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Elsevier

Books in Statistical physics and thermodynamics

  • The Classical Stefan Problem

    Basic Concepts, Modelling and Analysis with Quasi-Analytical Solutions and Methods
    • 2nd Edition
    • S.C. Gupta
    • English
    The Classical Stefan Problem: Basic Concepts, Modelling and Analysis with Quasi-Analytical Solutions and Methods, New Edition, provides fundamental theory, concepts, modelling and analysis of the physical, mathematical, thermodynamical and metallurgical properties of classical Stefan and Stefan-like problems as applied to heat transfer problems involving phase-changes, such as from liquid to solid. This self-contained work reports and derives the results from tensor analysis, differential geometry, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, physics and functional analysis, and is thoroughly enriched with many appropriate references for an in-depth background reading on theorems. This new edition includes more than 400 pages of new material on quasi-analytical solutions and methods of classical Stefan and Stefan-like problems. The book aims to bridge the gap between the theoretical and solution aspects of the afore-mentioned problems.

  • Langmuir-Blodgett Films, 1982

    Proceedings of the First International Conference on Langmuir-Blodgett Films, Durham, Gt. Britain, September 20-22, 1982
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 3
    • G.G. Roberts + 1 more
    • English
    Thin Films Science and Technology, Volume 3: Langmuir–Blodgett Films, 1982 presents the developments and complementary methods for the production of ultrathin films. This book evaluates the process technology and potential of the films. Organized into two parts encompassing 48 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the idea that the Langmuir–Blodgett method of superimposing fatty acid monolayers might be suitably modified. This text then examines the behavior of anisotropic photoconductivities in Langmuir films of rhodanine containing merocyanines with three donor nuclei diluted with arachidic acid. Other chapters describe the characteristic of pure Langmuir–Blodgett films of porphyrins. This book discusses as well the preliminary resonance Raman spectroscopy experiments on Langmuir–Blodgett films made of a small number of porphyrin layers. The final chapter deals with the need to fabricate small structures in electronic devices because of the advantages of cost and speed. This book is a valuable resource for scientists and engineers.

  • Abridged Thermodynamic and Thermochemical Tables

    SI Units
    • 1st Edition
    • F. D. Hamblin
    • J. H. Horlock + 1 more
    • English
    Abridged Thermodynamics and Thermochemical Tables: SI Units is a compilation of different tables that can be applied in the study of thermodynamics, physical chemistry, and gas dynamics. The book includes tables for the thermodynamic properties of different substances such as water, saturated water, steam, saturated dichluorodifluorom, dichluorodifluoromet... (freon-12), and air at low pressure; enthalpies of various gases and vapors, various hydrocarbons, as well as other various substances; logarithms of equilibrium, critical constraints for various inorganic and organic substances, different line functions for perfect gases with specific heat, and transport properties of various gases at atmospheric pressure and steam at various pressures. The text is primarily recommended for students, as its contents have been put together with the ease of students' use have been taken into consideration. However, those working in the fields who require the use of these tables as well as those who havethe occasional need for data would also find this book as an excellent reference.

  • Proceedings of the International Symposium on Thermodynamics of Alloys

    Delft, The Netherlands, June 12-13, 1980
    • 1st Edition
    • A. R. Miedema + 1 more
    • English

  • Thermodynamic Approaches in Engineering Systems

    • 1st Edition
    • Stanislaw Sieniutycz
    • English
    Thermodynamic Approaches in Engineering Systems responds to the need for a synthesizing volume that throws light upon the extensive field of thermodynamics from a chemical engineering perspective that applies basic ideas and key results from the field to chemical engineering problems. This book outlines and interprets the most valuable achievements in applied non-equilibrium thermodynamics obtained within the recent fifty years. It synthesizes nontrivial achievements of thermodynamics in important branches of chemical and biochemical engineering. Readers will gain an update on what has been achieved, what new research problems could be stated, and what kind of further studies should be developed within specialized research.

  • Fundamental Problems in Statistical Mechanics, VIII

    Proceedings of the Eighth International Summer School on Fundamental Problems in Statistical Mechanics, Altenberg, Germany, 28 June - 10 July, 1993
    • 1st Edition
    • H. Van Beijeren
    • English
    In keeping with the tradition of previous summer schools on fundamental problems in statistical mechanics, this book contains in depth treatemnts of topics of current interest in statistical mechanics and closely related fields. The topics covered include: dynamical impurity problems, quantum phase transitions, vortex liquids and glasses, quasicrystals and related aperiodic structures, pattern formation, turbulence, exactly solvable models, polymers, phase transitions in colloids, interfaces and two-dimensional gravity.

