文档介绍:A GUIDE
TO PHYSICS
PROBLEMS
part 2
Thermodynamics,
Statistical Physics, and
Quantum Mechanics
part 2
Thermodynamics,
Statistical Physics, and
Quantum Mechanics
Sidney B. Cahn
New York University
New York, New York
Gerald D. Mahan
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee, and
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
and
Boris E. Nadgorny
Naval Research Laboratory
Washington, .
KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS
NEW YORK, BOSTON, DORDRECHT, LONDON, MOSCOW
eBook ISBN: 0-306-48401-3
Print ISBN: 0-306-45291-X
©2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers
New York, Boston, Dordrecht, London, Moscow
Print ©1997 Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers
New York
All rights reserved
No part of this eBook may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without written consent from the Publisher
Created in the United States of America
Visit Kluwer Online at:
and Kluwer's eBookstore at: http://ebooks.
Foreword
It is only rarely realized how important the design of suitable, interesting
problems is in the educational process. This is true for the professor — who
periodically makes up exams and problem sets which test the effectiveness
of his teaching — and also for the student — who must match his skills
and acquired knowledge against these same problems. There is a great need
for challenging problems in all scientific fields, but especially so in physics.
Reading a physics paper requires familiarity and control of techniques which
can only be obtained by serious practice in solving problems. Confidence
in performing research demands a mastery of detailed technology which
requires training, concentration, and reflection — again, gained only by
working exercises.
In spite of the obvious need, there is very little systematic effort made
to provide balanced, doable problems that do more than gratify the ego of
the professor. Problems often are routine applic