"Statistical Thermodynamics" book by Erwin Schrödinger

  • #1
SummeryWinter
14
7
There's a dover book called "Statistical Thermodynamics" by Erwin Schrödinger, I have worked through "Concepts in Thermal Physics" by Schroeder and I think Erwin's book blends some of thermodynamics with quantum mechanics so I don't think I'll be able to comprehend it, anyways I just wanted to know if it's a good book in terms of exposition and clarity of the subject matter.

Also, there's another book by Van Ness called "Understanding thermodynamics", is that a good book, again, in terms of exposition and clarity of the subject matter. Are any of the books chemistry-centric?


P.S.- Even though I have not gone through quantum mechanics in a rigorous matter, I have still worked through Halliday and Resnick's "Physics"(both volumes)
 
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  • #2
For chemistry centric try
Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics by Smith and Van Ness.

“Understanding thermodynamics” is a series of lectures, i.e., to be used as a supplement not a primary source.

Schrodinger’s book is an advanced text, i.e., one should know some statistical thermodynamics before reading it.
 
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  • #3
Frabjous said:
For chemistry centric try
Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics by Smith and Van Ness.

“Understanding thermodynamics” is a series of lectures, i.e., to be used as a supplement not a primary source.

Schrodinger’s book is an advanced text, i.e., one should know some statistical thermodynamics before reading it.
What level is "Understanding thermodynamics" at? Can I as a soon-to-be undergraduate understand it?
 
  • #4
SummeryWinter said:
What level is "Understanding thermodynamics" at? Can I as a soon-to-be undergraduate understand it?
Probably.
 
  • #5
Frabjous said:
Probably
I'll see to it then...
 
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  • #6
Is Erwin's above mentioned book clear in terms of exposition, is it mathematically rigorous, if so what mathematical methods would I need to work through it? How good is it really?
 
  • #7
Why are you focused on it? I would not describe it as a book to strive for. A student focused on statistical mechanics might pick it up in their senior year of college.
 
  • #8
SummeryWinter said:
Is Erwin's above mentioned book
By convention, one should refer to it using the author’s last name, i.e., Schrodinger’s book.
 
  • #9
Frabjous said:
By convention, one should refer to it using the author’s last name, i.e., Schrodinger’s book.
Yeah, I was just lazy to type Schrodinger😅😅
 
  • #10
Frabjous said:
Why are you focused on it? I would not describe it as a book to strive for. A student focused on statistical mechanics might pick it up in their senior year of college.
I just found it so I wanted to know more about it since it was written by Schrödinger, that's all
 
  • #11
For Schrodingers book, Read the Book Overview on amazon. I think it is pretty clear on the nature of this book.
 
  • #12
gmax137 said:
For Schrodingers book, Read the Book Overview on amazon. I think it is pretty clear on the nature of this book.
I have already, I just wanted some more information about whether or not I could handle it yet
 
  • #13
There's another dover book called "Atomic Spectra and Atomic Structure" by Gerhard Herzberg, does anyone know how good it is and the prerequisites for it?


P.S.-Sorry if I seem too fixated on books, I just want a change of scenery(figuratively) after working through some sluggish problems.
 
  • #14
SummeryWinter said:
There's another dover book called "Atomic Spectra and Atomic Structure" by Gerhard Herzberg, does anyone know how good it is and the prerequisites for it?


P.S.-Sorry if I seem too fixated on books, I just want a change of scenery(figuratively) after working through some sluggish problems.
You should start a new thread. There is no guarantee that a person with knowledge of Herzberg will make it this far into this thread.

It is good, but dated. Today, I would describe it as a specialist’s text.
 
  • #15
Frabjous said:
You should start a new thread. There is no guarantee that a person with knowledge of Herzberg will make it this far into this thread.

It is good, but dated. Today, I would describe it as a specialist’s text.
Yeah, I think I'll start a new thread
 
  • #16
If price is a concern, I would start a thread asking for inexpensive books for a beginner in physics.
 
  • #18
Frabjous said:
Here’s a good free book that is suitable for your level.
Taylor and Wheeler - Spacetime Physics
https://www.eftaylor.com/spacetimephysics/
Oh, I know about this book, it's already been mentioned quite a few times in PF threads as an introductory book to astrophysics and astronomy, I saw a preview and I think I saw a Determinant or something related to linear algebra
 
  • #19
SummeryWinter said:
Erwin
Doyou know him personally? If not, why are you using his first name?
 
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  • #20
Vanadium 50 said:
Doyou know him personally? If not, why are you using his first name?
To answer your first question, no I do not. As for the second question, I am sorry but as I said earlier I was too lazy to type Schrödinger in it's entirety, it's MY MISTAKE


Edit: I'll try to rise above my laziness and use full last names😄😄
 
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