This fully updated and expanded new edition continues to provide the most readable, concise, and easy-to-follow introduction to thermal physics. While maintaining the style of the original work, the book now covers statistical mechanics and incorporates worked examples systematically throughout the text. It also includes more problems and essential updates, such as discussions on superconductivity, magnetism, Bose-Einstein condensation, and climate change. Anyone needing to acquire an intuitive understanding of thermodynamics from first principles will find this third edition indispensable.

Andrew Rex is professor of physics at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. He is author of several textbooks and the popular science book, Commonly Asked Questions in Physics.

About the Author

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Andrew Rex is professor of physics at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. He received the his B.A. in physics from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1977 and the his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Virginia in 1982. At Virginia he worked under the direction of Bascom S. Deaver, Jr. on the development of new superconducting materials. After completing requirements for the his Ph.D. he joined the faculty at Puget Sound.

Dr. Rex's primary research interest is in the foundations of the second law of thermodynamics. He has published research articles and, jointly with Harvey Leff, two comprehensive monographs on the subject of Maxwell's demon (1990, 2003). Dr. Rex has co-authored several widely used textbooks: Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers (1993, 2000, 2006, 2013), Integrated Physics and Calculus (2000), and Essential College Physics (2010), and the popular science book Commonly Asked Questions in Physics, also published by Taylor & Francis / CRC Press.

Dr. Rex has served in administrative roles, including chair of his department and Director of the University of Puget Sound Honors Program. He is devoted to physics education and has been an active participant in the American Association of Physics Teachers, the Society of Physics Students, Sigma Pi Sigma, and Sigma Xi. In 2004 Dr. Rex was recognized for his teaching with the President's Award for Teaching Excellence.

Reviews

"statistical physics... is a welcome addition to what has become one of the classic thermodynamics textbooks"
-Dr. Kevin Donovan, Queen Mary, University of London

"Finn's text has always been a favourite because of its uncluttered style and the way it anticipates where students will run into problems. This new edition fills out the statistical mechanics coverage of the book, making it again a competitive choice for the way thermodynamics is taught today."
-Dr. Carl Michal, University of British Columbia

"an excellent update and refresh of Finn's classic text. The original content is enhanced by a clearer, more digestible presentation. Additional insights are given to some particularly tricky concepts.... The new chapters on introductory and quantum statistical mechanics expand the book's coverage to encompass all the key topics in undergraduate thermal physics."
-Dr Tim Veal, University of Liverpool

"an excellent general undergraduate textbook.... The inclusion of chapters on classical and quantum statistical mechanics, which are typically not covered in thermodynamics
texts, is particularly welcome. Though the book is mainly aimed at students in physics the treatment of open steady-state flow systems (allowing for the treatment of turbines, compressors and
throttles) makes the book relevant to the teaching of thermodynamics in an engineering context as well."
-Prof. George Jackson, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London

"a welcome revision. The addition of material on statistical thermodynamics and quantum statistics, coupled with the excellent treatment of thermodynamic potentials, makes for a well written course text. Suitable for advanced undergrad of graduate students in applied physics, engineering and anyone interested in a scientific approach to thermal science that accompanies standard mechanical engineering thermo quite well."
-Kevin Lyons, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, NC State University

Book Information
ISBN 9781498718875
Author Andrew Rex
Format Paperback
Page Count 386
Imprint CRC Press Inc
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
Weight(grams) 1250g