Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (undergraduate level)
General Information
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Method: 2 hours lecture and 2 hours seminar per week
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Instructor: Dr. Sorinel Adrian Oprisan
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Prerequisite:
- Calculus (Ordinary Differential Equations)
Course Description:
The goal is to learn the methods of equilibrium thermodynamics and to understand their statistical foundations. While the topic of equilibrium thermodynamics is very extensive, our focus will be on some very specific concepts. We will study the mathematical foundations of the thermodynamic theory. The principles of classical thermodynamics will be discussed in details and concrete examples are provided to support their validity and emphasize their generality. The fundamental principles of classical and quantum statistical physics will be presented. In depth analyses of simple systems will be used to highlight the correspondence between the macroscopic description (thermodynamics) and the microscopic view (statistics) of the world.
Instructional Objectives:
At the end of the course, the students should be able to apply the thermodynamics principles to solve elementary physico-chemical processes, to understand and characterize the phase transition processes. The students should be able to identify the microscopic ensemble appropriate to solve a simple phisico-chemical system using Gibbs framework.
Texts:
1. Glansdorff P., I. Prigogine, Thermodynamic theory of structure stability and fluctuations, Amsterdam, 1973
2. Kreuzer H.J., Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics and Its Statistical Foundations, Clarendon, Oxford, 1981
3. Ignat M., Curs de termodinamica si fizica statistica, Ed. Univ. Al.I.Cuza Iasi, 1974
Topics:
1. Classical Thermodynamics of Equilibrium Processes
1.1. Fundamental postulates of thermodynamics
1.2. The First Principle of Thermodynamics. Caloric coefficients
1.3. The Second Principle of Thermodynamics.
1.4. The Third Principle of Thermodynamics. Nernst-Planck theorem
1.5. Variable mass systems
1.5.1. Chemical potential
1.5.2. Phase equilibrium
1.5.3. Phase transitions
2. Classical Statistical Mechanics
2.1. Phase space. Liouvulle theorem and equation
2.2. Gibbs ensemble theory
2.2.1. Microcanonical ensemble
2.2.2. Canonical ensemble
2.2.3. Macrocaonic ensemble
Evaluation and Grading
Homeworks: One homework every two weeks will be assigned. The purpose is to highlight special techniques presented during the lectures. The assignments may be both analytical and computational. The usual due date is usually after two weeks. Late homeworks are severely penalized (ten percent of the total grade each day). Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
Midterm Examinations: There are two written, in-class, partial examinations. There is one comprehensive final exam. No makeup exams. The exams are tentatively scheduled for ...
Grading: Final grade is the weighted average with
Supplementary bibliography
  1. Vīlcu R., A. Dobrescu, Termodinamica proceselor ireversibile, Ed. Tehnica, Bucuresti, 1982.
  2. Titeica S., Termodinamica, Ed. Academiei, Bucuresti, 1982.
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