  • Thermal Physics

    Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers
    • 1st Edition
    • Robert Floyd Sekerka
    • English
    In Thermal Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers, the fundamental laws of thermodynamics are stated precisely as postulates and subsequently connected to historical context and developed mathematically. These laws are applied systematically to topics such as phase equilibria, chemical reactions, external forces, fluid-fluid surfaces and interfaces, and anisotropic crystal-fluid interfaces. Statistical mechanics is presented in the context of information theory to quantify entropy, followed by development of the most important ensembles: microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical. A unified treatment of ideal classical, Fermi, and Bose gases is presented, including Bose condensation, degenerate Fermi gases, and classical gases with internal structure. Additional topics include paramagnetism, adsorption on dilute sites, point defects in crystals, thermal aspects of intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, density matrix formalism, the Ising model, and an introduction to Monte Carlo simulation. Throughout the book, problems are posed and solved to illustrate specific results and problem-solving techniques.

  • On Clusters and Clustering

    From Atoms to Fractals
    • 1st Edition
    • P.J. Reynolds
    • English
    This book attempts to answer why there is so much interest in clusters. Clusters occur on all length scales, and as a result occur in a variety of fields. Clusters are interesting scientifically, but they also have important consequences technologically.The division of the book into three parts roughly separates the field into small, intermediate, and large-scale clusters. Small clusters are the regime of atomic and molecular physics and chemistry. The intermediate regime is the transitional regime, with its characteristics including the onset of bulk-like behavior, growth and aggregation, and the beginning of materials properties. Large-scale clusters reflect more condensed-matter and materials science aspects and it is in this regime that fractals make their most dramatic appearance.This well-integrated and pedagogical overview of the wide field of clusters in which both theoretical and experimental work is covered, will be of interest not only to students, advanced undergraduates and graduate students, but also to researchers in the various subfields surveyed.

  • Statistical Models for the Fracture of Disordered Media

    • 1st Edition
    • H.J. Herrmann + 1 more
    • English
    Since the beginning of the century the technological desire to master the fracture of metals, concrete or polymers has boosted research and has left behind an overwhelming amount of literature. In a field where it seems difficult to say anything simple and new, the editors and authors of this book have managed to do just that.The approach to fracture taken here was not conceived by mechanical engineers or material scientists. It is essentially the by-product of exciting developments that have occurred in the last ten to fifteen years within a branch of theoretical physics, called statistical physics. Concepts such as ``percolation'' and ``fractals'', as models for the properties of fracture are not often considered by engineers. A particular aim of this volume is to emphasize the fundamental role disorder plays in the breaking process.The main scope of the volume is pedagogical and is at the same time an overview of fracture mechanics for physicists and an introduction to new concepts of statistical physics for mechanics and engineers. To this end the first half of the book consists of introductory chapters and the second half contains the results that have emerged from this new approach.

  • Progress in Surface and Membrane Science

    Volume 14
    • 1st Edition
    • D. A. Cadenhead + 1 more
    • English
    Progress in Surface and Membrane Science, Volume 14 covers the advances in the study of surface and membrane science. The book discusses statistical thermodynamics of monolayer adsorption from gas and liquid mixtures on homogeneous and heterogeneous solid surfaces; and the structure of the boundary layers of liquids and its influence on the mass transfer in fine pores. The text then describes the coupling of ionic and non-electrolyte fluxes in ion selective membranes; the electrocatalytic properties of matalloporphins at the interface; and the adsorption from binary gas and liquid phases. Phase transitions in two-dimensional amphiphilic systems, as well as the wettability of solids by liquid metals are also considered. Biochemists, physicists, and people in electrochemistry research will find the book invaluable.

  • Langmuir-Blodgett Films

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 1
    • W.A. Barlow
    • English
    Topics covered range from basic structural studies to areas as diverse as electron tunneling, photovoltaic effects and solid state polymerisation.

