The main focus of this book is to provide a comprehensive and rigorous introduction to the principles and techniques of statistical mechanics, which is the study of systems with a large number of degrees of freedom.
This book is primarily aimed at graduate students and researchers in physics, chemistry, and related fields, who have a basic understanding of classical mechanics, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics.
The book covers a wide range of topics including classical and quantum statistical mechanics, ideal and real gases, phase transitions, critical phenomena, and many-body systems. It also includes detailed discussions on the application of statistical mechanics to various physical systems.
Yes, readers are expected to have a strong background in mathematics, including calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra. A basic understanding of classical mechanics, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics is also required.
While this book can be used for self-study, it is recommended to have a background in statistical mechanics or to use it as a supplement to a course on the subject. The book includes challenging exercises and problems that can be used for self-assessment and further understanding of the material.