Customer Reviews

Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Thermodynamics (3rd Edition)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Not very useful.

That was my first impression of this book. Suppose I had left my review to the three words above. You would have been left with an empty feeling with expectations unfulfilled, wondering if there was more to it than just those words. You'd probably say my review wasn't very helpful.

Well, that about sums up my feelings for this text. Every time I open it for reference, I read a few pages, looking for something that just doesn't seem to be there. I am left with expectations unfulfilled, wondering if I was missing something. I usually put it back on the shelf and move to the next book, thinking "Hmm. That wasn't very helpful."

This book sits in my library next to the Callen text on thermo and stat mech. I also have a copy of Reichl's stat mech text. Between Salinger, Callen, and Reichl, one might begin to get a handle on the subject, but not one of these books is the *definitive* text on the subject. I haven't found that one yet. I would suggest that if one is looking for yet another reference text, put this one in the number 2 or number 3 slot on your list.

The item was not as described. It was definitely not "like new" since there was quite a bit of wear and markings on the cover and the pages were yellowed. The book had several highlightings and things written inside. It was not in extremely poor condition. However, I expected "like new" condition and was disappointed.

"Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Thermodynamics (3rd Edition)" is an excellent text to learn the fundamentals. This text should be the text any Physics Professor uses. Do not be fooled by other texts. This one is the best. My professor now is trying to create his own text for Thermo, and it is horrible. Publishers need to be more honest to their clients!

Book was listed as being like new but pages were extremely yellowed and slightly water damaged. Usable text book though and arrived quickly

Overcomplicated. The entire book. I'm not just talking rigorous... A good example is the two page proof that the number of microstates in n particles, if each can range from 0 to q, whereas the sum of all must add up to q, is n + q - 1 CHOOSE q. This can be proved (just as formally) in about 3 lines, while being much more intuitive!

This is the best introductory thermo, stat mech book available. Very clear with a nice set of problems.