  • The Analysis of Thermally Stimulated Processes

    • 1st Edition
    • R. Chen + 1 more
    • Brian Pamplin
    • English
    Thermally stimulated processes include a number of phenomena - either physical or chemical in nature - in which a certain property of a substance is measured during controlled heating from a 'low' temperature. Workers and graduate students in a wide spectrum of fields require an introduction to methods of extracting information from such measurements. This book gives an interdisciplinary approach to various methods which may be applied to analytical chemistry including radiation dosimetry and determination of archaeological and geological ages. In addition, recent advances are included, such as ionic thermocurrent of general order kinetics, polarization thermocurrents and some aspects of the superlinear dependence on the dose of thermoluminescence

  • Fractals in Physics

    • 1st Edition
    • L. Pietronero + 1 more
    • English
    The concepts of self-similarity and scale invariance have arisen independently in several areas. One is the study of the critical properties of phase transitions; another is fractal geometry, which involves the concept of (non-integer) fractal dimension. These two areas have now come together, and their methods have extended to various fields of physics. The purpose of this Symposium was to provide an overview of the physical phenomena that manifest scale invariance and fractal properties with the aim of bringing out the common mathematical features. The emphasis was on theoretical and experimental work related to well defined physical phenomena.

  • Kinetics of Aggregation and Gelation

    • 1st Edition
    • F. Family + 1 more
    • English
    Kinetics of Aggregation and Gelation presents the proceedings of the International Topical Conference on Kinetics of Aggregation and Gelation held on April 2-4, 1984 in Athens, Georgia. The purpose of the conference was to bring together international experts from a wide variety of backgrounds who are studying phenomena inherently similar to the formation of large clusters by the union of many separate, small elements, to present and exchange ideas on new theories and results of experimental and computer simulations. This book is divided into 57 chapters, each of which represents an oral presentation that is part of a unified whole. The book begins with a presentation on fractal concepts in aggregation and gelation, followed by presentations on topics such as aggregative fractals called ""squigs""; multi-particle fractal aggregation; theory of fractal growth processes; self-similar structures; and interface dynamics. Other chapters cover addition polymerization and related models; the kinetic gelation model; a new model of linear polymers; red cell aggregation kinetics; the Potts Model; aggregation of colloidal silica; the ballistic model of aggregation; stochastic dynamics simulation of particle aggregation; particle-cluster aggregation; kinetic clustering of clusters; computer simulations of domain growth; and perspectives in the kinetics of aggregation and gelation. This book will be of interest to practitioners in the fields of chemistry, theoretical physics, and materials engineering.

  • Thermophysics of Spacecraft and Planetary Bodies

    • 1st Edition
    • Gerhard Heller
    • English
    Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Volume 20: Thermophysics of Spacecraft and Planetary Bodies: Radiation Properties of Solids and the Electromagnetic Radiation Environment in Space is a collection of technical papers drawn mainly from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Thermophysics Specialist Conference, held in New Orleans on April 17-20, 1967. This volume is organized into six part encompassing 45 chapters that offer a selection of the most advanced studies in the dynamic field of thermophysics. Part I deals with radiation properties of solid state materials and the measuring techniques in the laboratory, while Part II describes the thermophysical properties of surfaces used for spacecraft. The papers of Part II also include solid state physics studies of the processes involved in the interaction of UV radiation with solids. Part III discusses the results of thermal flight experiments and on the radiation characteristics of planetary bodies, followed by topics on general radiative properties and the measurements of radiative properties of natural surfaces from satellites in Part IV. Part V contains papers on thermal similitude and on the closely related subject of radiant heat transfer analysis of thermal systems. Lastly, Part VI focuses on the heat transfer within the spacecraft under the conditions of space environment, specifically conductive and radiative transfer. This book is of great value to thermophysicists, space engineers and designers, as well as researchers in the fields of astronautics and aeronautics.

