Course Description

Statistical and thermal physics describe systems that contain large numbers of individual constituents. Typical examples are gases and solids, which contain large numbers of identical atoms or molecules. The goal of thermal physics is to describe these systems in terms of bulk macroscopic quantities, such as temperature and pressure. The goal of statistical physics is to relate the bulk description to microscopic descriptions of the system constituents. Averaging over microscopic properties such as kinetic energies or dipoles moments of individual molecules or atoms can yield bulk properties such as temperature or magnetization.

Statistical physics and thermodynamics have been developed to the point where a wide range for phenomena can be described using the same small set of general principles. These subjects form a cornerstone of current physics and are frequently used in condensed matter physics, atomic and molecular physics, astrophysics, chemistry and elsewhere.

Phys 362 will introduce you to the framework and techniques of statistical and thermal physics as well as illustrating its applications throughout the physical sciences.

Course Number: PHYS 362

Instructor: Prof. David Collins, Physics

Contact Information:

Class Times: TTh 11:00am - 12:15pm

Classroom: Wubben 366

First Class Meeting: Tuesday 21 January 2014

Prerequisites: PHYS 230, PHYS 231, MATH 260

Texts:

D. V. Schroeder, Thermal Physics, Addison-Wesley (2000).

Syllabus: Pdf Format

Syllabus

The following is subject to change.

  1. Thermodynamic states and thermal equilibrium.
  2. First law of thermodynamics, enthalpy, free energy, heat capacities.
  3. Microstates, macrostates and entropy for model and real systems.
  4. Relationships between thermodynamic quantities such as entropy, energy, temperature, magnetization and pressure.
  5. Statistical physics: Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions.
  6. Equipartition theorem, partition function and use of these to derive thermodynamic quantities for statistical models.
  7. Applications to thermodynamic processes including heat engines.

Homework Assignments

Homework 1 Due: 23 Jan 2014 Pdf
Homework 2 Due: 28 Jan 2014 Pdf
Homework 3 Due: 30 Jan 2014 Pdf
Homework 4 Due: 4 Feb 2014 Pdf
Homework 5 Due: 6 Feb 2014 Pdf
Homework 6 Due: 13 Feb 2014 Pdf
Homework 7 Due: 18 Feb 2014 Pdf
Homework 8 Due: 20 Feb 2014 Pdf
Homework 9 Due: 4 Mar 2014 Pdf
Homework 10 Due: 6 Mar 2014 Pdf
Homework 11 Due: 11 Mar 2014 Pdf
Homework 12 Due: 13 Mar 2014 Pdf
Homework 13 Due: 18 Mar 2014 Pdf
Homework 14 Due: 20 Mar 2014 Pdf
Homework 15 Due: 1 April 2014 Pdf
Homework 16 Due: 3 April 2014 Pdf
Homework 17 Due: 15 April 2014 Pdf
Homework 18 Due: 17 April 2014 Pdf
Homework 19 Due: 22 April 2014 Pdf
Homework 20 Due: 24 April 2014 Pdf
Homework 21 Due: 1 May 2014 Pdf
Homework 22 Due: 6 May 2014 Pdf

Homework Solutions

Homework solutions are posted on the K drive. You can access these from any computer connected to the CMU network. The directory depends on your section number but can be found under K: -> PHYS362 -> 00X-YYYYY -> SHARE -> homework.

Exams

There will be two hour long exams during class on the following dates: Tuesday 25 February 2014 and Tuesday 8 April 2014. There will be a comprehensive final exam on Tuesday 13 May 2014.


Exams from Spring 2014.

Semester Exam
Spring 2014 Class exam 1 Pdf
Spring 2014 Exam 1: Solutions Pdf
Spring 2014 Class exam 2 Pdf
Spring 2014 Exam 2: Solutions Pdf


Supplementary Reading

There are many additional texts which are potentially suitable for this course. The following is a selection.

  1. Thermodynamics

    1. H. B. Callen, Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics, Wiley (1985).

      Lays out postulates and axioms for thermodynamics and develops the subject from these. One of the more mathematically sophisticated texts for undergraduates

    2. F. Reif, Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics McGraw-Hill (1965).

      Long standing classic undergraduate text. Starts with statistical physics and develops thermodynamics from this.

    3. C. Kittel, Thermal Physics Wiley (1969).

      Another long standing classic undergraduate text.

    4. H. Gould and J. Tobochnik, Statistical and Thermal Physics Princeton (2010).

      Starts with thermodynamics. Detailed chapter on probability.

    5. H. A. Buchdahl, The Concepts of Classical Thermodynamics Cambridge (1966).

      Want an axiomatic approach to thermodynamics? It exists. This is heavy in mathematics and light in applications but gives a great treatment of the conceptual and mathematical structure of thermodynamics.

Links and Animations

  1. References
    1. Physlink Reference information and data, including decimal system notation, physical constants, math constants, astro-physical constants, etc,....
    2. Eric Weinstein's World of Physics Encyclopedia of Physics maintained by Wolfram Research. Entries at a variety of technical levels.
    3. Science and Engineering Encyclopedia: Physics Encyclopedia of Physics with a somewhat cumbersome interface. Includes conversion calculators.
    4. Periodic Table of Elements WebElements site.
    5. NIST Databases Administered by the National Institute for Standards and Technology. The final word in physical data. Intended for professionals.
  2. Animations
    1. Math and Physics Simulations. A great collection of excellent simulations from Paul Falstad.
    2. Activ Physics Large collection provided by Addisson Wesley.
    3. PhET University of Colorado PhET simulations.
    4. Physclips From the University of New South Wales, Australia.
    5. LTU Applets Collection of simulations provided by Scott Schneider, Lawrence Technological University.
    6. PSU Schuylkill Animations Provided by Michael Gallis, Penn State University Schuylkill.
  3. Thermal Physics
    1. Water Phase Diagram From Wikipedia.
    2. Argon Phase Diagram From Britannica.
    3. Gas Properties PhET simulation from the University of Colorado.
    4. Free Expansion of a Gas Animation from Pennsylvania State University, Schuylkill.
    5. Smashing Racquet Ball From North Carolina State University.
    6. Gas Thermometer From University of Iowa.
    7. Kinetic Theory From Oklahoma State University.
    8. Kinetic Theory From LON-CAPA.
    9. Kinetic Theory From the Ohio State University.
    10. Fire Syringe From University of Iowa.
    11. Thermodynamic Processes Activ Physics 8.6.

This page is maintained by David Collins
Last modified: 20 March 2014