This second volume covers the mechanics of fluids, the principles of thermodynamics and their applications (without reference to the microscopic structure of systems), and the microscopic interpretation of thermodynamics.
It is part of a four-volume textbook, which covers electromagnetism, mechanics, fluids and thermodynamics, and waves and light, is designed to reflect the typical syllabus during the first two years of a calculus-based university physics program.
Throughout all four volumes, particular attention is paid to in-depth clarification of conceptual aspects, and to this end the historical roots of the principal concepts are traced. Emphasis is also consistently placed on the experimental basis of the concepts, highlighting the experimental nature of physics. Whenever feasible at the elementary level, concepts relevant to more advanced courses in quantum mechanics and atomic, solid state, nuclear, and particle physics are included. Each chapter begins with an introduction that briefly describes the subjects to be discussed and ends with a summary of the main results. A number of Questions are included to help readers check their level of understanding.
The textbook offers an ideal resource for physics students, lecturers and, last but not least, all those seeking a deeper understanding of the experimental basics of physics.
Alessandro Bettini is Emeritus Professor ofPhysics at the University of Padua, Italy, where he has taught experimental,general, and particle physics for 40 years. He is current Vice-president of theItalian Physical Society and his past posts also include Director of the INFNNational Gran Sasso Laboratory, Vice-president of the OECD Global ScienceForum, and Director of the Canfranc Underground Laboratory in Spain. Mostrecently, Professor Bettinis scientific interests have focused on neutrinophysics beyond the standard model and astroparticle phenomena. He is a memberof the GERDA experiment, searching for neutrino-less double beta decay.Professor Bettini is the author of approximately 200 articles in internationalscientific journals as well as several books, includingIntroduction to Elementary Particle Physics(Cambridge UniversityPress, 2008, 2nd edn).