  • Thermal Analysis

    • 1st Edition
    • Bernhard Wunderlich
    • English
    Thermal Analysis deals with the theories of thermal analysis (thermodynamics, irreversible thermodynamics, and kinetics) as well as instrumentation and techniques (thermometry, differential thermal analysis, calorimetry, thermomechanical analysis and dilatometry, and thermogravimetry). Applications of thermal analysis are also described. This book consists of seven chapters and begins with a brief outline of the history and meaning of heat and temperature before listing the techniques of thermal analysis. The reader is then introduced to the basis of thermal analysis, paying particular attention to the macroscopic theories of matter, namely, equilibrium thermodynamics, irreversible thermodynamics, and kinetics. The next chapter discusses thermometry, focusing on the international temperature scale and the techniques of measuring temperature. Examples of heating and cooling curves are linked to the discussion of transitions. The groundwork for a detailed understanding of transition temperature is given. The chapters that follow explore the principles of differential thermal analysis, calorimetry, thermomechanical analysis and dilatometry, and thermogravimetry. This book is intended for the senior undergraduate or beginning graduate student, as well as for the researcher and teacher interested in thermal analysis.

  • Thermophysics and Temperature Control of Spacecraft and Entry Vehicles

    • 1st Edition
    • Gerhard Heller
    • English
    Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Volume 18: Thermophysics and Temperature Control of Spacecraft and Entry Vehicles is a selection of technical papers based on two American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics meetings, namely, The Thermophysics Specialist Conference, held in Monterey, California on September 13-15, 1965 and the Third Aerospace Sciences Conference, held in New York on January 1966. This book covers the most important problems of thermophysical research and technology. This volume is composed of six parts encompassing 42 chapters. Part I contains papers on the thermal radiation properties of solids, including measuring techniques for solar reflectance and infrared emittance determination, and a paper on radiative transfer. Part II deals with the lunar and planetary thermal environment and includes research papers on emissivities, reflectivities, and polarization by planetary atmospheres and planetary surfaces. Part III discusses the effects of the space environment on the optical properties of thermal control surfaces. This part also presents results of flight experiments with sensors of environmental effects and flight experience with thermal coatings of satellites. Part IV covers the thermophysical measurements of ablative materials and with the char layers formed during the actual vehicle entry period or during laboratory simulation tests. Part V looks into the two comparatively areas of thermophysics, namely, the thermal similitude (thermal modeling) and interface resistance of joints under space conditions. Part VI summarizes the practical experience in thermal design gained on spacecraft flights. Thermophysicists, space engineers and designers, and research workers who are interested in thermophysical technology will find this book invaluable.

  • Turbulence and Molecular Processes in Combustion

    • 1st Edition
    • T. Takeno
    • English
    An understanding of the intricacies in the turbulent combustion process may be a key to solving many of the current energy and environmental problems. The essential nature of turbulent combustion can be derived from the interaction between stochastic flow fluctuations and deterministic molecular processes, such as chemical reaction and transport processes. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most challenging fields of engineering science today, requiring as it does the interaction of scientists and engineers in the respective fields of chemical kinetics and fluid mechanics. The 28 papers in this volume review recent advances in these two disciplines providing new insights into the fundamental processes, addressing a great deal of recent progress. This progress ranges from descriptions of elementary chemical kinetics, to working those descriptions into combustion calculations with large numbers of elementary steps, to improved understanding of turbulent reacting flows and advances in simulations of turbulent combustion. The contributions will inspire further research on many fronts, advancing the understanding of combustion processes, as well as fostering a growing interdisciplinary cooperation.

  • Noise in Physical Systems and 1/f Noise - 1985

    • 1st Edition
    • A. d'Amico + 1 more
    • English
    These proceedings contain 11 invited papers and approximately 80 contributed papers presented at this international conference. The topics covered include: - noise theory and mechanisms, including parametric excitation in physical systems, computer simulation of Barkhausen jump field distribution and chaotic oscillations in Josephson junctions; - devices, including thermal noise in a high inductance SQUID, high frequency noise in Schottky barriers diodes and mode fluctuations in semiconductor laser; - biological systems including resistivity fluctuations in ionic solutions; - quantum noise, including properties of low temperature quantum noise and macroscopic quantum tunneling.

  • Geothermal Power Plants

    Principles, Applications, Case Studies and Environmental Impact
    • 3rd Edition
    • Ronald DiPippo
    • English
    Now in its third edition, this single resource covers all aspects of the utilization of geothermal energy for power generation using fundamental scientific and engineering principles. Its practical emphasis is enhanced by the use of case studies from real plants that increase the reader's understanding of geothermal energy conversion and provide a unique compilation of hard-to-obtain data and experience. Important new chapters cover Hot Dry Rock, Enhanced Geothermal Systems, and Deep Hydrothermal Systems. New, international case studies provide practical, hands-on knowledge.

