THERMAL PHYSICS9.5
Dr M. Livett
Physics 640-121+122 or 141+142 (before 1996: 640-120 or 640-140): Mathematics 618-121 or 618-142 (before 1996: 101); Mathematics 618-122 or 618-200 or 618-211 (before 1996: 618-102)
Second semester
26 lectures and 13 1-hour tutorials
By the end of this course the student should:
comprehend the classical phenomenological approach to thermal physics as well as the basis for the atomistic approaches provided by kinetic theory and statistical mechanics;
be able to apply thermodynamic theory to simple physical systems and to have sufficient appreciation of statistical mechanics and kinetic theory to understand many phenomena using these ideas;
appreciate the very central and fundamental nature of these theories in physics, chemistry and engineering.
Basic concepts: thermodynamic variables. Zeroth law: heat; temperature and its measurement; temperature dependence of material properties. Equations of state: indicator diagrams; special processes; differential changes of state; work. First law: internal energy; heat capacities; latent heats. Second law: heat engines; efficiencies; entropy and its use; Maxwell's relations. Kinetic theory: Maxwell distributions; efflux; transport theory; conductivity; black body radiation. Elementary statistical mechanics: system states; probability distributions; entropy; the classical partition function.
A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination.
Sears F W and Salinger G L Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory and Statistical Mechanics 3rd edition Addison-Wesley
THERMAL PHYSICS9.5
Dr M Livett.
Physics 640-121+122 or 141+142 (before 1996: 640-120 or 640-140): Mathematics 618-121 or 618-142 (before 1996: 101); Mathematics 618-122 or 618-200 or 618-211 (before 1996: 618-102)
Second semester.
26 lectures and 13 1-hour tutorials
By the end of this course the student should:
comprehend the classical phenomenological approach to thermal physics as well as the basis for the atomistic approaches provided by kinetic theory and statistical mechanics;
be able to apply thermodynamic theory to simple physical systems and to have sufficient appreciation of statistical mechanics and kinetic theory to understand many phenomena using these ideas;
appreciate the very central and fundamental nature of these theories in physics, chemistry and engineering.
Basic concepts: thermodynamic variables. Zeroth law: heat; temperature and its measurement; temperature dependence of material properties. Equations of state: indicator diagrams; special processes; differential changes of state; work. First law: internal energy; heat capacities; latent heats. Second law: heat engines; efficiencies; entropy and its use; Maxwell's relations. Kinetic theory: Maxwell distributions; efflux; transport theory; conductivity; black body radiation. Elementary statistical mechanics: system states; probability distributions; entropy; the classical partition function.
A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination.
Sears F W and Salinger G L Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory and Statistical Mechanics (3rd ed. ) Addison-Wesley