Statistical Mechanics in a Nutshell (Hardcover)

Statistical mechanics is one of the most exciting areas of physics today, and it also has applications to subjects as diverse as economics, social behavior, algorithmic theory, and evolutionary biology. Statistical Mechanics in a Nutshell offers the most concise, self-contained introduction to this rapidly developing field. Requiring only a background in elementary calculus and elementary mechanics, this book starts with the basics, introduces the most important developments in classical statistical mechanics over the last thirty years, and guides readers to the very threshold of today's cutting-edge research.

Statistical Mechanics in a Nutshell zeroes in on the most relevant and promising advances in the field, including the theory of phase transitions, generalized Brownian motion and stochastic dynamics, the methods underlying Monte Carlo simulations, complex systems--and much, much more. The essential resource on the subject, this book is the most up-to-date and accessible introduction available for graduate students and advanced undergraduates seeking a succinct primer on the core ideas of statistical mechanics.

• Provides the most concise, self-contained introduction to statistical mechanics
• Focuses on the most promising advances, not complicated calculations
• Requires only elementary calculus and elementary mechanics
• Guides readers from the basics to the threshold of modern research
• Highlights the broad scope of applications of statistical mechanics

統計力學是當今物理學中最令人興奮的領域之一，它也應用於經濟學、社會行為學、演算法理論和進化生物學等各種學科。《統計力學概論》是對這個快速發展領域最簡潔、自成一體的介紹。本書只需要讀者具備基礎微積分和基礎力學的背景，從基礎知識開始，介紹了過去三十年來古典統計力學中最重要的發展，並引導讀者走向當今尖端研究的門檻。

《統計力學概論》聚焦於該領域最相關和最有前景的進展，包括相變理論、廣義布朗運動和隨機動力學、蒙特卡羅模擬的基礎方法、複雜系統等等。作為這一主題的重要資源，本書是研究生和高年級本科生尋求對統計力學核心思想簡明入門的最新、最易於理解的介紹。

- 提供最簡潔、自成一體的統計力學介紹
- 聚焦於最有前景的進展，而非複雜的計算
- 只需要基礎微積分和基礎力學
- 引導讀者從基礎知識走向現代研究的門檻
- 強調統計力學廣泛的應用範圍