  • Entropy Principle for the Development of Complex Biotic Systems

    Organisms, Ecosystems, the Earth
    • 1st Edition
    • Ichiro Aoki
    • English
    The concept of entropy in thermodynamics is a complex one, though it is fundamental in understanding physics, the workings of the mind, and biology. Entropy is the measure of the quality of energy, and it can also refer to the turn from order to disorder or randomness in isolated systems. In open systems, such as biology, entropy is formulated in terms of production and energy flow. This book establishes a novel view of complex biological systems and the earth using this concept of entropy, encompassing the interdisciplinary area of biology, ecology and physics. This book considers the development over time of a range of biologically complex systems such as plants, animals, humans, and ecosystems, describing them in terms of the second law of thermodynamics, entropy. With its broad coverage of biological systems, this book will be useful for students of environmental science as well as students in biology and physics.

  • Introductory Statistical Thermodynamics

    • 1st Edition
    • Nils Dalarsson + 2 more
    • English
    Introductory Statistical Thermodynamics is a text for an introductory one-semester course in statistical thermodynamics for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in physics and engineering. The book offers a high level of detail in derivations of all equations and results. This information is necessary for students to grasp difficult concepts in physics that are needed to move on to higher level courses. The text is elementary, self contained, and mathematically well-founded, containing a number of problems with detailed solutions to help students to grasp the more difficult theoretical concepts.

  • Macromolecules in Solution and Brownian Relativity

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 15
    • Stefano Antonio Mezzasalma
    • English
    Macromolecules in Solution and Brownian Relativity illustrates the recent picture of statistical physics of polymers and polymer solutions that emerges from some paradigms of contemporary science joint together. Among its principal aims are discussing the consequences of a novel self-diffusion theory, which benefits from an extension towards relativistic-like principles, and the generalization of usual concepts met in polymer science in terms of geometry alone. The monograph gives the whole fundamentals necessary to handle the view proposed, which is set in the final chapters. All the formers see about to provide the reader with a comprehensive treatation of the necessary fundamentals of classical, relativistic, quantum and statistical mechanics. Among the most important mechanical theories ever developed, a chapter on the Brownian movement and another on macromolecules prepare the ground that is specific to face universality and scaling behaviors in polymer solutions. The scope of the book is therefore two-fold: On the one hand, it wishes to involve the readers and scholars into a new research on polymer physics and chemistry. On the other, to get close chemical physicists and physical chemists to disciplines which, traditionally, are far from their direct fields of interest.

  • Complex Systems

    Lecture Notes of the Les Houches Summer School 2006
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 85
    • English
    There has been recently some interdisciplinary convergence on a number of precise topics which can be considered as prototypes of complex systems. This convergence is best appreciated at the level of the techniques needed to deal with these systems, which include: 1) A domain of research around a multiple point where statistical physics, information theory, algorithmic computer science, and more theoretical (probabilistic) computer science meet: this covers some aspects of error correcting codes, stochastic optimization algorithms, typical case complexity and phase transitions, constraint satisfaction problems. 2) The study of collective behavior of interacting agents, its impact on understanding some types of economical and financial problems, their link to population and epidemics dynamics, game theory, social, biological and computer networks and evolution.The present book is the written version of the lectures given during the Les Houches summer school session on "Complex Systems", devoted to these emerging interdisciplinary fields. The lectures consist both in a number of long methodological courses (probability theory, statistical physics of disordered systems, information theory, network structure and evolution, agent-based economics and numerical methods) and more specific, 'problem oriented' courses. Lecturers are all leading experts in their field; they have summarized recent results in a clear and authoritative manner. The "Les Houches lecture notes" have a long tradition of excellence and are often found to be useful for a number of years after they were written. The book is of interest to students and researchers with various backgrounds: probability theory, computer science, information theory, physics, finance, biology, etc.

