Statistical Physics

The central question of Statistical Physics is how macroscopic observables can be deduced from the microscopic structure. The answer is illuminated by the formulas on the front cover of the book: The partition functions on the right-hand sides (like Z) are defined microscopically. The left-hand sides display the respective macroscopic equilibrium observables (like the entropy S or the free energy F). The first equation is the most famous one: In the form S = k log W it is depicted on Boltzmann’s tombstone. Some major topics of the book are: -- Introduction to mathematical statistics including law of large numbers and central limit theorem. -- Fundamentals of Statistical Physics -- Thermodynamics and state variables -- Statistical ensembles -- Evaluation of a partition function for special systems: Spin systems, classical systems (real and ideal gases), quantum gases (He4, photons, phonons) -- Phase transitions, Landau theory and critical exponents -- Kinetic gas model: Transport coefficients