PHY227-- THERMODYNAMICS & STATISTICAL MECHANICS

Spring 2014

This course will provide an introduction to thermodynamics and statstical mechanics.

Class Hours: Tues and Thurs 16:50-18:05 Lattimore 210

Prof:     Eric Blackman, Bausch &Lomb 417,  blackman@pas.rochester.edu

     Office Hours: Friday 3:30-5pm

TA: Shin-Han Hung, Bausch &Lomb 304,   shihhan@pas.rochester.edu

     Office Hours:

Textbook:

The required course textbook is: "Thermal Physics" by Kittel and Kroemer (2nd Edition)

Syllabus:

The approximate syllabus and order of topics to be covered is below: (Subject to change as course proceeds.)

1. Introduction/ Multiplicity of States

2. Entropy and Temperature

3: Boltzmann Distribution and Helmholtz Free Energy

4. Thermal Radiation

5. Chemical Potential and Gibbs Distribution

6. Ideal Gas

7. Bose and Fermi Gasses

8. Heat and Work

9. Gibbs Free Energy and Reactions

10. Phase Transformations

11. Binary Mixtures ?

12. Kinetic Theory ?

Coursework:

(1) Homework problem sets (25%)

(2) Midterm exam (32%) on 3/6/14; Final Exam (43%).

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Problem Sets:

All Homework to be turned into the course locker near B&L 106 by 6pm on the due date shown.

Homework Set 1 Due Fri 1/31

Homework Set 2 Due Fri 2/14

Homework Set 3 Due Fri 2/28

Homework Set 4 Due Fri 3/21

Homework Set 5 Due Mon 4/7

Homework Set 6 Due Mon 4/18

Homework Set 7 Due Wed 4/30

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Supplementary Material: