Thermodynamics with Elements of Statistical Physics

physics

Classroom

Thermodynamic system, empirical temperature, properties (expansion, electric field, radiation), pressure, buoyancy. Equation of state. Ideal gas, real gases, phases.

Reversible and irreversible processes, work and heat, first law, molar heats, heat transfer, internal energy, ideal gas - microscopic model.

Second law and entropy.

Carnot cycle and heat machines, thermodynamic temperature, fundamental equation of thermodynamics.

Statistical description, entropy, distributions of microstates in a system of oscillators, Boltzmann distribution.

Statistical sum. Paramagnetism, Einstein's model of solid state.

Distinguishable and indistinguishable elements, ideal gas: entropy and Maxwell's velocity distribution. Equipartition of energy.

Thermodynamic potentials, phases, surface tension and capillarity.

Low temperatures, third law.

Quantum statistics, [photon gas]. Heat transport phenomena, thermodynamic paradoxes, [entropy and information].

1. Information about this lecture, classical thermodynamics and statistical physics, granular structure of matter; thermodynamic system, equilibrium, zeroth principle of thermodynamics, approaching thermal equilibrium; empirical temperature, thermometers, Fahrenheit, Celsius and Kalvin scales, SI units.
2. Thermal properties: thermal expansion of liquids and solids, electrical properties, thermal radiation (Kirchhoff's law, Wien's first law, Planck's distribution, Stefan-Boltzmann's law); pressure, hydrostatic equation, buoyancy, barometric formula, compressibility.
3. Equation of state of ideal gas, real gases, virial expansions; v.d. Waals' equation of state, critical parameters, state surfaces of real substances; other thermodynamic systems (not p-V), examples:a wire, surfaces, Daniell cell, paramagnetic material.
4. Work, quasi-static processes, reversible and irreversible processes; first law of thermodynamics for adiabatic systems. Internal energy, Joule's experiment; heat and the first law of thermodynamics; transport of heat, molar heat capacity, ideal gas - adiabat, Cp/CV.
5. Latent heats of phase transitions; microscopic model of an ideal gas, Maxwell's distribution (1); heat ↔ work, direction of heat flow; formulations of the second law of thermodynamics (Kelvin, Clausius, entropic); entropy as a function of state - ideal gas, [generalization - optional supplement]; [Caratheodory's formulation].
6. Heat machines; discussion of the Kelvin and Clausius formulations; the Carnot cycle and the engine with maximal efficiency, the Stirling engine; thermodynamic temperature (based on Carnot cycles).
7. Combustion engines; Clausius inequality and entropy; examples: brick→lake, Joule process; the fundamental equation of thermodynamics; what follows from entropy, thermodynamic temperature (based on entropy and internal energy), pressure, chemical potential.
8. Introduction to statistical physics, oscillator systems, Einstein's model of a solid state, microstate calculations, Boltzmann's postulate.
9. Boltzmann distribution, the beta parameter.
10. Particle in a thermostat, Gibbs entropy, partition function - distinguishable particles, degeneracy; Example: paramagnetism and Einstein's model of solid (cont.).
11. Indistinguishable particles, ideal gas - partition function, entropy, Maxwell's distribution (2), equipartition, molar heats (cont.), [ideal diatomic gas].
12. Thermodynamic potentials H, F, G; steam engine, phase equilibrium, [Maxwell's construction], classification of phase transitions.
13. Surface tension and capillarity; low temperatures, Joule-Thomson effect; Third law of Thermodynamics.
14. Quantum statistics: bosons and fermions, [photon gas]; selected thermodynamic paradoxes; heat transport equation; Avogadro's number; [entropy and information].

After completing the course, the student:

KNOWLEDGE

knows the most important topics in phenomenological thermodynamics;

knows the most important topics in statistical physics.

SKILLS

can describe and explain physical phenomena related to phenomenological thermodynamics and statistical physics;

can solve problems related to these topics.

Midterm written tests

Written exam

Oral exam