What Are the Classic Textbooks in Classical Statistical Mechanics?

In summary, the conversation discusses the search for a comprehensive textbook on classical statistical mechanics and kinetic theory. The individual is looking for a book that covers topics such as the Liouville equation, ensembles, Brownian motion, and classical path integrals, while also incorporating modern concepts such as geometric formulations, Lie groups, and functional/operational calculus. They mention some potential candidates, such as Kinetic Theory by Liboff and the Landau/Lifgarbagez texts, but express that they are not satisfied with some other traditional textbooks. They also mention a specific book they are using and ask for potential solutions to problems in that book.
  • #1
jjustinn
164
3
What are the classics in the area of (classical) statistical mechanics / kinetic theory? Is there anything as universally-lauded as, say, Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics or Goldstein's Classical Mechanics are in their respective fields?
 
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  • #2
Specifically, I'm looking for something more general than the usual "calculating the behavior of a (monatomic|diatomic|...) gas" that many books seem to focus on...some topics I'd be interested in would be:

- Liouville equation / measure (derivation, uses)
- Derivation of various ensembles (gibbs, etc)
- Brownian motion
- Classical path integrals

In addition to those basics, some modern flare would give bonus points:

- Geometric formulations (e.g. using differential forms / bundle connections)
- Lie group / representation theory
- Functional / operator calculus

I spent a lot of time looking at ToCs yesterday, and I found one book that looked like it could be a decent model of what I'm looking for: Kinetic Theory, by Liboff. The Landau / Lifgarbagez texts -- particularly the first part -- also seems to be a decent candidate (though it seems to be very old-school -- missing all of the 'flare' I mentioned above).

However, there are numerous examples of what I'm NOT looking for:
Hill - Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics
Tolman - Principles of Statistical Mechanics
Mayer & Mayer - Statistical Mechanics

Am I just too picky? I'm envisioning something like what Boltzmann or Maxwell would have been able to write, but with modern language and concepts...not necessarily totally devoid of 20th century physics, but I'm looking for something that doesn't treat statistical mechanics as simply a step on the way to quantum mechanics.
 
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  • #3
i need some help in problems of introduction to statistical mechanics by roger bowley and mariana 2nd edition
is it possible for some one to provide me some some solutions of that book in pdf...
 

1. What is Statistical Mechanics?

Statistical Mechanics is a branch of physics that uses statistical methods to explain and predict the behavior of large-scale systems, such as gases, liquids, and solids. It is based on the principles of thermodynamics and statistical probability to understand the properties and behavior of these systems.

2. How is Statistical Mechanics different from Classical Mechanics?

Classical Mechanics is concerned with the motion of individual particles, while Statistical Mechanics focuses on the average behavior of a large number of particles. Classical Mechanics uses deterministic equations to describe the motion of particles, while Statistical Mechanics uses statistical methods to describe the behavior of a large number of particles.

3. What are the main concepts in Statistical Mechanics?

The main concepts in Statistical Mechanics include entropy, energy, and temperature. Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness of a system, while energy is the ability to do work. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a system.

4. What is the role of probability in Statistical Mechanics?

Probability is a fundamental concept in Statistical Mechanics as it allows us to predict the behavior of large-scale systems based on the behavior of individual particles. Statistical Mechanics uses probability distributions to describe the likelihood of a particle having a certain energy or being in a certain state.

5. How is Statistical Mechanics used in other fields of science?

Statistical Mechanics has applications in various fields of science, including chemistry, biology, and materials science. It is used to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems, such as chemical reactions, biological processes, and material properties. It also plays a crucial role in fields such as thermodynamics, astrophysics, and quantum mechanics.

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