Statistical Thermodynamics (Oxford Chemistry Primers, 58) [Paperback]

Andrew Maczek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 11, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0198559119 | ISBN-13: 978-0198559115

Statistical Thermodynamics sets out to provide the basic groundwork that will lead 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students of chemistry and chemical engineering from their existing knowledge of elementary classical thermodynamics to an understanding of the predictable statistical behaviour of assemblies of large numbers of identical molecules, in an ideal gas at constant temperature and volume. It begins by establishing the basis of the Boltzmann distribution law and proceeds, through definition of the molecular partition function, to link the laws of thermodynamics (which avoid any mention of atomic or quantum theory) to the statistical behaviour of assemblies of quantum particles. Equations are derived that relate thermodynamic state functions to the molecular partition function and these form a basic tool kit with which to tackle problems from a knowledge only of the relative populations of quantum energy states. The various contributions to the partition function (translation, rotation, vibration, electronic) are explored and derived. The book ends with a chapter in which all the concepts are brought together in the calculation of equilibrium constants for reactions between ideal gases. A number of fully worked examples are included, making this an invaluable aid to undergraduate chemistry, physics, chemical engineering and materials science courses. Postgraduate biochemists and molecular biologists will also find this book useful.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is becoming harder to teach the more mathematical aspects of physical chemistry in a meaningful way, and any new publication that may provide assistance is very welcome. This is particularly so when it is in the series of Oxford chemistry primers, which have gained a reputation for covering important material at an appropriate level and affordable cost. This volume covers statistical thermodynamics in no fewer than 15 chapters, which has the advantage of splitting the material into manageable sections that are less likely to frighten the average chemistry undergraduate."--Chemistry in Britain

About the Author

Dr Andrew Maczek, Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF. Tel: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail]

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198559119
• ISBN-13: 978-0198559115
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #852,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I'm conflicted, March 21, 2005

By 

Raman (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Statistical Thermodynamics (Oxford Chemistry Primers, 58) (Paperback)

Maczek presents here a short invitation to statistical chemical thermodynamics, showing how the partition functions due to various degrees of freedom of a molecule can be used to calculate thermodynamic properties and to predict the positions of chemical equilibria. It has some quirks, and whether or not it is a worthwhile purchase seems like an individual decision.

First the good things. Maczek's primer is succinct, delivering ideas in bite-sized chunks, almost like an outline or set of lecture notes. Thus, it does not stretch the reader's attention span too much. Its overall brevity also enables one to read the entire book in a short period of time and have a reasonable taste of statistical thermodynamics. The parts of the book I enjoyed the most were the case studies on simple applications, which Maczek wove into the book as interstitial chapters between presentations of various partition functions. He used two-level theory to explain the Schottky anomaly in the heat capacity of solids and delivered a nice explanation of ortho- and para-hydrogen along with the rotational partition function. These chapters were gems, short but very satsisfying illustrations of the power of the theory.

On the other hand, the book is quite limited. Its main caveat is that it assumes a full knowledge of classical thermodynamics, which I did not have when I read the book. To follow the treatment, one also needs a knowledge of basic quantum mechanics. When showing how all classical thermodynamic quantities can be written in terms of the canonical partition function, it pulls sophisticated formulae from classical thermodynamics out of thin air, making the derivations look like a collection of silly tricks involving partial derivatives. The treatment of the theory is quite superficial; for example, the absolutely fundamental derivation of the most probable statistical distribution and its predominance at equilibrium are omitted. So is any discussion of Boltzmann's statistical view of entropy. Finally, the book is a bit expensive for my tastes (it's cheap compared to other science textbooks, but remember that it is a 90-page paperback that goes by quickly and which has only limited value as a reference).

These drawbacks are probably symptoms of a deliberate effort to keep the book short and simple. For a student wanting to learn and understand statistical thermodynamics in any depth, Maczek would break the ice, but it cannot be the only book in this effort (to his credit, Maczek admits this). It was a nice read and a manageable introduction, but I wonder whether it is more efficient simply to start with a more substantial book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars note to previous reviewer, April 17, 2007

By 

A.Reader1 (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Statistical Thermodynamics (Oxford Chemistry Primers, 58) (Paperback)

some recommended books.

Start with the following 2:

1. Last 5 chapters of "Introduction to Thermophysics" by Thomas P. Espinola

2. Elements of Statistical Thermodynamics by Leonard K. Nash, 2nd edition (read his Elements of Chemical Thermodynamics book. also very well done). Both reprinted by Dover

Then proceed with (in no particular order):

An Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics by Terrell L. Hill

Statistical Mechanics by Donald A. McQuarrie

The Principles of Statistical Mechanics by Richard C. Tolman

Introduction to Modern Statistical Mechanics by David Chandler

Look at my other reviews for other chemistry books.