Physical Kinetics : Volume 10 (Course of Theoretical Physics)

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Summary: A UNIQUE BOOK ABOUT SYSTEMS NOT IN EQUILIBRIUM
Review: This book is the volume 10 and the last volume of the great Course of Theoretical Physics by Landau and Lifshitz. It explains in great detail and rigour the theory of the processes ocurring in several systems not in statistical equilibrium. The book opens with a complete account of the transport processes in gases not in equilibrium, certainly the most representative physical system not in equilibrium. The Boltzmann transport equation is derived in a general and elegant way in this chapter. After a second chapter which developes a mathematical technique called the diffusion approximation, the book discusses various processes occurring in several systems not in equilibrium, notably the processes occurring in plasmas. Other systems, such as insulators, quantum liquids, metals etc are discussed. In a final chapter, it developes the kinetics of phase transitions, in a magnific and concise form. Really this is a superb book, where the reader will learn with detail all these subjects.