Publisher's Synopsis
"This gem of
a book provides the student with a
clear, concise, and compelling introduction to the
deceptively simple but vitally important topic of
thermodynamics. It involves the relationships between
heat, work, temperature, energy, and states of matter,
and touches virtually every field
of science."
-Richard N. Zare, Stanford
University
"This book
introduces students to the Boltzmann factor
in an exceptionally clear and concise way. This is a
key topic for students studying any branch of modern
science. Most importantly, this text adds significantly
to our understanding of both the simplicity and the
importance of the Boltzmann
factor."
-Graham Hutchings, FRS, Cardiff
University
This vibrant book takes the
reader on an exciting journey through much of physical sciences by explaining
the wide ranging influence of a single equation, the Boltzmann factor.
This simple relation provides the key to understanding a remarkable variety of
phenomena ranging from, for example, the behavior of atmospheric pressure at
altitude, the appearance of molecular spectra and the factors that determine
chemical equilibrium. Compact and clearly written book, this book, which requires no advanced mathematical
skills, will enrich and deepen students' understanding of
the molecular sciences. The insight it provides will enable them to
appreciate the elegant unity that underlies the subject.
