Thermodynamics and Statistical Thermodynamics References

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Applied Physics students seeking thermodynamics textbooks have several recommendations. "An Introduction to Thermal Physics" by Daniel V. Schroeder is noted for its rigorous derivations but may lack step-by-step guidance. "Thermal Physics" by Kittel and Kroemer is praised for its clarity and readability, while "Heat and Thermodynamics" by Zemansky and Dittman is considered comprehensive for undergraduates. Fermi's book is recognized for its concise explanations but may be too simplistic for a full course. Overall, Zemansky and Adkins' "Equilibrium Thermodynamics" are highly recommended for a solid understanding of the subject.
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Hi,
i'm an Applied Physics student (2nd year).
Could you please tell me a book to study thermodynamics from?
I've studied from Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Thermodynamics by Sears - Salinger and it is pretty good.
Has anyone "tested" :
1) An Introduction to Thermal Physics by Daniel V. Schroeder
2) Heat and Thermodynamics by Mark W. Zemansky - Richard H. Dittman
3) Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics by Herbert B. Callen
4) Thermodynamics by Enrico Fermi ?

If someone has tried another textbook and they think it was really helpfull, please let me know.
Thanks, in advance!
 
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I used An Introduction to Thermal Physics by Daniel V. Schroeder last semester. It required a lot of derivation as part of the questions. If you want a book with more step-by-step help and sample problems worked out within the text, I'd look elsewhere. I have not tried any others to give you a better suggestion, however.
 
anyone some help? please??
 
Fermi's book is excellent. I also like Tolman's "principles of statistical mechanics".
 
I own a copy of Zemansky & Dittmar (1981), which I use as a (fairly good) reference. I tried to read Callen: I would never recommand that book to anybody because it assumes that enthalpy can be 'created' from internal energy by applying a Legendre Transform with respect to volume: It is Science Fiction.
I do like Cengel (Introduction to thermodynamics and heat transfer), so may be Cengel & Boles (2006) is a good start.
 
I used Zemansky & Dittman for undergrad, since Dittman was on the faculty where I did my undergrad. It was fine. I really did not need anything outside of it for an undergrad physics Thermo class. It was comprehensive enough for undergrad, I felt.
 
The best book I've every seen is Thermal Physics by Kittel and Kroemer. Clear, readable, and quite interesting.
 
twofish-quant said:
The best book I've ever seen is Thermal Physics by Kittel and Kroemer. Clear, readable, and quite interesting.

There is a thread on this subject:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=149365&referrerid=219693

It suggests that Zemansky & Dittman might be a better choice then Kittel & Kroemer.
This is also suggested by the number of edtions (re-)printed.
 
Fermi's book is too simple to be suitable as a textbook but its like thermodynamics in 160 pages with most lucid explanation. Its an easy read, very small in size and teaches you most pure thermo concepts very clearly. No matter what textbook you go with, read fermi anyways.

As texts I recommend Zemansky or "Equilibrium Thermodynamics" by C.J Adkins. Adkins book is just awesome as a text.
 
  • #10
Concepts in Thermal Physics by Blundell seems okay.
 
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