Physics 3200: Thermal Physics

Syllabus

Location and Hours

     Main Campus/Boswell/PMB 139, MWF/10:20AM-11:15AM

Reference books

Textbook:

Daniel V. Schroeder, An Introduction to Thermal Physics, Addison Wesley; US ed edition
                                 ISBN-10: 0201380277                 ISBN-13: 978-0201380279

References:

Lecture Notes & Materials

1.     Macroscopic Laws of Thermodynamics:
   1. 0th law of thermodynamics: (01/16)
      1. thermal equilibrium
      2. heat exchange
      3. temperature
      4. state
   2. 1st law of thermodynamics (01/21, 01/23)
      1. definition of heat, work and internal energy
      2. principle of energy conservation
1. 2nd law of thermodynamics (01/26)
   1. carnot engine: maximal efficiency,
   2. entropy
   3. Reversible process & Irreversible process
   4. 2nd law of thermodynamics in multiple forms:
   5. Maxwell paradox: a puzzling experiment
   6. Fluctuation theorem: from disorder to order?
2. 3rd law of thermodynamics
3. The thermodynamic identity & Legendre transformation
   1. Thermodynamic identities: hyperphysics
4. Maxwell relation
2.     Kinetic Theory of Gas
   1. ideal gas & ideal gas law
   2. pressure & temperature from microscopic properties
   3. Boltzmann distribution
   4. The physical meaning of entropy
   5. Maxwell velocity distribution
   6. Transport properties
3.     Statistical Mechanics
   1. The foundation of statistical mechanics
   2. Simple case: Binary system
   3. Entropy from microscopic properties

Homeworks

    1.  Assignment #1:  Maximum efficiency of a N-heat reservoir engineer.

Projects

1. Essay on selected topics on 2nd law of thermodynamics. Due on 03/18.

Useful Links

1. The STP Project - Includes a draft textbook, and a collection of web resources.
2. A Chronicle of Thermal Physics - A Hyper Jeff Compilation.
3. Solid State Physics - A collection of Java applets
4. Rice Virtual Lab for Statistics - A collection of interactive demos.
5. comPADRE - Digital Resources for Physics and Astronomy Education