Statistical Physics Books: Reif, Kittel & More

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for textbooks on statistical physics, specifically seeking alternatives to the older works by Reif and Kittel. The focus is on finding more recent and formal texts that maintain similar content.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a need for a more formal and recent textbook on statistical physics, citing Reif and Kittel as outdated.
  • Another participant questions the meaning of "formal" in the context of textbooks.
  • A participant clarifies that by "formal," they refer to a style similar to Jackson's electrodynamics, which employs a rigorous mathematical framework.
  • Another participant suggests 'Statistical Physics' by Landau and Lifgarbagez as a potential alternative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on what constitutes a "formal" textbook, and multiple perspectives on the definition and expectations of textbook quality remain present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks specific criteria for evaluating the formality of textbooks and does not resolve the question of which book may best meet the needs expressed.

Littlepig
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Hi there,
I'm searching for a good book for statistical physics.

Professor as told us that the bibliography was Reif or Kittel (thermal physics)

However, both are a little bit old, and some not very formal. I'm wondering if something more formal, more recent, with more or less the same content of Kittel or Rief.

Thank you very much,
littlepig
 
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What do you mean by 'formal'?
 
Like for instance Jackson for electrodynamics. It may be a little more difficult because the things are made in a good mathematic base with formal language.

Thanks for the quick response. :)
 
Have you tried 'Statistical Physics' by Landau and Lifgarbagez?
 

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