Thermal physics
by Charles Kittel · first published 1969
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You may want to read 'Thermal Physics' by Kittel and Kromer. It is the BIBLE of statistical mechanics and should straighten you out on why a statistical law is just as good as all others. And yes, it goes into great detail about when and…
on “Argonne researchers posit way to locally circumvent Second Law of Thermodynamics” ↗I know many hated it, but thermodynamics never clicked for me until I read the book by Kittel/Kroemer. (You probably should know basic QM first, though) https://www.amazon.com/Thermal-Physics-2nd-Charles-Kittel/dp...
on “Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics” ↗…in every area of physics, so a course focused around them has a huge number of applications. 5. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by Griffiths. The best introduction to the topic you will find! 6. Thermal Physics by Kittel & Kroemer. I haven't actually found an introductory book on statistical physics that I'm crazy about, but this one isn't too bad. That should last you some time. But once you're through with…
on “Ask HN: How to self-study physics?” ↗A similar derivation is given in the first edition of Kittel’s Thermal Physics, as well as in the Quantum Mechanics book by Griffiths IIRC.
on “How thick is the atmosphere? A derivation of the Boltzmann distribution” ↗…syllabus advisory committee. This made a huge difference. I liked Statistical Mechanics in college. I read Blundell and Blundell for it along with an unusual book as a reference- https://www.amazon.com/Thermal-Physics-Thermodynamics-Statis... . How Math explains the physical world so prominently blew my mind. I loved it. I also watched Calculus video from MIT-OCW when in HS. I switched to Deep Learning after college.…
on “Ask HN: Books that made you fascinated to learn more mathematics?” ↗