A Student's Guide to Phase Transitions

Name: A Student's Guide to Phase Transitions
Price: 34.95 AUD
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ISBN: 9781009664684

James S. Walker (Washington State University)

$34.95

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Forthcoming
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English

Cambridge University Press
01 September 2026

Mathematics & Sciences; Thermodynamics & heat; Thermochemistry & chemical thermodynamics; Engineering thermodynamics

Series: Student's Guides

Phase transitions take place when a substance changes from one physical state to another, and they are of fundamental importance in science and engineering with applications ranging from superconductivity to climate science. This Student's Guide coherently examines the underlying dynamics of phase transitions, beginning with a detailed description of phase diagrams and their graphical interpretation, before introducing the Van der Waals equations of state. It progresses to more advanced topics such as mean-field theory in magnetic systems, phase transitions in binary mixtures, and other more exotic types of phase transitions in liquid crystals, superconductors, and superfluids. A separate chapter covers the unique and subtle phase transition dynamics of water. The book includes numerous worked examples and problems, with full solutions available online. It will be a valuable resource for students and life-long learners in physical science and engineering.

By: James S. Walker (Washington State University)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
ISBN: 9781009664684
ISBN 10: 1009664689
Series: Student's Guides
Pages: 200
Publication Date: 01 September 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

1. Phases and phase transitions; 2. Heats and phases; 3. The phases and phase transitions of water; 4. The van der Waals equation of state; 5. Magnets and mean-field theory; 6. Binary mixtures; 7. Modern phases and phase transitions.

James S. Walker is Emeritus Professor of Physics at Washington State University, and was the Boeing Distinguished Professor of Science and Mathematics Education at the time of his retirement. He has previously held positions at the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the author of a successful undergraduate textbook, Physics (Addison-Wesley), now in its fifth edition, and A Student's Guide to the Ising Model (Cambridge University Press).