| PHYS3031 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics | |
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This course emphasizes the understanding of the fundamental concepts and basic theories of thermodynamics, and the analytical skills needed to analyze various thermodynamic systems. In addition to a classical approach to equilibrium thermodynamics and their applications, essential concepts in statistical physics including the relationship between microstates and entropy in an isolated system, the Boltzmann distribution, density of states, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions will be discussed.
Prof. GOH Swee Kuan
Office: SCNB 304,
Tel: 3943 6155,
Email: skgoh@cuhk.edu.hk
Consultation Hour: Wednesday 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, OR by email appointment
Mr. WANG Lingfei
Office: SCNB 315
Email: lfwang@phy.cuhk.edu.hk
Consultation Hour: Tuesday 10:30 am - 12:15 pm
Mr. WANG Wenyan
Office: SCNB 322
Email: wywang@phy.cuhk.edu.hk
Consultation Hour: Monday 2:30 pm - 4:15 pm
Monday 11.30 am - 1.15 pm Science Centre L4
Wednesday 12.30 am - 1.15 pm Science Centre L4
Wednesday 1.30 pm - 2.15 pm Science Centre L4
Thursday 9.30 am - 10.15 am YC Liang Hall 106
Thursday 6.30 pm - 7.15 pm Lee Shau Kee Archi Bldg G02
Adkins, Equilibrium thermodynamics, Cambridge Univ. Press
Blundell and Blundell, Concepts in Thermal Physics, Oxford Univ. Press
Steane, Thermodynamics, Oxford Univ. Press
Homework 20% Mid-term [on 9 March 2022 (Wednesday)14 March 2022 (Monday)]30% Final Exam. 50%
Thermodynamics (about 2/3 of the course):Thermodynamic variables The first law of thermodynamics The second law of thermodynamics Entropy Thermodynamic potentials Phase transitions
Statistical physics (about 1/3 of the course):Microscopic interpretation of entropy Equilibrium distributions (Fermi-Dirac, Bose-Einstein, Maxwell-Boltzmann) Density of states Ideal Fermi gas and Bose gas
Lecture notes, assignments and materials for exercise classes will be distributed via Blackboard.