Learning Statistical physics, which book?

silverwhale

Hello everybody,

I am a graduate physics student.
I am trying to learn statistical physics and I have extreme difficulty in learning it. I do not find good books and don't get the ideas behind the concepts.
the books I consulted where the Greiner, Kittel and Fliessbach. Books used in German universities.
Especially I have difficulties in understanding how to derive the microcanonical ensemble. And the concepts behind it. Can anyone help?
Telling me about an easy book to start with or lecture notes. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks in Advance!!

atyy

I like Kardar's notes http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8...lecture-notes/

There's a book based on the notes too http://books.google.com.sg/books?id=...gbs_navlinks_s

Dr Transport

I like Statistical Physics in the Berkeley Series by Reif, from there you can go onto Thermal and Statistical Physics by Reif in the McGraw-Hill series.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...s=reif&x=0&y=0

Simfish

How does Kardar compare with Reif? Does Kardar have any gaps?

Also, what about Statistical Mechanics in a Nutshell?

E_M_C

The best introductory Stat. Mech. book I've ever found is Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics by Stowe.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/052186...sr=8-1&pi=SL75

IRobot

I have been refreshing my concepts of statistical physics by reading Tong's lecture notes weeks ago:
http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/statphys.html

I really enjoyed them, and learned some new stuff.

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atyy Recognitions: Science Advisor	I like Kardar's notes http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8...lecture-notes/ There's a book based on the notes too http://books.google.com.sg/books?id=...gbs_navlinks_s

Dr Transport Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor	I like Statistical Physics in the Berkeley Series by Reif, from there you can go onto Thermal and Statistical Physics by Reif in the McGraw-Hill series. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...s=reif&x=0&y=0

Simfish Blog Entries: 1 Recognitions: Gold Member	Learning Statistical physics, which book? How does Kardar compare with Reif? Does Kardar have any gaps? Also, what about Statistical Mechanics in a Nutshell?

E_M_C	The best introductory Stat. Mech. book I've ever found is Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics by Stowe. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/052186...sr=8-1&pi=SL75

IRobot	I have been refreshing my concepts of statistical physics by reading Tong's lecture notes weeks ago: http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/statphys.html I really enjoyed them, and learned some new stuff.