  In this paper we give a pedagogical introduction to the ideas of quantum
thermodynamics and work fluctuations, using only basic concepts from quantum
and statistical mechanics. After reviewing the concept of work, as usually
taught in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, we discuss the framework of
non-equilibrium processes in quantum systems together with some modern
developments, such as the Jarzynski equality and its connection to the second
law of thermodynamics. We then apply these results to the problem of magnetic
resonance, where all calculations may be done exactly. It is shown in detail
how to build the statistics of the work, both for a single particle and for a
collection of non-interacting particles. We hope that this paper may serve as a
tool to bring the new student up to date on the recent developments in
non-equilibrium thermodynamics of quantum systems.

Quantum Physics;Statistical Mechanics