Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This book covers the basic, mainly classical, physics of the properties of solids and liquids. The main emphasis is on macroscopic characteristics of materials, although their is some discussion of the atomic or molecular phenomena that underlie the macroscopic effects. Topics that are discussed in detail include the elastic properties of solids, with applications to acoustic waves and the deformation and stability of rods and struts; static and dynamic properties of liquids, with applications to interfacial phenomena and fluid flow characteristics; and diffusion in solids and liquids, with applications to Brownian motion, heat conduction and creep. The coverage combines treatments of the more traditional aspects of these topics with details of developments, such as novel materials, catastrophe theory and soliton propagation. This textbook will be suitable for second- and third-year undergraduates in universities and polytechnics taking courses in the properties of condensed matters in departments of physics, materials science and to some extent in engineering.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Glossary
• Preface
• 1 Condensed matter
• 2 Properties of elastic solids
• 3 Dynamics and stability of elastic media
• 4 Static properties of liquids
• 5 Dynamic properties of liquids
• 6 Diffusion
• Appendices
• Index

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Well-crafted by two British professors, this volume is not the standard solid-state physics text that its title would imply. Instead, it emphasizes the mechanical properties of both liquids and solids and nicely blends a number of modern ideas with classical topics. The book is divided into six chapters that include an introduction to condensed matter, general properties and dynamics of elastic media, static and dynamic properties of liquids, and diffusion. Among the modern topics treated are catastrophe theory, critical phenomena, Rayleigh-Taylor instability, and solitons. A nice feature is the "Suggestions for Further Reading" section at the end of each chapter. A principal shortcoming is the lack of physical examples; the book is predominantly theoretical and rather dry. Given its unusual collection of topics, this text will not be suited for many courses in the typical US curriculum. However, as a basic introduction and reference work for the mechanical properties of condensed matter, it is a worthy addition to the collections of most upper-division college libraries. J. U. Trefny Colorado School of Mines