter it initially in an elementary fashion, then again (first on page 200, then page 209). Fluctuations get multiple encounters (first, page 217) again in chapter thirteen and subsequent chapters (28 and 29). Excellent pedagogy !(5) Another highlight, again uncommon, Impurities and Motion (chapter eighteen). Terminology is important: impurity, mixture, amorphous. You will learn the difference. Problem #4 revisits Ising model (in relation to this chapter). Answer to the problem four is supplied (page 327).(6) Diffusion (chapter 21) is yet another uncommon chapter. Read: “we know how to use them, but do not fully understand why they can be so useful.” (regards Boltzmann equation, page 367). You met Boltzmann equation in the preceding chapter, you got a nice intuitive argument leading to it (page 347). Detailed balance is invoked again (page 348).(7) Ma: “we emphasize once more that entropy is unrelated to the uncertainty of observation or the knowledge or ignorance of the observer.” (page 418). Understand why he makes that claim in chapter twenty-four (and elsewhere). Notice how Ma interprets information theory (page 429). A problem revisits Ising model (page 438).(8) I will conclude at this juncture. There is much more to assimilate. The exercises are wonderfully informative (sometimes with hints or answers for their solution). The writing is lucid. The topics are a bit off the beaten path of your typical statistical mechanics text. This is a fun book. The material is not uniformly difficult, in the sense that later material is not necessarily harder than earlier material. If you enjoy Ising model, happily that is a topic revisited on more than one occasion. The more advanced book by Ma, Modern Theory of Critical Phenomena (1976), is your next step. And, a good step it is ! Both books are highly recommended

Keywords

Free Download Statistical Mechanics in PDF format
Statistical Mechanics PDF Free Download
Download Statistical Mechanics 1985 PDF Free
Statistical Mechanics 1985 PDF Free Download
Download Statistical Mechanics PDF
Free Download Ebook Statistical Mechanics