Elementary Lectures in Statistical Mechanics

The presentation begins with the fundamental ideas of averages and ens embles, focusing on classical systems described by continuous variable s such as position and momentum, and using the ideal gas as an example . It then turns to quantum systems, beginning with diatomic molecules and working up through blackbody radiation and chemical equilibria. Th e discussion of equilibrium properties of systems of interacting parti cles includes such techniques as cluster expansions and distribution f unctions and uses non-ideal gases, liquids, and solutions as examples. Dynamic behavior - treated more extensively than in other texts - is discussed from the point of view of correlation functions. The text co ncludes with a problem of current research, namely diffusion in a susp ension of interacting hard spheres and what can be learned about such a system from scattered light.