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DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
General Syllabus
Physics 451
Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
Designation:
Undergraduate
Catalog description:
45100: Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
Temperature; equation of state; work, heat and the First Law; irreversibility, entropy and the
Second Law; introduction to kinetic theory and statistical mechanics; low-temperature physics;
the Third Law. 3 HR./Wk.; 3 CR.
Textbook:
There is no prescribed textbook for this course. The following lecture notes (prepared by Professor
V. P. Nair) will be the primary material. They are available as open source material at
http://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_oers/9/
A recommended book for problems is: D.V. Schroeder, An Introduction to Thermal Physics,
Addison-Wesley, Edition 1, Year Published: 1999; ISBN 978-0201380279
Course Objectives:
After successfully completing this course students should be able to
1.
Understand thermal equilibrium
2.
Understand the role of heat and work in thermal physics
3.
Apply the First Law of Thermodynamics to simple physical systems such as the ideal gas,
heat engines and refrigerators
4.
Be familiar with the various heat capacities and be able to utilize them analyzing physical
problems
5.
Understand the Second Law of Thermodynamics and be able to apply it to simple physical
systems
6.
Understand the concept of entropy and to be able to compute the entropy for simple
physical systems
7.
Understand the Carnot cycle and to be able to compute the efficiency of Carnot engines
8.
Understand mechanical, diffusive and chemical equilibrium
9.
Understand free energy and be able to apply thermodynamic potentials to simple physical
problems
10. Understand the thermodynamics of phase transformations
11. Understand and apply Boltzmann statistics
12. Understand the Maxwell velocity distribution for molecules in an ideal gas
13. Compute partition functions for simple physical systems and to obtain the thermodynamic
potentials from it
14. Understand the basics of quantum statistics, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions
15. Understand quantum statistical mechanics in relation to the blackbody radiation spectrum
16. Understand the rudiments of the Bose-Einstein condensation
17. Understand the Debye theory of the specific heat of solids
18. Understand quantum statistical mechanics in relation to the Fermi gas, as applied to
electrons in a metal and white dwarfs
Topics covered:
The zeroth law of thermodynamics; equation of state; the first law; adiabatic and isothermal
processes; barometric formula, speed of sound; the Carnot cycle; the second law; consequences
of the second law; absolute temperature and entropy; thermodynamic engines; the third law;
thermodynamic potentials; equilibrium; phase transitions; thermodynamic processes; the
binomial distribution; Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics; Maxwell distribution for velocities; Gibbsian
ensembles; equation of state again; entropy and information; osmotic pressure; chemical
equilibrium; ionization equilibrium; Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions; black body
radiation; Bose-Einstein condensation; Debye theory of specific heats; electrons in a metal; white
dwarf stars.
Class schedule:
Two 75 minute classes
Relationship of course to program outcomes:
a. Students will be able to synthesize and apply their knowledge of physics and mathematics to
solve physics-related problems in a broad range of fields in classical and modern physics, including
mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics and statistical physics, optics, quantum
mechanics, and experimental physics.
c. Students will be able to communicate their knowledge effectively and in a professional
manner, in both oral and written forms.
d. Students will be able to work cooperatively with other students and with faculty.
f. Students will be able to use computers effectively for a variety of tasks, including data analysis,
instructional-technology (IT) assisted presentations, report or manuscript preparation, access to
online information sources, etc.
Assessment Tools:
1. Homework assignments
2. Midterm examination
3. Class participation
4. Results of Final Exam
Grading:
There will be one midterm examination and a final examination. They will contribute to your final
grade with weights of approximately 40% and 50%, respectively. These will be closed book exams,
but I will give you a formula sheet with all the formulae which I consider will be useful for the
exam. 10% of the grade will be given based on your active participation in the class and home
works.
Homework:
There will be homework assignments, one set for each week. They will be given out in class. These
will be graded, and they do contribute to your final grade. It is very important (for you) that you
do these problems. It has almost always been true that students who do not work out the
problems find the exams difficult and end up getting a low grade for the course.
Working out problems will be part of the course, integrated into the lectures. Additional
problem sessions will be scheduled when appropriate.