PHYSICS 394: THERMAL PHYSICS

               Spring 2007

Text: Thermal Physics by D. V. Schroeder (TP)

          An Introduction to Stochastic Processes by D. Lemons (SP)

Instructor: Juan Lin Office: Dunning 210

Office hours: TuWTh : 3:00-3:45 or by appointment.

Attendance Policy: Lecture 90% Minimum

Grade: Homework and simulations 45%. Two tests: 30%, and final exam: 25 %

This course will explain the concepts of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. The aim is to develope some of the theoretical tools that are necessary to solve problems in all branches of physics and the applied sciences. The course will cover main portions the first seven chapters of TP and do several of the stochastic simulations suggested in SP.

There is a useful web site, Thermal Physics, by the author of TP. Check it out.

                             SCHEDULE and HOMEWORK

CHAPTER 1: ENERGY IN THERMAL PHYSICS

Sections1.1-1.6 only.

Due Feb. 1

Problems: 1.8, 1.16, 1.22, 1.23 and 1.28. Do a simulation of 1.1 in SP.

Problems for class discussion: 1.7, 1.17, 1.21 and 1.29.

Due Feb. 8

Problems: 1.34, 1.41, 1.46, 1.48 and 1.50. Solve 2.1 and simulate 2.1 of SP.

Problems for class discussion: 1.36, 1.39, 1.45, and 1.55.

CHAPTER 2: THE SECOND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

Due Feb. 15

Problems: 2.1, 2.5a-b only, 2.9, 2.16, 2.18 and 2.22. Solve 2.4 of SP.

Problems for class discussion: 2.4, 2.8, 2.19 and 2.25.

Due Feb. 22

Problems: 2.29, 2.32, 2.37, 2.38 and 2.42. Solve and simulate 3.1 and 3.2 of SP.

Problems for class discussion: 2.27, 2:30 and 2.36.

CHAPTER 3: INTERACTIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Due March 1

Problems: 3.1, 3.5, 3.10, 3.14 and 3.20.  Solve and simulate 3.3 of SP.

Problems for class discussion: 3.3, 3.13 and 3.21.

Due March 8

Problems: 3.25, 3.28, 3.32, 3.35 and 3.36. Solve 4.1 and 4.2 of SP.

Problems for class discussion: 3.34 and 3.37.

                         FIRST TEST: TUESDAY, March 6.

                                                 CHAPTERS 1 - 3.3

                                            March 12-18: Spring Break

CHAPTER 4: ENGINES

Sections 4.1- 4.2 only.

Due March 22

Problems: 4.1, 4.5, 4.10 and 4.14. Solve 4.3 and 4.4 of SP.

Problems for class discussion: 4.2 and 4.9.

CHAPTER 5: FREE ENERGY

Sections 5.1- 5.3 only.

Due March 29

Problems: 5.1, 5.4, 5.10, 5.11 and 5.14. Simulate 6.2 and 6.3 of SP.

Problems for class discussion: 5.2, 5.6 and 5.12.

Due April 5

Problems: 5.20, 5.22, 5.24, 5.28 and 5.32. Simulate the model as described in Figs. 7.1-7.2 of SP.

Problems for class discussion: 5.19, 5.30 and 5.35.

CHAPTER 6: BOLTZMANN STATISTICS

Due April 12

Problems: 6.3, 6.5, 6.9, 6.18 and 6.20. Simulate the projectile as described in Fig. 8.3 of SP.

Problems for class discussion: 6.4, 6.16 and 6.22.

Due April 19

Problems: 6.23, 6.28, 6.32, 6.42 and 6.49. Simulate the model as described in Figs. 9.2-9.3 of SP.

Problems for class discussion: 6.26, 6.35 and 6.48.

                       SECOND TEST: TUESDAY, April 24.

                                                    CHAPTERS 4 - 6.

CHAPTER 7: QUANTUM STATISTICS

Sections 7.1- 7.4 only. Sommerfeld expansion in Section 7.3 will not be discussed.

Due April 26

Problems: 7.3, 7.10, 7.13, 7.18 and 7.19. Simulate the cyclotron motion of section 9.2 of SP.

Problems for class discussion: 7.1, 7.8, 7.11 and 7.23.

Due May 3

Problems: 7.23, 7.28, 7.42, 7.43, 7.45 and 7.52.

Problems for class discussion: 7.25, 7.41, 7.44 and 7.51.

                                               FINAL EXAM