The object of this text is to provide the reader with a comprehensive introduction to the basic concepts of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. It is intended for science and engineering undergraduates.
The emphasis throughout is on simplicity and clarity, the order of presentation and the explanations given being those which have been found most successful with students and acceptable to them. It is often found that ideas are presented to students which are not wholly true. This may either be in order to gloss over certain difficulties or possibly from a lack of understanding. Despite the simplicity of approach of the present text, the truth has not been overlooked.