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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.