Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science (Volume 4 page 227)
Physics subject : Next:640-227 | Prev:640-225 | Search | Help
640-226 "Thermal Physics (Advanced)" appears differently in several places - choose the one you want:
1. Physics, Faculty of Science (v4, p227) : Next:640-227 | Prev:640-225
Credit points: 9.5
Coordinator: Prof. B H J McKellar
Prerequisite: 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)
Contact: 26 lectures and 13 1-hour tutorials
Timetable: Second semester
Objectives:
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.
Content:
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 distribution; efflux; transport theory; conductivity; black body radiation. Elementary statistical mechanics: system states, probability distributions; entropy; the classical partition function.
Assessment:
A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination.
Prescribed texts:
1. Physics, Faculty of Science (v4, p227) : Next:640-227 | Prev:640-225
2. Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering (v4, p109) : Next:640-228 | Prev:640-223
See additional details under the Physics subject above.
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2. Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering (v4, p109) : Next:640-228 | Prev:640-223
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 9 1995 Last modified: Oct 9 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: School of Physics, Faculty of Science.
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.