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

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@hep.anl.gov>]

	My chemistry friends use Chandler,Introduction to Modern 
Statistical Mechanics (Oxford 1987), and I have recentlyd discovered - and 
enjoyed - Equilibrium and Non-equilibrium Statistical Thermodynamics, Le 
Bellac, et al. (Cambridge 2004).  I think you will find both of them a 
pleasant surprise.
		Regards,
			Jack


"Trust me.  I have a lot of experience at this."
		General Custer's unremembered message to his men,
		just before leading them into the Little Big Horn Valley




On Tue, 7 Dec 2010, Derek McKenzie wrote:

> 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
>
>
>
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