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Re: [Phys-l] The Abysmal Foundations of Thermodynamics

Reif is a good text, I used it as an undergraduate text, and they used it as an undergraduate text where I went to graduate school and neither one of those schools were top 20. So I view it as definitely undergraduate level (upper division).

_________________________

Joel Rauber, Ph.D 
Professor and Head of Physics
Department of Physics
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
Joel.Rauber@sdstate.edu
605.688.5428 (w)
605.688.5878 (fax)


-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of curtis osterhoudt
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 9:41 AM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] The Abysmal Foundations of Thermodynamics

I used Callen in grad. school, and quite liked it. Recently, I've been
reviewing
books for my own use, and for possible teaching, and was suggested to
look at
Fred Reif's "Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics". So far, I
think
it's an excellent book (though probably not for an undergraduate class),
but I
haven't been able to read through most of it yet. What do others think
of the
book?


/**************************************
"The four points of the compass be logic, knowledge, wisdom and the
unknown.
Some do bow in that final direction. Others advance upon it. To bow
before the
one is to lose sight of the three. I may submit to the unknown, but
never to the
unknowable." ~~Roger Zelazny, in "Lord of Light"
***************************************/


-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Derek McKenzie
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 1:33 AM
To: physl
Subject: [Phys-l] The Abysmal Foundations of Thermodynamics


For some years now I have been frustrated by the lack of a text
providing an intellectually rigorous and satisfying foundation for
Thermodynamics. The subjects brought up frequently on this list
reinforce this frustration.

Although all branches of physics are, IMHO, generally taught poorly,
one
can find, if determined, a handful of excellent treatments of most
physics topics in text books and journal articles, however
Thermodynamics seems to me to be an exception.

John Denker's notes are an excellent resource, but obviously not
intended to be the sort of self-contained treatise I am looking for. I
recently came across a text that is incredibly thorough in intent, but
which differs so much from convention that I'm not sure if I can trust
it or not. It's called 'Thermodynamics - Foundations and Applications'
by Elias P. Gyftopoulos and Gian Paolo Beretta. I'd be very interested
in hearing what any of you have to say about that work.

To get to my point, can any of you please refer me to a text, or a
collection of journal articles, or even a website, that treats
Thermodynamics with the logical consistency and conceptual clarity
that
is missing from virtually every resource I have ever encountered?

Failing that, can John Denker please tell me when he is going to write
one? ;-)

I am EXTREMELY keen to hear your thoughts on this one, as it is a
glaring hole in physics education at the moment.

All the best,

Derek



_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
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_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l




_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l