Syllabus and Textbook


140A. Statistical and Thermal Physics (4)

Integrated treatment of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics; statistical treatment of entropy, review of elementary probability theory, canonical distribution, partition function, free energy, phase equilibrium, introduction to ideal quantum gases.

 

 

140B. Statistical and Thermal Physics (4)

Applications of the theory of ideal quantum gases in condensed matter physics, nuclear physics and astrophysics; advanced thermodynamics, the third law, chemical equilibrium, low temperature physics; kinetic theory and transport in non-equilibrium systems; introduction to critical phenomena including mean field theory.

Prerequisites: Physics 140A, or consent of instructor. (F)

 

 

TEXT: Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics
by Ashley H. Carter [Prentice Hall, 2001]

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