  • Stochastic Processes in Physics and Chemistry

    • 3rd Edition
    • N.G. Van Kampen
    • English
    The third edition of Van Kampen's standard work has been revised and updated. The main difference with the second edition is that the contrived application of the quantum master equation in section 6 of chapter XVII has been replaced with a satisfactory treatment of quantum fluctuations. Apart from that throughout the text corrections have been made and a number of references to later developments have been included. From the recent textbooks the following are the most relevant.C.W.Gardine... Quantum Optics (Springer, Berlin 1991)D.T. Gillespie, Markov Processes (Academic Press, San Diego 1992)W.T. Coffey, Yu.P.Kalmykov, and J.T.Waldron, The Langevin Equation (2nd edition, World Scientific, 2004)

  • Mathematical Statistical Physics

    Lecture Notes of the Les Houches Summer School 2005
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 83
    • English
    The proceedings of the 2005 les Houches summer school on Mathematical Statistical Physics give and broad and clear overview on this fast developing area of interest to both physicists and mathematicians.

  • Chemical Thermodynamics of Zirconium

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 8
    • English
    This volume is part of the series on "Chemical Thermodynamics", published under the aegis of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. It contains a critical review of the literature on thermodynamic data for inorganic compounds of zirconium. A review team, composed of five internationally recognized experts, has critically reviewed all the scientific literature containing chemical thermodynamic information for the above mentioned systems. The results of this critical review carried out following the Guidelines of the OECD NEA Thermochemical Database Project have been documented in the present volume, which contains tables of selected values for formation and reaction thermodynamical properties and an extensive bibliography.

  • Stochastic Equations through the Eye of the Physicist

    Basic Concepts, Exact Results and Asymptotic Approximations
    • 1st Edition
    • Valery I. Klyatskin
    • English
    Fluctuating parameters appear in a variety of physical systems and phenomena. They typically come either as random forces/sources, or advecting velocities, or media (material) parameters, like refraction index, conductivity, diffusivity, etc. The well known example of Brownian particle suspended in fluid and subjected to random molecular bombardment laid the foundation for modern stochastic calculus and statistical physics. Other important examples include turbulent transport and diffusion of particle-tracers (pollutants), or continuous densities (''oil slicks''), wave propagation and scattering in randomly inhomogeneous media, for instance light or sound propagating in the turbulent atmosphere. Such models naturally render to statistical description, where the input parameters and solutions are expressed by random processes and fields. The fundamental problem of stochastic dynamics is to identify the essential characteristics of system (its state and evolution), and relate those to the input parameters of the system and initial data. This raises a host of challenging mathematical issues. One could rarely solve such systems exactly (or approximately) in a closed analytic form, and their solutions depend in a complicated implicit manner on the initial-boundary data, forcing and system's (media) parameters . In mathematical terms such solution becomes a complicated "nonlinear functional" of random fields and processes. Part I gives mathematical formulation for the basic physical models of transport, diffusion, propagation and develops some analytic tools. Part II and III sets up and applies the techniques of variational calculus and stochastic analysis, like Fokker-Plank equation to those models, to produce exact or approximate solutions, or in worst case numeric procedures. The exposition is motivated and demonstrated with numerous examples. Part IV takes up issues for the coherent phenomena in stochastic dynamical systems, described by ordinary and partial differential equations, like wave propagation in randomly layered media (localization), turbulent advection of passive tracers (clustering), wave propagation in disordered 2D and 3D media. For the sake of reader I provide several appendixes (Part V) that give many technical mathematical details needed in the book.

  • Dynamics of Stochastic Systems

    • 1st Edition
    • Valery I. Klyatskin
    • English
    Fluctuating parameters appear in a variety of physical systems and phenomena. They typically come either as random forces/sources, or advecting velocities, or media (material) parameters, like refraction index, conductivity, diffusivity, etc. The well known example of Brownian particle suspended in fluid and subjected to random molecular bombardment laid the foundation for modern stochastic calculus and statistical physics. Other important examples include turbulent transport and diffusion of particle-tracers (pollutants), or continuous densities (''oil slicks''), wave propagation and scattering in randomly inhomogeneous media, for instance light or sound propagating in the turbulent atmosphere. Such models naturally render to statistical description, where the input parameters and solutions are expressed by random processes and fields. The fundamental problem of stochastic dynamics is to identify the essential characteristics of system (its state and evolution), and relate those to the input parameters of the system and initial data. This raises a host of challenging mathematical issues. One could rarely solve such systems exactly (or approximately) in a closed analytic form, and their solutions depend in a complicated implicit manner on the initial-boundary data, forcing and system's (media) parameters . In mathematical terms such solution becomes a complicated "nonlinear functional" of random fields and processes. Part I gives mathematical formulation for the basic physical models of transport, diffusion, propagation and develops some analytic tools. Part II sets up and applies the techniques of variational calculus and stochastic analysis, like Fokker-Plank equation to those models, to produce exact or approximate solutions, or in worst case numeric procedures. The exposition is motivated and demonstrated with numerous examples. Part III takes up issues for the coherent phenomena in stochastic dynamical systems, described by ordinary and partial differential equations, like wave propagation in randomly layered media (localization), turbulent advection of passive tracers (clustering). Each chapter is appended with problems the reader to solve by himself (herself), which will be a good training for independent investigations.

  • Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

    Equilibrium by Entropy Maximisation
    • 1st Edition
    • Phil Attard
    • English
    The account of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics in Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics is based on entropy and its maximization. Building from first principles, it gives a transparent explanation of the physical behaviour of equilibrium thermodynamic systems, and it presents a comprehensive, self-contained account of the modern mathematical and computational techniques of statistical mechanics. This field of study is of vital importance to researchers, lecturers and students alike. Dr Attard is a well-known researcher in statistical mechanics who has made significant contributions to this field. His book offers a fresh perspective on the foundations of statistical thermodynamics. It includes a number of new results and novel derivations, and provides an intriguing alternative to existing monographs. Especially of note are the simple graphs and figures that illustrate the text throughout and the logical organization of the material. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics will be an invaluable and comprehensive reference manual for research scientists. This text can be used as a complement to existing texts and for supplementary reading.

  • Statistical Mechanics

    An Introduction
    • 1st Edition
    • D H Trevena
    • English
    Thirty years' teaching experience have been condensed into this concise introductory book on Statistical Mechanics. Ideal for second and third year undergraduates in physics, applied mathematics, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, metallurgy, materials science and polymer science.

  • Index

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 20
    • English
    The field of phase transitions and critical phenomena continues to be active in research, producing a steady stream of interesting and fruitful results. It has moved into a central place in condensed matter studies.Statistical physics, and more specifically, the theory of transitions between states of matter, more or less defines what we know about 'everyday' matter and its transformations.The major aim of this serial is to provide review articles that can serve as standard references for research workers in the field, and for graduate students and others wishing to obtain reliable information on important recent developments.

  • Chemical Thermodynamics: Principles and Applications

    Principles and Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • J. Bevan Ott + 1 more
    • English
    Chemical Thermodynamics: Principles and Applications presents a thorough development of the principles of thermodynamics--an old science to which the authors include the most modern applications, along with those of importance in developing the science and those of historical interest. The text is written in an informal but rigorous style, including ancedotes about some of the great thermodynamicists (with some of whom the authors have had a personal relationship), and focuses on "real" systems in the discussion and figures, in contrast to the generic examples that are often used in other textbooks. The book provides a basic review of thermodynamic principles, equations, and applications of broad interest. It covers the development of thermodynamics as one of the pre-eminent examples of an exact science. A discussion of the standard state that emphasizes its significance and usefulness is also included, as well as a more rigorous and indepth treatment of thermodynamics and discussions of a wider variety of applications than are found in more broadly based physical chemistry undergraduate textbooks. Combined with its companion book, Chemical Thermodynamics: Advanced Applications, the practicing scientist will have a complete reference set detailing chemical thermodynamics.

  • Applications of Statistical Physics

    • 1st Edition
    • A. Gadomski + 3 more
    • English
    The field of statistical physics has undergone a spectacular development in recent years. The fundamentals of the subject have advanced dynamically with multidisciplinary approaches involving physicists, chemists and mathematicians. Equally spectacular has been the development of applications of statistical mechanics to shed light on a wide range of problems, many of them arising in fields quite distant from traditional physics disciplines. Recent applications range from such topics as oil recovery from porous rock to protein folding, DNA structure, morphogenesis and the cooperative behavior of living creatures. Concepts and methods of statistical physics have been applied successfully to "exotic" problems that seem to be far from physics, such as vehicular and pedestrial traffic, or economy and finance. This book presents not only the keynote invited talks, but a number of high quality, interesting, contributed communications from senior scientists and young students active in the field. Topics covered include DNA migration, wetting, chemical waves, granular media, molecular motors, biological pattern formation and motion, as well as practical problems such as heart diagnosis, internet traffic jamming, oil recovery and econophysics.

