"This gem ofa book provides the student with aclear, concise, and compelling introduction to thedeceptively simple but vitally important topic ofthermodynamics. It involves the relationships betweenheat, work, temperature, energy, and states of matter, and touches virtually every fieldof science." --Richard N. Zare, StanfordUniversity "This bookintroduces students to the Boltzmann factorin an exceptionally clear and concise way. This is akey topic for students studying any branch of modernscience. Most importantly, this text adds significantlyto our understanding of both the simplicity and the importance of the Boltzmannfactor." --Graham Hutchings, FRS, CardiffUniversity This vibrant book takes thereader on an exciting journey through much of physical sciences by explainingthe wide ranging influence of a single equation, the Boltzmann factor. This simple relation provides the key to understanding a remarkable variety ofphenomena ranging from, for example, the behavior of atmospheric pressure ataltitude, the appearance of molecular spectra and the factors that determinechemical equilibrium.  Compact and clearly written book, this book, which requires no advanced mathematicalskills, will enrich and deepen students' understanding ofthe molecular sciences.  The insight it provides will enable them toappreciate the elegant unity that underlies the subject.