Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics

Edward Timoshenko

May 2021 · Concise Lecture Notes in Physical Chemistry Book 2 · Edward Timoshenko

About this ebook

After a brief introduction into the probability theory, the main principles of Statistical Mechanics are systematically developed from the first principles for the equilibrium theory. The course proceeds from a mechanistic description of molecular and atomic motion and the concepts of thermodynamical ensembles. For an isolated system the laws of Thermodynamics are derived in the thermodynamic limit. 

For systems in a heat bath we obtain the Gibbs canonical distribution and explain the concepts of the partition function and the free energy. The ideal gas law is then obtained, and extended to the van der Waals equation of state. The vibrational, rotational and electronic partition functions are obtained for molecular systems. For open thermodynamic systems under a fixed pressure the grand-canonical Gibbs ensemble is  introduced with the concepts of the chemical potential and the enthalpy. Finally, the quantum systems with the Bose-Einstein and Fermi statistics are reviewed. 

Ratings and reviews

These lecture notes are very useful for exam preparation as they contain straightforward derivations of all the laws and equations from the minimal set of a priori principles. Excellent as a prerequisite for further study of any branch of Physical Chemistry. Ideal gas law is strictly deduced. Vibrational, rotational partition functions are calculated and further discussed. Finally, beyond classical treatment the Bose and Fermi quantum statistics are introduced.

A concise and nice introduction to Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics

About the author

2011- Researcher, TEdQz Research after an early retirement from UCD  

2005 - 2011 Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, UCD

1997 College Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, UCD

1995-97 Temporary Lecturer at UCD

1994-1995 Postdoctoral fellow at University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland

1992 M.Sc. in Physics , and 1995 Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics, both from M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia