Physics 8310 Statistical Mechanics Spring 2013
Phys 8310 Statistical Mechanics is a graduate level course in
the theories of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. We will
discuss the foundations and relationships of both theories, and
survey various applications. Topics include: thermodynamics and
applications, thermodynamics of phase transitions, statistical
mechanics and ensemble theory, the microcanonical, canonical, and
grand canonical ensembles, magnetic systems, Bose and Fermi gases,
black-body radiation, and phonon theories.
Instructor: Cass Sackett Email: [email protected] Phone:
434-924-6795 Office: Physics 155
Class Hours: TR 11:00 12:15, Physics 210 Office Hours: Monday
and Wednesday 4:30-5:30 PM
Webpage:
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~cas8m/classes/phys8310/2013
Includes links to lecture notes, homework assignments, and homework
solutions.
Texts: Pathria and Beale, Statistical Mechanics, 3rd edition
Reichl, A Modern Course in Statistical Physics
We will use Reichl for thermodynamics and Pathria for
statistical mechanics proper. Photocopies of the relevant sections
from Reichl will be provided.
Additional resources: Callen, Thermodynamics (More detailed
discussion of thermodynamics) Huang, Statistical Mechanics (Another
popular graduate text) Garrod, Statistical Mechanics and
Thermodynamics (Graduate text with many examples) Reif,
Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics (Good undergrad
text) Kittel and Kroemer, Thermal Physics (Good undergrad text)
Grading: Homework 30%
Drop your three lowest scores if you complete the course
evaluation at the end of the semester Midterm exams 20% each Final
exam 30%
Homework: Assignments will be due daily. Class time will be
provided for collaborative work on the assignments. Students are
encouraged to work together both in and out of class, but each
student must write up their solutions independently. Assignments
are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will be
assessed a 10% penalty, and will be accepted up to one week
late.
Exams: There will be two midterm exams and a final exam. All
exams will be closed book and timed. Exam dates: Midterm
(thermodynamics): February 14, in class Midterm (statistical
mechanics): March 26, in class Final (comprehensive): May 2, 9:00
AM to noon
PHYS 8310 Course Schedule
Date Topics Reading 1/15 State variables and equations of state
Reichl 2.A,B,C 1/17 Laws of thermodynamics, work, heat Reichl 2.D
1/22 Entropy Reichl 2.E 1/24 Free energy Reichl 2.F,G 1/29
Joule-Thompson effect Reichl 3.A,B 1/31 Phase transitions Reichl
4.A,B,C 2/5 van der Waals gas, Maxwell construction Reichl 4.D 2/7
-- NO CLASS --
2/12 Binary solutions Reichl 3.C, 4.E 2/14 -- EXAM 1 -- 2/19
Concepts of statistical mechanics Pathria 1.1,2,3 2/21 Ideal gas
Pathria 1.4,5,6 2/26 Classical and quantum descriptions, ensemble
theory Pathria 2.1,2 2/28 Microcanonical ensemble Pathria 2.3,4 3/5
Boltzmann factor, canonical ensemble Pathria 3.1,2,3,4 3/7
Canonical ensemble applications Pathria 3.5,6,7,8
3/12 -- BREAK -- 3/14 -- BREAK -- 3/19 Classical magnetism
Pathria 3.9 3/21 Grand canonical ensemble Pathria 4.1,2,3,4 3/26 --
EXAM 2 -- 3/28 Density matrix Pathria 5.1,2,3,4,5 4/2
Indistinguishable particles Pathria 6.1,2,3 4/4 Bose gas Pathria
7.1 4/9 Bose-Einstein condensation Pathria 7.2
4/11 Black body radiation Pathria 7.3 4/16 Phonon gas Pathria
7.4 4/18 Fermi gas Pathria 8.1, 8.3 4/23 Quantum magnetism Pathria
8.2 4/25 White dwarfs Pathria 8.5 4/30 Catch up and review
