Thermodynamics

Abstract

Thermodynamics and its applications, and the basics of the Kinetic Theoryof Gases and of Statistical Mechanics: equilibrium, work and heat, Laws ofThermodynamics, Carnot process, absolute temperature, entropy, ideal gas,thermodynamic potentials, phase transitions, multicomponent systems;Boltzmann equation, H-Theorem, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution; statisticalensembles.

Objective

Develop a physical understanding for thermodynamic phenomena and first contakt with statistical descriptions, e.g., transport described through Boltzmann equation or classical statistical physics. Equilibrium thermodynamics as described via state variables as opposed to non-equilibrium transport phenomena. Understanding of phase transformations, e.g., liquid-gas or ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition. Ability to solve simple simple problems. Application of (previously learned) mathematical concepts such as theory of functions of many variables, integrability, Legendre transformation, partial differential equations, statistical sums. Preparation for (quantum-)statistical mechanics.

Content

Thermodynamics and its applications, and the basics of the Kinetic Theory of Gases and of Statistical Mechanics: equilibrium, work and heat, Laws of Thermodynamics, Carnot process, absolute temperature, entropy, ideal gas, thermodynamic potentials, phase transitions, multicomponent systems; Boltzmannequation, H-Theorem, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution; statistical ensembles.

Resources