PHYS 486 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

The fundamental ideas of thermodynamics and of statistical mechanics are introduced and applied to classical and quantum systems. Topics include the meaning of temperature, work in thermodynamic systems, the Second Law of thermodynamics and its consequences, thermodynamic cycles, thermodynamic potentials, and the fundamentals of statistical mechanics using microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles.

Prerequisites: Grades of “C” or higher in PHYS 351 - Modern Physics II,

PHYS 275 - Vibrations and Waves

, PHYS 382 - Mathematical Physics, and MATH 264 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus III. Pre- or corequisite: STAT 290 - Statistics.
Credit(s): 3
When Offered: Fall
Course Attribute(s):

Honors Scholar Course.