PHYSICS 3333

Thermal Physics

Fall 1999

11-12 MWF

LB 307

Course Description: A mathematical treatment of the modern theory of thermodynamics, showing the connection between the macroscopic world and the quantum mechanical world. Topics include entropy, Boltzmann distributions, ideal gases, Carnot engines, and Fermi and Bose gases.

Instructor: Dr. Daniel Suson

Office: Hill 114

Campus: Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Office Hours: 2-3 Monday-Thursday and by appointment

Phone: 361-593-2299

Fax: 512-593-2296

E-Mail: D-Suson@tamuk.edu

Homepage: http://newton.tamuk.edu/~suson/

Textbook: Thermal Physics, 2^nd Edition, by Charles Kittel and Herbert Kroemer

Chapters to be covered: Ch 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Method of Evaluation: Grades will be determined by the use of weekly homework assignments and in-class exams.

Grading breakdown

3 - 1 hour exams	60 %
Homework (see below)	30 %
Attendance	10 %

Every week, I will assign homework problems. Homework is due one week after it is assigned. It is to your advantage to stay current on the homework as it provides you with additional practice necessary for the exams.

All 1 hour exams will be closed book, closed notes.

Course Objectives: The objective of this course is to gain a detailed understanding of the techniques and descriptions used in modern thermal physics.

General Notes: All of the lecture notes, as well as this syllabus are posted on my home page. These documents are available in three different formats: Word for Windows, HTML, and Postscript. Follow the links on my home page to reach the version that you are interested in. These documents can be downloaded and printed out, although I would prefer that they not be widely distributed at this point in time.

Homework assignments and solutions will be posted on my home page as well. The fax number is connected to the fax/modem in my office, so as long as I am in the office, I will see the fax fairly quickly. You can also reach me via e-mail.

Other communications are provided through the use of a chat room and a web based news server. Use these to post questions, discuss opinions and share thoughts with your classmates on every campus.

Material Covered:

Binary models, average values, probability, thermal equilibrium, temperature, entropy, laws of thermodynamics.
Boltzmann distribution, Boltzmann factor, pressure, Helmholtz Free Energy, Ideal gases.
Planck distribution, Planck law, Stefan-Boltzmann law, phonons.
Chemical potential, Gibbs factor, Gibbs sum.
Fermi-Dirac distribution, Bose-Einstein distribution, Fermi gases, Bose gases, Einstein condensation.
Heat engines, Carnot cycle, refrigerators, isothermal work, isobaric heat, chemical work.

All material is covered at a level consistent with other four year universities. A knowledge of calculus and differential equations is assumed.