Department of Physics

East Hall, 2 Lippitt Road, Kingston, RI 02881

physics@etal.uri.edu401-874-2104

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PHY 420: Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

 

Course Information

Please note that exact details of the course can vary

Professor:  Dr. Alexander Meyerovich

Semester: Fall, every year
Credits: 3
Prerequisites:Prior completion of PHY 205 and MTH 243 (or equivalent)

Catalog Description:Emphasis on laws of thermodynamics and properties of thermodynamic systems, kinetic theory of gases, molecular velocity distributions, transport phenomena, Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics

Course Goals & Outcomes

Upon completion, successful students will be able to:

  • Understand important topics of thermodynamics and statistical physics
  • Develop critical thinking and appropriate problem solving skills
  • Solve quantitative problems pertaining to the course
  • Apply concepts learned in lecture to real-life problems and situations

Course Description

This course meets 2 times per week for lectures. Topics covered in this course include:

  • Energy in thermal physics; work and heat
  • Energy conservation law and the first law of thermodynamics
  • Entropy and the second law of thermodynamics
  • The Einstein model of a solid
  • The ideal gas
  • Temperature
  • Paramagnetism
  • Mechanical equilibrium and pressure
  • Diffusive equilibrium and chemical potential
  • Engines and refrigerators
  • Free energy and chemical thermodynamics
  • Boltzmann-Maxwell statistics
  • Partition function
  • Elements of quantum statistics
  • Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions

 

Contact Information:  Dr. Alexander Meyerovich

LEC: (3 crs.) Emphasis on laws of thermodynamics and properties of thermodynamic systems, kinetic theory of gases, molecular velocity distributions, transport phenomena, Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics. (Lec. 3) Pre: PHY 205 and MTH 243.

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