Looking for a solid Introductory Statisical Mechanics textbook.

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on recommendations for a comprehensive textbook on statistical mechanics suitable for a second-year undergraduate student. The user is currently using "Concepts in Thermal Physics" and seeks a longer, more in-depth resource. Suggestions include Reif's book from the Berkeley Series, which is noted for its quality despite being out of print, and Greiner's thermodynamics and statistics book, which integrates necessary thermodynamic concepts with statistical ensembles. Reichl's "A Modern Course in Statistical Physics" is also recommended for its broad coverage of the subject. Additionally, Dill and Bromberg's text is mentioned as a decent introductory option. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for a thorough understanding of statistical mechanics through well-regarded academic texts.
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Title says it all really, I'm a second year undergraduate from oxford, and currently the textbook I've been using for stat. mech. is "Concepts in Thermal Physics", which was wirtten by my lecturer. I'd like (ideally) something a bit longer to work through suring the holidays, that would provide a complete introduction to the subject (in a similar style to Shankar's "Principles of Quantum Mechanics" and Griffiths's "Introduction to Electrodynamics").

Thanks,
Alex
 
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Reif's book from the Berkely Series is a reasonably decent text
 
Dr Transport said:
Reif's book from the Berkely Series is a reasonably decent text

I've heard good things about this book. Although it is out of print, but you can find the international edition floating around. Reif's currently in-print book is at a slightly higher level, but is supposed to be very good.
 
I reccomend the thermodynamics and statistics book from the Greiner series. Because you have in the same book the necessary knowledge on thermodynamics when discussing the thermodynamical limit of statistical ensembles.
 
L-x said:
Title says it all really, I'm a second year undergraduate from oxford, and currently the textbook I've been using for stat. mech. is "Concepts in Thermal Physics", which was wirtten by my lecturer. I'd like (ideally) something a bit longer to work through suring the holidays, that would provide a complete introduction to the subject (in a similar style to Shankar's "Principles of Quantum Mechanics" and Griffiths's "Introduction to Electrodynamics").

Try Part 2 of http://lanl.arxiv.org/abs/0810.1019

Reichl's ''A modern course in statistical physics'' is also very good, since it shows you the breadth of the subject.
 
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