Courses

This course explores the configurations and states; entropy; laws of thermodynamics; Boltzmann distribution; Helmholtz free energy and partition function; blackbody radiation and Planck’s distribution; chemical potential and Gibb’s distribution; ideal gases; Fermi, Bose; heat and work; Gibb’s free energy, enthalpy.

Prerequisites: PHYS 242; ENGR 144 or CSCI 161. 3 credits and lab.

Thermal physics is the study of the statistical nature of physical systems from an energetic perspective.  In this course, we will answer some of the following questions:

• What is the true nature of heat and temperature?
• How is energy transferred from place to place and converted from one form to another?
• How do matter and heat interact?
• Can we explain the macroscopic properties of matter in terms of the mechanics of its microscopic components - atoms and molecules?

There are two different approaches to studying thermal physics: macroscopic and microscopic.

In a lot of cases, we don’t need to know exactly the microscopic details of a system. By using only macroscopic considerations, we can define the laws of thermodynamics, which predict that heat always flows from a hot object to a cold one, that liquid always boil quicker at lower pressure, etc.

But if we want to understand those laws, we need to look into matter in more details by taking into account the connection between the quantum behaviour of atoms and molecules, and the law of statistics. The results and the principles that generalize them are called statistical mechanics.

The thrill of thermal physics comes from using it to understand the world we live in. In the frame of the course, we will see various applications as possible in different areas such as chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, astrophysics, engineering, etc.

Lectures will follow closely the material from the textbook. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to read the textbook and do the problems.

It is expected that students are familiar with multivariable calculus. Previous knowledge of the laws of thermodynamics is recommended but not absolutely necessary (it will be reviewed in class).

A computer lab component (3 hours per week) will illustrate some of the concepts seen in class and provide an introduction to Matlab, one of the most widely spread software for technical computing. The computer laboratory is situated in PS1096.

Part I: Fundamentals

• Chapter 1: Energy in Thermal Physics. An overview of temperature, ideal gases, equipartition, the first law of thermodynamics, and heat capacities.
   
• Chapter 2: The Second Law of Thermodynamics. Fundamental statistical ideas applied to two-state systems and the Einstein solid model; analysis of two interacting Einstein solids; multiplicity of an ideal gas; statistical definition of entropy.
   
• Chapter 3: Interactions and Implications. Temperature, pressure, and chemical potential as partial derivatives of the entropy; the relation between entropy and heat; prediction of heat capacities and other thermal properties of a paramagnet, Einstein solid, and ideal gas.

Part II: Thermodynamics

• Chapter 4: Engines and Refrigerators. Derivation of limits on efficiency from the laws of thermodynamics; Carnot cycle.
   
• Chapter 5: Free Energy and Chemical Thermodynamics. Definitions and interpretations of Helmholtz and Gibbs free energies; applications to electrochemistry, phase transformations.

   

  Part III: Introduction to Statistical Mechanics

  • Chapter 6: Boltzmann Statistics. Boltzmann factors and partition functions, including applications to atomic and molecular excitations, paramagnetism, equipartition theorem, Maxwell distribution, ideal gases.
     
  • Chapter 7: Introduction to Quantum Statistics. Gibbs factors

   

Assignments

Assignments will be given periodically. You will usually have a week to complete each of them and submit your paper.

Midterm and final exam

The exact date for the midterm exam will be decided during the course; the final exam date is set by the university registrar. The mid term and final exams are without books or notes. Only non-programmable calculator is allowed. Students are expected to learn and know the course material.

Labs

Labs are mandatory. In order to qualify to pass this course, you must receive a passing grade in the lab component.  Details are given in the lab manual.