PX2231: Thermal and Statistical Physics
| School | Cardiff School of Physics & Astronomy |
| Department Code | PHYSX |
| Module Code | PX2231 |
| External Subject Code | 100425 |
| Number of Credits | 20 |
| Level | L5 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | PROFESSOR John Macdonald |
| Semester | Spring Semester |
| Academic Year | 2015/6 |
Outline Description of Module
To provide an understanding of the laws and concepts of thermodynamics and their applications.
To introduce the kinetic theory of gases.
To introduce the quantum mechanics of radiation and develop the theory of black-body radiation.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
Describe the basis and importance of the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
Discuss the concept of entropy and identify its physical consequences.
Apply the laws of thermodynamics to simple physical systems.
Apply the kinetic theory to solve problems involving gases.
Demonstrate an understanding of the quantum mechanics of radiation and the origin of the black-body radiation spectrum.
How the module will be delivered
Lectures 33 x 1 hr, examples classes 11 x 1hr, marked exercises.
Skills that will be practised and developed
Mathematics. Problem solving. Investigative skills. Analytical skills.
How the module will be assessed
Examination and Continuous Assessment
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam - Spring Semester | 80 | Thermal And Statistical Physics | 3 |
| Written Assessment | 20 | Thermal And Statistical Physics | N/A |
Syllabus content
1. The laws of thermodynamics. Temperature. Thermometers.
2. Heat. Heat transfer. The first law. Reversible and irreversible changes of state. Ideal gases.
3. Heat capacity. and and relationships between them. Enthalpy.
4. State variable. Exact and inexact differentials. Maxwell’s relations. Adiabatic changes of state.
5. Kinetic theory. Mean-free path.
6. Second law of thermodynamics. Entropy. Heat engines. Carnot cycle.
7. Entropy and efficiency of heat exchange processes.
8. Entropy.
9. Helmholtz and Gibbs free energy. Internal energy.
10. Introduction to statistical mechanics and distribution functions (M-B, F-D and B-E). Microstates, macrostates, measure of disorder – , entropy, micro-canonical ensemble, .
11. Partition function, Canonical ensemble, , Equation of state.
12. Applications. Connection with thermodynamics.
13. Classical gas, Boltzmann distribution, Maxwell velocity distribution.
14. Indistinguishable particles, FD and BE statistics.
15. Basis for Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution.
16. M-D statistics, molecular energies in an ideal gas.
17. Equipartition of energy. Degrees of freedom. Specific heat of .
18. Rayleigh-Jeans and Planck theory of blackbody radiation and Wien displacement law.
19. Specific heat of solids (Einstein and Debye).
20. Free electron gases.
21. Applications to astronomy.
Background Reading and Resource List
Principles of Physics (Extended Version), Halliday, Resnick and Walker (Wiley).
Thermal Physics, C B P Finn (CRC Press)
Concepts of Thermal Physics, S J Blundell and K M Blundell )Oxford)
Statistical Mechanics: a Survival Guide. M Glazer and J Wark (Oxford)
Thermal Physics, M Sprackling (Macmillan).