Statistical Mechanics for Chemists

From the basics of thermodynamics to solutions for modern dynamical problems —the complete beginner's guide to statistical mechanics.

Unlike most books on statistical mechanics, this one is written for advanced students in chemistry, chemical engineering, biophysics, and related fields. It targets readers with no prior exposure to statistical mechanics and provides a complete introduction to all the important principles, concepts, and equations, while maintaining a level of mathematical sophistication that most advanced chemistry students will find manageable. The emphasis is on finding solutions to common problems in chemistry. Topics covered include: *The Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity distribution for molecules in a gas, partition functions, and calculation of thermodynamic properties *Ensembles (including the grand canonical ensemble), independent particles, and thermodynamic properties of atoms and molecules *Practical introductions to quantum statistical mechanics and classical statistical mechanics *Applications to electrons in metals and semiconductors; bosons and fermions; imperfect gases; transport properties; dipole moments in electric and magnetic fields; and distribution functions and correlation functions in fluids *Time-dependent techniques for handling both simple and modern dynamical problems —the Liouville equation, time-correlation functions, and the Langevin equation.

Clearly written, and with a minimum of theory, Statistical Mechanics for Chemists takes you step by step through mathematical manipulations and explains the physical and chemical bases for each procedure. It is a valuable resource for advanced students in chemistry, chemical engineering, biophysics, and related fields.