1st Edition

Classical Physics of Matter

By J Bolton Copyright 2000
    232 Pages
    by CRC Press

    234 Pages
    by CRC Press

    Classical Physics of Matter explores the properties of matter that can be explained more or less directly in terms of classical physics. Among the topics discussed are the principles of flight and the operation of engines and refrigerators. The discussion introduces ideas such as temperature, heat, and entropy that will take you beyond Newtonian mechanics and into the realm of thermodynamics and statistical physics.

    INTRODUCTION

    FROM ATOMS TO THE PHASES OF MATTER
    A puzzle
    Atoms: the building blocks of matter
    Atomic descriptions of the phases of matter
    Macroscopic variables
    Macroscopic equilibrium in ideal gases
    Macroscopic descriptions of the phases of matter

    MICROSCOPIC MODELS OF GASES
    Introduction
    Chance and probability
    The pressure of gas
    Distributions of speed and translational energy in gases
    Statistical mechanics
    The equipartition of energy
    Closing items

    THERMODYNAMICS AND ENTROPY
    Engine efficiency-an effect of thermodynamics
    The first law of thermodynamics
    The second law of thermodynamics
    Entropy, engines and refrigerators
    Closing items

    THE PHYSICS OF FLUIDS
    Introduction
    Fluids at rest
    Ideal fluids in motion
    Non-ideal fluids in motion
    Flight
    Closing items

    CONSOLIDATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
    Introduction
    Overview of Chapters 1 to 4
    Writing precise physical statements
    Basic skills and knowledge test
    Interactive questions
    Physica problems

    Answer and comments
    Acknowledgments
    Index

    Biography

    J Bolton