This textbook provides an exposition of equilibrium thermodynamics and its applications to several areas of physics with particular attention to phase transitions and critical phenomena. The applications include several areas of condensed matter physics and include also a chapter on thermochemistry. Phase transitions and critical phenomena are treated according to the modern development of the field, based on the ideas of universality and on the Widom scaling theory. For each topic, a mean-field or Landau theory is presented to describe qualitatively the phase transitions. These theories include the van der Waals theory of the liquid-vapor transition, the Hildebrand-Heitler theory of regular mixtures, the Griffiths-Landau theory for multicritical points in multicomponent systems, the Bragg-Williams theory of order-disorder in alloys, the Weiss theory of ferromagnetism, the Néel theory of antiferromagnetism, the Devonshire theory for ferroelectrics and Landau-de Gennes theory of liquidcrystals.
This new edition presents expanded sections on phase transitions, liquid crystals and magnetic systems, for all problems detailed solutions are provided. It is intended for students in physics and chemistry and provides a unique combination of thorough theoretical explanation and presentation of applications in both areas. Chapter summaries, highlighted essentials and problems with solutions enable a self sustained approach and deepen the knowledge. It is intended for students in physics and chemistry and provides a unique combination of thorough theoretical explanation and presentation of applications in both areas. Chapter summaries, highlighted essentials and problems with solutions enable a self sustained approach and deepen the knowledge.

Offers an ideal mixture of thorough theoretical explanation and applications in several areas of physics and chemistry Contains many examples, each accompanied by it's precise physical background, as well as problems and exercises to deepen the knowledge New edition presents is updated and contains up-to-date references for each topic at the end of the book which are valuable for further studies of the subject

Autorentext

Prof. Dr. Mário José de Oliveira has studied physics at the University of Sao Paulo (Brasil) and at the Carnegie-Mellon University (USA). He has more than 25 years of teaching experience at the University of Sao Paulo in condensed matter physics and thermodynamics. His research interests are phase transitions, critical phenomena and stochastic dynamics.

Inhalt
Introduction.- Joule Principle.- Carnot Principle.- Clausius-Gibbs Principle.- Thermodynamic Potentials.- Thermodynamic Identities.- Nernst-Planck Principle.- Phase Transition.- Criticality.- Mixtures.- Binary Mixtures.- Phase Diagrams.- Order-Disorder Transition.- Magnetic Systems.- Magnetic Ordering.- Dielectrics.- Solids.- Liquid Crystals.- Thermal Radiation.- Thermochemistry.- Appendix.- Index.