Customer Reviews

Problems and Solutions on Thermodynamics (Major American Universities Ph.D. Qualifying Questions and Solutions)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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All of these books titled "Problems and Solutions on (subject): Major American Universities Ph.D. Qualifying Questions and Solutions" are invaluable tools for a physics graduate student, in my experience.

One criticism: The index for this particular book is nonexistent. I am writing my own in my copy of the book.

If you are a student in physics, I suggest that you get your hands on these books.

The entire series is my savior. Each volume covers the material needed in the junior/senior level of physics. It truly has an emense selection of problems. I found that nearly all of my homework/exams were either exactly the same or merely a slight variation from one contained. I also have yet to find a single error, not even a sign error. One important thing is that it does need to be a supplement, as formulas are sometimes used without explicit reference to why. In general the reasons need to be found in an assigned text. My only gripe (and it is minor) is with the index...the index does not, in general, lead one to a relevent problem. For example, uses of Biot/Savart to solve this problem or that... The reason this is not a serious problem is that each topic has so many variations on the method/technique that it is simple enough to find at least a couple that are completely relevent. (given you know which section to look in)

If you're a grad student, you'll probably use this book twice: Once when studying for your qualifying exams, then again when you're writing problems for your courses to prepare future students for their qualifying exams. There are many exercises, the first part focusing on Thermodynamics, and the second on statistical physics. Beware, however, as not all solutions are correct. As with any book, work out the problem yourself, then compare, and never take the word of a solution manual. On the whole, however, there tend to be many repetitive problems.

I liked the book. I think that it helps to review
the subject and test how much you studied. You also
can learn some tricks. I recomend.

The books in this series are a valuable resource for studying for PhD screening/comprehensive exams. Working through practice problems is, in my opinion, the best way to prepare for these tests. This book covers a wide range of topics, so you can find the section on whatever your thermodynamic weakness is and really work it out. Not every equation in the solutions is motivated, but working through and puzzling over the derivations is in itself extremely helpful.

it is a good book..
though most of the problems solved are on the same pattern...