Fundamentals and Practice in Statistical Thermodynamics
Bridge the gap between thermodynamic theory and engineering practice with this essential textbook
Thermodynamics is a discipline which straddles the fields of chemistry, physics, and engineering, and has long been a mainstay of undergraduate and graduate curricula. Conventional thermodynamics courses, however, often ignore modern developments in statistical mechanics, such as molecular simulation methods, cooperative phenomena, phase transitions, universality, as well as liquid-state and polymer theories, despite their close relevance to both fundamental research and engineering practice. Fundamentals and Practice in Statistical Thermodynamics fills this gap with an essential book that applies up-to-date statistical-mechanical techniques to address the most crucial thermodynamics problems found in chemical and materials systems. It is ideally suited to introduce a new generation of researchers and molecular engineers to modern thermodynamic topics with numerous cutting-edge applications.
From Fundamentals and Practice in Statistical Thermodynamics readers will also find:
- An introduction to statistical-mechanical methods including molecular dynamics simulation, Monte Carlo simulation, as well as the molecular theories of phase transitions, classical fluids, electrolyte solutions, polymeric materials, and more
- Illustrative examples and exercise problems with solutions to facilitate student understanding
- Supplementary online materials covering the basics of quantum mechanics, density functional theory, variational principles of classical mechanics, intermolecular interactions, and many more subjects
Fundamentals and Practice in Statistical Thermodynamics is ideal for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in chemical engineering, biomolecular engineering, environmental engineering, materials science and engineering, and all related scientific subfields of physics and chemistry.
Jianzhong Wu, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Riverside. He also serves as collaborating faculty in the Departments of Bioengineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mathematics. Dr. Wu is an elected fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.
John M. Prausnitz, PhD, is a professor of chemical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is also a recipient of the National Medal of Science in recognition of his pioneering work on engineering-oriented molecular thermodynamics.