Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Classical Theoretical Physics)

In my opinion, this is the best book on phenomenological thermodynamics and statistical physics. The material is presented as a historical development, which greatly helps understanding. Mathematical steps are provided in great detail without skipping any steps. Practically useful examples are worked through to the concrete answers. Important hint to the readers: do not gloss over the examples, they fulfill the theory with actual meaning.

Greiner does it again! The authors do an excellent job of setting up the necessary math and then comprehensively going over the concepts with you. There is a lot of concepts in this text that are given at an introductory to statistical mechanics level for those who did not have an undergraduate course in statistical mechanics. It's relatively low level but it really helps you get the basics and it's very readable.

A slightly better graduate text is that by Pathria which is in its second edition. It is fairly clear that Greiner has borrowed heavily from Pathria's approach. Greiner's book is more comfortable to look at and read though.Greiner does not include a single reference in this book. I would like to point out that if this were an article submitted to a scientific journal, it would be rejected out of hand for this egregious lack of attribution. This is particularly bothersome with regard to comparing experiment with theory. Mr. Bromley, who wrote the preface, states that these comparisons are a plus for the book. While true, this is hardly unique. Every stat mech book I have quotes experimental results, but the others also cite the reference to the original work. This gives students (and teachers) the ability to look at the experimental work and to get the data for themselves, and it gives credit to those who did the work.What could have been a much better text is marred by too many typos and references to incorrect equation numbers. As well, I find that some "derivations", again contrary to a statement by Bromley, are of the "it can be seen that" variety, which is odd in a text which does go into some detail on many things, e.g. the derivation of the partition function for an ideal gas in the microcanonical ensemble. An example of a non-derivation is given in the discussion that follows eqn 7.67 which arbitrarily splits the velocity distribution into 3 multiplicative pieces. Since the big new thing for a student in this subject is the use of probability, it would have been much more appropriate to find the one-dimensional velocity distribution by integrating the 3d distribution over two of the components. There are other places in the book where the author fails to use this approach. Students find this confusing, I find it inconsistent. As it stands, the formula is correct, but there is not even a hint that it should be derived or questioned.I found the discussion of the purely classical derivation, the semiclassical derivation, and the quantum derivation of various quantities such as the IG partition function to be a bit confusing at times particularly when the Gibbs factor and the quantum correction h^3N were involved, perhaps it is just me. I would find it better if each derivation were given separately with a summary at the end. This would be more helpful, since some of the later derivations, e.g. Maxwell-Boltzmann are essentially classical in nature and could be arrived at from any of the formulas.On the other hand I found Chapter 12 on the Grand Canonical Ensemble to be excellent, especially the discussion of the distribution of occupation numbers on p. 308ff, an important topic that is not often discussed in Stat Mech books.All in all, though, this would be good book with a little more care and with an appropriate reference list. If you get it, pay attention as you read it.

Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Classical Theoretical Physics) by Walter Greiner is suitable for third year undergraduate students but in some universities, it may also be used as a review textbook for graduate level physics. While this textbook may not be as popular as those by Reif, Pathria, Huang or Roy, it is a good resource that explains concepts clearly. The book can be divided into three main parts thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and quantum statistics. I believe this textbook is comprehensive and covers all the important topics in statistical mechanics. You won't regret buying it.

It would be wrong to give it a five star rating, since it has too many elementary misgivings: There are inconsistencies in the notation, it's plagued with typos, and it doesn't give a list of additional problems, and references. On the other hand, its virtues highly compensate them. The book is very easy to read in general, provides a wide collection of examples and solved problems, and is an excellent introduction to statistical mechanics.

great

College Level/ First Year Graduate SchoolThis book , like many others Greiner's outstanding physics volumes, is a Jewel !Clearly written, with examples and solved problems, thoroughly covering the essential material (and much more!)I wish the text book had been available when I went to College/Graduate School !

A really good graduate level text that was useful as a supplement for my stat mech class. Lots of worked examples, would be great for self study also. Greiner's field theory book is a good one too.