PH3300 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics ... (3-0-0) s ... 3 Cr
Thermodynamic systems, heat, work, laws of thermodynamics, formal mathematical relations,
cycles, phase equilibrium, and multicomponent
systems. Elementary kinetic theory. Introduction to microscopic view of entropy, ensemble theory,
and applications of statistical mechanics.
Prerequisite: PH2300.
This course is a prerequisite for PH4395.
Text (Spring 2006):
- Introductory Statistical Mechanics, 2nd Ed.,
Roger Bowley & Mariana Sanchez (ISBN 0198505760)
Previous Texts:
- Methods of Thermodynamics, Howard Reiss (ISBN 0486694453)
- Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics, E. Atlee Jackson (ISBN 0486411850)
- Thermal Physics, Ralph Baierlein (ISBN 0-521-59082-5)
- An Introduction to Thermal Physics, Daniel V. Schroeder
(ISBN 0-201-38027-7)
Typical Text:
Heat and Thermodynamics, 7 th Ed., Zemansky and Dittman.
Reference Texts:
Statistical and Thermal Physics (Reif)
Thermal Physics (Kittel and Kroemer)
Typical Syllabus (Approximate # of Lectures)
I. Thermodynamics
1. Introduction & Motivation (1)
- Microscopic versus macroscipic
- Scope of thermodynamics
- Importance of thermodynamics
2. Temperature and the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics (1)
- Concept of Temperature
- Measuring Temperature
- Ideal-Gas Temperature
3. Simple Thermodynamic Systems (2)
- Equilibrium
- Equation of State
- Differential relations
4. Work (1)
- Concept of work
- Quasi-Static processes
- Examples
5. Heat and the First Law of Thermodynamics (2)
- Work and heat
- Adiabatic work
- Internal Energy and Heat Capacity
- The First Law of Thermodynamics
6. Ideal Gas (2)
- Equation of State
- Internal Energy and heat capacities
- Thermodynamic Processes
- Sound waves
- Kinetic Theory of the Ideal Gas
7. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (3)
- Cycles: Engines & Refrigerators
- Reversible and Irreversible Processes
- Carnot Cycle
- Absolute Zero and the Thermodynamic Temperature Scale
8. Entropy (2)
- Entropy and the Second Law
- Entropy and Irreversibility
9. Thermodynamic Potentials (3)
- Free Energies
- Maxwell Relations
- Energy, Entropy, and Heat Capacity relations
10. Open Systems and Phase Stability (4)
- Phase diagrams in a pure system
- Phase transitions
- Clausus-Clapeyron Equation
- Phase stability
- Mechanical stability
- Chemical Potential
12. Chemical Equilibrium (4)
- Euler's Theorem of Homogeneous Functions
- Gibbs-Duhem relation
- Dalton's Law of Parial Pressures
- Entropy of mixing
13. Heterogeneous Systems (3)
II. Statistical Mechanics
1. Introduction (4)
- Motivation
- Fundamental Postulate
- Entropy and Temperature
2. Ensemble Theory (6)
- Microcanonical Ensemble
- Canonical Ensemble
- Application to Ideal Gas: Indistinguishable Particles
- Equipartition Theorem
- Application to 1D Harmonic Oscillator
- Application to a 2-state system
- Grand Canonical Ensemble
3. Applications (4)
- Non-interacting Fermions & Bosons
- Application to photons or phonons
- Introduction to interacting systems: Ising Model
- Introduction to Monte Carlo Simulation
Course Rationale: Thermodynamics is a core subject in physics, applicable
to all its subfields. Fundamental principles are taught in depth, and
mathematical tools are presented to equip students for other applications.
Statistial Mechanics is also a core subject in physics, bridging the gap
between microscopic and macroscopic systems. Students are
introduced to the subject to teach them its foundations, simple
applications, and utility.