  • Advanced Thermodynamics for Engineers

    • 1st Edition
    • D. Winterbone + 1 more
    • English
    Although the basic theories of thermodynamics are adequately covered by a number of existing texts, there is little literature that addresses more advanced topics. In this comprehensive work the author redresses this balance, drawing on his twenty-five years of experience of teaching thermodynamics at undergraduate and postgraduate level, to produce a definitive text to cover thoroughly, advanced syllabuses.The book introduces the basic concepts which apply over the whole range of new technologies, considering: a new approach to cycles, enabling their irreversibility to be taken into account; a detailed study of combustion to show how the chemical energy in a fuel is converted into thermal energy and emissions; an analysis of fuel cells to give an understanding of the direct conversion of chemical energy to electrical power; a detailed study of property relationships to enable more sophisticated analyses to be made of both high and low temperature plant and irreversible thermodynamics, whose principles might hold a key to new ways of efficiently covering energy to power (e.g. solar energy, fuel cells). Worked examples are included in most of the chapters, followed by exercises with solutions. By developing thermodynamics from an explicitly equilibrium perspective, showing how all systems attempt to reach a state of equilibrium, and the effects of these systems when they cannot, the result is an unparalleled insight into the more advanced considerations when converting any form of energy into power, that will prove invaluable to students and professional engineers of all disciplines.

  • Statistical Methods for Physical Science

    • 1st Edition
    • English
    This volume of Methods of Experimental Physics provides an extensive introduction to probability and statistics in many areas of the physical sciences, with an emphasis on the emerging area of spatial statistics. The scope of topics covered is wide-ranging-the text discusses a variety of the most commonly used classical methods and addresses newer methods that are applicable or potentially important. The chapter authors motivate readers with their insightful discussions.

  • Statistical Mechanics

    • 1st Edition
    • R. Kubo + 3 more
    • English
    Statistical Mechanics provides a series of concise lectures on the fundamental theories of statistical mechanics, carefully chosen examples and a number of problems with complete solutions. Modern physics has opened the way for a thorough examination of infra-structure of nature and understanding of the properties of matter from an atomistic point of view. Statistical mechanics is an essential bridge between the laws of nature on a microscopic scale and the macroscopic behaviour of matter. A good training in statistical mechanics thus provides a basis for modern physics and is indispensable to any student in physics, chemistry, biophysics and engineering sciences who wishes to work in these rapidly developing scientific and technological fields. The collection of examples and problems is comprehensive. The problems are grouped in order of increasing difficulty.

  • Synergetics and Dynamic Instabilities

    • 1st Edition
    • G. Caglioti + 2 more
    • English
    This collection of papers presented at the Enrico Fermi School considers the subject of synergetics as a firmly established field of interdisciplinary research, ranging from physics, chemistry and biology, to subjects like economy and sociology. These proceedings focus on the natural sciences.

  • Electric Propulsion Development

    • 1st Edition
    • Ernst Stuhlinger
    • English
    Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Volume 9: Electric Propulsion Development covers the proceedings of the Second Electric Propulsion Conference of the American Rocker Society, held in Berkeley, California on March 14-16, 1962. The conference focuses on the existing problems in electric propulsion and their possible solutions. This book is organized into four sections encompassing 35 chapters. The first section deals with the thermodynamics of arcs; the problems of heat and momentum transfer; the chemical processes within arcs; the arc system materials; and the arc jet design problems. The second section considers the problems of ion systems, the various ion sources, and the neutralization of ion beams. This section also looks into the basic ionization processes, the production and charging of heavy particles, the corrosive properties of cesium, and the ion-optical designs. The third section describes various plasma systems, including helical transmission lines, pulsed pinch accelerators, coaxial systems, and j x B accelerators. The theoretical analyses of these systems are briefly examined. The fourth section includes papers on flight testing of electric propulsion models, on vertical rocket probes, and on satellites, This section also discusses some advanced concepts in electric propulsion, such as air scooping during ascent through the atmosphere, systems design and optimization, and planetary and interplanetary missions. This book is of great value to physicists, space engineers and designers, as well as researchers in the fields of astronautics and aeronautics.