Harding University

Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
PHYS 425

Lambert Murray
Professor of Physics
lmurray@harding.edu

This course is designed as an introduction to thermal physics using the statistical approach. It is, therefore, an introduction to the formal theories of thermodynamics as well as classical and quantum statistical mechanics and kinetic theory.
Prerequisites: Physics 301, Math 351 (may be taken concurrently) or Physics 312.
Outline of Course
(Links to .pdf files - be patient)

NOTES:

Chapter I: Intro to Thermodynamic Systems and Processes
Chapter II: Internal Energy and the First Law
Chapter III: Heat Engines and The Second Law
Chapter IV: General Relationships between State Variables
Chapter V: Fundamental Concepts of Statistical Physics
Chapter VI: Specifying the Statistical State of a System
Chapter VII: Probability Calculations for Small Systems
Chapter VIII: Probability Calculations for Large Systems
Chapter IX: The Density of States and Entropy
Chapter X: The Chemical Potential
Chapter XI: Classical Statistics and The Boltzman Probability Function
Chapter XII: The Partition Function
Chapter XIII: Quantum Statistics

PROBLEMS:

Chapter I:

Thermometry
Equations of State
General

Answers

QUESTIONS:

Chapter I

TABLES AND CHARTS

Property Tables
Compressibility Chart

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Disclaimer:
The information contained herein is for the sole purpose of information and education. Neither I nor Harding University guarantee the correctness of all information presented and are not liable for any reliance by the user on the information obtained through this Web site. However, every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of the content. Please contact me at lmurray@harding.edu if you find anything that is a concern.