Statistical thermodynamics plays a vital linking role between quantum theory and chemical thermodynamics, yet students often find the subject unpalatable. In this text, the authors set out to overcome this by emphasizing the concepts involved, in particular demystifying the partition function. They do not get bogged down in the mathematics that are essential for a profound study of the subject but which can confuse the beginner. Strong emphasis is placed on the physical basis of statistical thermodynamics and the relations with experiment. After a clear exposition of the distribution laws, partition functions, hear capacities, chemical equilibria and kinetics, the subject is further illuminated by a discussion of low-temperature phenomena and spectroscopy. The coverage is brought up to date with a chapter on computer simulation and a final section which ranged beyond the narrow limits usually associated with student texts to emphasize the common dependence of macroscopic behaviour on the properties of constituent atoms and molecules. Since first published in 1974 as "Entropy and Energy Levels", this work has been revised and updated. It is intended for undergraduates and graduates in chemistry, general physics and statistical mechanics. "Statistical thermodynamics plays a vital linking role between quantum theory and chemical thermodynamics, yet students often find the subject unpalatable. In this updated version of a popular text, the authors overcome this by emphasising the concepts involved, in particular demystifying the partition function. They do not get bogged down in the mathematical niceties that are essential for a profound study of the subject but which can confuse the beginner. Strong emphasis is placed on the physical basis of statistical thermodynamics and the relations with experiment. After a clear exposition of the distribution laws, partition functions, heat capacities, chemical equilibria and kinetics, the subject is further illuminated by a discussion of low-temperature phenomena and spectroscopy. The coverage is brought right up to date with a chapter on computer simulation and a final section which ranges beyond the narrow limits usually associated with student texts to emphasise the common dependence of macroscopic behaviour on the properties of constituent atoms and molecules. Since first published in 1974 as 'Entropy and Energy Levels', the book has been very popular with students. This revised and updated version will no doubt serve the same needs."-- "This book presents both the fundamentals and the major research topics in statistical physics of systems out of equilibrium. It summarizes different approaches to describe such systems on the thermodynamic and stochastic levels, and discusses a variety of areas including reactions, anomalous kinetics, and the behavior of self-propelling particles."--BOOK JACKET This volume covers the area of statistical physics - in particular statistical thermodynamics and stochastic theory of nonlinear systems far from equilibrium. Topics covered include: structures in excitable systems; reaction-diffusion systems, and nucleation phenomena in gases. Statistical Physics is that part of physics which derives emergent properties of macroscopic matter from the atomic structure and the microscopic dynamics.
