The Statistical and Thermal Physics Project is offering a website build around the opensource physics textbook Statistical and Thermal Physics by H. Gould and J. Tobochnik. The site includes the textbook in a series of downloadable PDF files, student activities, statistical software programs and background information for students studying the subject of thermodynamics.
Free Online Thermodynamics Textbooks
Thermodynamics is the physical science that studies outcomes of fluctuations in pressure, temperature and volume on material bodies at a scale which can be observed or measured without mechanical assistance through measuring and analyzing the collective motion of their particles.
Thermodynamics courses are generally found in the Physics curriculum. The field has however developed several related branches. They approach thermodynamical systems using different fundamental models or apply principles to varying types of systems. They include Classical Thermodynamics, Statistical Thermodynamics, Chemical Thermodynamics and Equilibrium Thermodynamics.
The first free online thermodynamics textbooks that I found were based on the study of Chemical Thermodynamics and where originally included under the free Chemistry textbooks category. Rather than have some thermodynamics textbooks listed under the Chemistry section, some listed under free Physics textbooks and inevitably incorrectly place others; I will be putting them all together under their own subject heading.
Students of thermodynamics will need good laboratory skills as well as a strong mathematical background.
Thus far, I’ve only found a handful of free thermodynamics-related online textbooks. Hopefully, they will offer students alternative or supplementary information useful for students looking for help.
List of Free Online Thermodynamics Textbooks
Statistical and Thermal Physics
The Basics of MRI
Dr. Joseph P. Hornak is a professor of Chemistry and Imaging Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology. A great number of mathematical concepts are included in the textbook but at least one reviewer believes that the reviews of the required math and physics knowledge required are adequate for understanding the material presented. Presented in [...]
The Basics of NMR
Information geared for the novice but with enough depth for advanced students as well. Animations and numerous diagrams are used to explain the topics. Dr. Joseph P. Hornak is a professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology in the Chemistry and Imaging Science Department.
Thermodynamic and Chemistry
Free PDF chemistry book by Howard DeVoe, Associate Professor Emeritus, University of Maryland. It is designed for a one semester course at either the undergraduate or graduate level. One reviewer said of the first edition, “The author is very good at giving clear, qualitative explanations of thermodynamic concepts…Most thermodynamics textbooks do not present this material [...]
Thermodynamics of Chemical Equilibrium
Part of a larger work by Stephen Lower at Simon Fraser University, this virtual textbook seeks to provide students with an introduction to classical thermodynamics. Lower believes that despite the volume of information that he is presenting here that it first-year college students should be able to grasp the material and that it would be [...]