640-342 Thermal Physics

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Physics 640-223 or 640-243. (Prior to 1999: Physics 640-246 or 640-226.)

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Statistical mechanics, the microscopic basis of classical thermodynamics, is developed in this subject. It is one of the core areas of physics, finding wide application in solid state physics, astrophysics, plasma physics and cosmology. Using fundamental ideas from quantum physics, a systematic treatment of statistical mechanics is developed for systems in equilibrium. The content of this subject includes: ensembles and the basic postulate; the statistical basis of the 2nd and 3rd laws of thermodynamics; canonical, micro-canonical and grand canonical ensembles and associated statistical and thermodynamic functions; ideal quantum gases, Blackbody radiation, the classical limit and an introduction to real gases; ideal magnetic systems; applications to solid state systems.

Assessment

A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination plus tests and/or assignments, set during the semester, which may account for up to 20% of the final mark.

Prescribed Texts

• Kittel C and Kroemer H, Thermal Physics. 2nd ed. Freeman 1980.