Reinhard Hentschke

This textbook provides a concise and transparently structured one-semester course in polymer physics - the science, in addition to polymer chemistry, behind a class of ubiquitous materials. It covers all major theoretical concepts and their applications in six chapters, including the conformations of chains, the thermodynamics of mixtures, solutions and networks, and the dynamics of polymers. Selected topics highlight aspects of polymer mechanics, the role of particulate fillers, stable and labile liquid crystal polymers, and polyelectrolytes. Solved problems deepen and extend important points that are explained in the main chapters. The emphasis is on the derivation of the results and not on their mere presentation. If a result can be obtained using different theoretical methods or viewed from a different angle, an attempt is made to explain the relationships between the methods as clearly as possible. In addition, the validation of theoretical results through suitable experiments is always included. All this assumes a certain familiarity with statistical thermodynamics and its mathematics, which means that the text is best suited for upper undergraduate level.

Concise, detailed, and transparently structured, this upper-level undergraduate textbook is an excellent resource for a one-semester course on thermodynamics for students majoring in physics, chemistry, or materials science. Throughout the seven chapters and three-part appendix, students benefit from numerous practical examples and solved problems ranging in broad scope from cosmic to molecular evolution; cloud formation to rubber elasticity; and Carnot engines to Monte Carlo simulation of phase equilibria.Lauded in Physics Today as “a valuable resource for students and faculty”, Hentschke’s Thermodynamics presents in this long-anticipated second edition new and extended coverage of a range of topical material, such as thermodynamics of the universe and atmospheric thermodynamics, while also featuring a more application-oriented treatment of surfaces, interfaces, and polymers. Touching on subjects throughout soft-matter physics, superconductors, and complex fluids, this textbook delivers the foundation and breadth of scope necessary to prepare undergraduate students for further study in this timeless yet ever-changing field.

Unlike most traditional introductory textbooks on relativity and cosmology that answer questions like “Does accelerated expansion pull our bodies apart?”, “Does the presence of dark matter affect the classical tests of general relativity?” in a qualitative manner, the present text is intended as a foundation, enabling students to read and understand the textbooks and many of the scientific papers on the subject. And, above all, the readers are taught and encouraged to do their own calculations, check the numbers and answer the above and other questions regarding the most exciting discoveries and theoretical developments in general relativistic cosmology, which have occurred since the early 1980s. In comparison to these intellectual benefits the text is short. In fact, its brevity without neglect of scope or mathematical accessibility of key points is rather unique. The authors connect the necessary mathematical concepts and their reward, i.e. the understanding of an important pieceof modern physics, along the shortest path.The unavoidable mathematical concepts and tools are presented in as straightforward manner as possible. Even though the mathematics is not very difficult, it certainly is beneficial to know some statistical thermodynamics as well as some quantum mechanics. Thus the text is suitable for the upper undergraduate curriculum.

This textbook teaches classical mechanics as one of the foundations of physics. It describes the mechanical stability and motion in physical systems ranging from the molecular to the galactic scale. Aside from the standard topics of mechanics in the physics curriculum, this book includes an introduction to the theory of elasticity and its use in selected modern engineering applications, e.g. dynamic mechanical analysis of viscoelastic materials. The text also covers many aspects of numerical mechanics, ranging from the solution of ordinary differential equations, including molecular dynamics simulation of many particle systems, to the finite element method. Attendant Mathematica programs or parts thereof are provided in conjunction with selected examples. Numerous links allow the reader to connect to related subjects and research topics. Among others this includes statistical mechanics (separate chapter), quantum mechanics, space flight, galactic dynamics, friction, and vibration spectroscopy. An introductory chapter compiles all essential mathematical tools, ranging from coordinates to complex numbers. Completely solved problems and examples facilitate a thorough understanding of the material.

Das Lehrbuch ist der optimale Einstieg in die aktuellen Fragen der Thermodynamik und Statistischer Physik. Dabei vollzieht es einen Br ckenschlag zwischen Physik, Chemie und den Materialwissenschaften. Didaktisch besonders ergiebig sind die zahlreichen Beispielaufgaben (mit L sungen), wobei den numerischen L sungen die entsprechenden MATHEMATICA-Programme beigef gt sind. Damit ist der Band zugleich auch eine Einf hrung in die rechnergest tzten Methoden der statistischen Physik. Neben den Grundlagen des Fachs widmet sich das Buch Themen wie Phasen berg ngen, Systemen ohne direkte Wechselwirkung, Fluktuationen sowie Anwendungen von Monte-Carlo-Simulationen. Ziemlich umfangreich sind auch die Ausf hrungen zur Physik der Weichen Materie. Dies entspricht dem enormen Bedeutungszuwachs, den der Bereich in den letzten Jahren erlebt hat. Bei der Darstellung dieses Grenzgebiets zwischen Physik, Physikalischer Chemie und den Materialwissenschaften steht sein interdisziplin rer Charakter im Vordergrund. Studenten wie Dozenten d rfte die jederzeit klare und jederzeit verst ndliche Darstellung berzeugen. Aufgabenstellungen und deren L sungen sind die gro e St rke des Buches. Didaktisch besonders wertvoll werden diese nicht zuletzt durch die Integration von MATHEMATICA in die numerischen L sungen. So dienen die Aufgaben nicht nur der Vertiefung des Gelernten, sondern bieten Studenten auch Gelegenheit, sich mit rechnergest tzten Methoden der statistischen Physik vertraut zu machen. Und wer seine Kenntnisse dar ber hinaus erg nzen und vertiefen m chte, wird im kommentierten Literaturverzeichnis f ndig.