Editorial Review:
A macroscopic system consists of a tremendous number of microscopic atoms and molecules. In thermal equilibrium the state of such a system is uniquely defined, despite the fact that the microscopic particles behave quite randomly. This observation gives rise to the fundamental law of the statistical physics; it allows entropy to be defined and a framework for the theory to be constructed but cannot be derived form quantum mechanics or force laws. Introduction to Statistical Physics seeks to explain the laws of the macroscopic level to undergraduate students learning them for the first time. The first part of this book explains the essence of statistical physics without going into details such as Liouville’s theorem or ergodic theorem, which are difficult for beginners and unnecessary for actual application of the statistical mechanics. In the second part, statistical mechanics ís applied to various systems which look different but have the same mathematical structure, in particular, features applications to quantum dynamics, thermodynamics, Ising model and statistical dynamics of free spins. Advanced topics in phase transitions and dense gases conclude the text, plus helpful appendices.
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Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: 
Barely Useful 2008-03-05
This book is not good. The chapters are extremely short, and as a result the entire book is weak. There are very few connections between equations. At times, it seems as if Yoshioka pulls the equations (and material) out of thin air. Some of the equations he puts in are also of rare form and, in my experience, nearly useless in learning Statistical Mechanics.
I am forced to use this book for a graduate level Statistical Mechanics course, and I find myself running back to my undergraduate text, Daniel Schroeder's 'Thermal Physics' for reference to EVERYTHING that Yoshioka has missed (which is just about everything important for developing a good sense of stat mech).
I would heavily NOT recommend this book for anyone, student, teacher, or self learner. There are far better books to use than this one.
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