Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics / Thermodynamics

Two Fundamental Laws of Nature.- Thermodynamic Functions.- Equilibrium and Stability.- Simple Phase Diagrams.- Microscopic Interactions.- Thermodynamics and Molecular Simulation.- Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics.

Reinhard Hentschke got his PhD degree in 1987 at the University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA. Afterwards he held postdoc positions at the Department of Chemistry, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, New York, USA, and at the Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, Massachusetts USA. From 1990-1999 he was a staff scientist and project coordinator at the Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany. In 1996 he got the Habilitation and venia legendi in Physical Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Ever since 1999 he is Professor of theoretical physics (statistical mechanics of soft matter/chemical physics) at the Bergische Universität, Wuppertal, Germany.

His research interests have frequently straddled the boundary between physics and chemis­try. Early work as a Master and PhD student has focussed on surface physics dealing with topics in molecule/ion-surface collision and surface phase transitions. During his postdoctoral years the focus has shifted to theoretical physical chemistry of reversible molecular aggrega­tion as found in micellar and protein systems and the attendant liquid crystalline phase be­haviour. As a group leader at the Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research he has concen­trated on computer modelling of polymers.

Over the past ten years, as a professor of physics, his work has been a synthesis of these earlier fields of work. Recently his group has concentrated on (a) the theoretical investigation of sorption in polymer networks using computer simulation methods and lattice theory; (b) reversible self-assembly and phase behaviour of equilibrium polymers using again a combi­nation of computer simulation and analytical theory; (c) the dielectric properties in conjunc­tion with the structural phase behaviour of dipolar fluids; (d) the development of computer algorithms for molecular modelling; (e) dynamical properties of filled elastomers.

"With this volume of concise theoretical developments and numerous, detailed applications, the author shows that mastering thermodynamics is indispensable for understanding properties and processes at finite temperature. ... Hentschke's Thermodynamics is a valuable resource for students and faculty of statistical mechanics courses at the advanced-undergraduate or graduate level." (Jutta Luettmer-Strathmann, Physics Today, September, 2015)"As part of the 'Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics' series, this book is meant to support and complement undergraduate instruction on the topic. ... provides several nicely worked-out problems fostering a deeper understanding of thermodynamics. ... Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and graduate students." (H. Giesche, Choice, Vol. 51 (9), May, 2014)