Fluctuations in Physical Systems [Paperback]

This book provides an introduction to applied statistical mechanics by considering physically realistic models.This book provides a simple and accessible introduction to the statistical description and analysis of fluctuations and diffusion. It starts by introducing the ideas underlying the subject, develops the necessary mathematical tools, and goes on to apply them in a variety of physical contexts. The approach of the book is rooted in reality, starting from a consideration of how fluctuations arise in actual physical examples. It is a useful and attractive text for senior undergraduate and graduate physics students, and anyone else who wants an accessible introduction to the subject.This book provides a simple and accessible introduction to the statistical description and analysis of fluctuations and diffusion. It starts by introducing the ideas underlying the subject, develops the necessary mathematical tools, and goes on to apply them in a variety of physical contexts. The approach of the book is rooted in reality, starting from a consideration of how fluctuations arise in actual physical examples. It is a useful and attractive text for senior undergraduate and graduate physics students, and anyone else who wants an accessible introduction to the subject.This text introduces applied statistical mechanics by considering physically realistic models. After an accessible introduction to theories of thermal fluctuations and diffusion, Hans Pecseli applies them in a variety of physical contexts. The first part of the book is devoted to processes in thermal equilibrium, and considers linear systems. The fluctuation dissipation theorem, Fokker-Planck equations, and the Kramers-Kroenig relations are introduced during the course of the exposition. The scope is then expanded to include nonequilibrium systems and also illustrates simple nonlinear systems.1. Introduction; 2. Elements of statistical analysis; 3. Fluctuations in electric circuits; 4. The fluctuation-dissipatlC=