Unit information: Thermal Physics in 2021/22

Unit name	Thermal Physics
Unit code	PHYS20027
Credit points	10
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Carrington
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	PHYS10005, PHYS10006, or equivalent.
Co-requisites	None.
School/department	School of Physics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit aims to provide a comprehensive foundation in the area of Thermal Physics. The course deals with both classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. The classical part describes, through a mathematical framework, the interpretation and use of the three laws of thermodynamics, to describe the relationships between the bulk properties of matter. The statistical mechanics part describes how bulk properties are calculated from microscopic models, for both classical and quantum particles.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will

• Understand the meaning and significance of the three laws of thermodynamics.
• Understand the concepts of state-functions, entropy, thermodynamic potentials and chemical potential.
• Be able to derive relations between state functions using the mathematics of partial derivatives, and apply these to applications such as cooling gases, magnetic cooling and phase transitions.
• Understand the principles of statistical mechanics and its relation to classical thermodynamics.
• Understand how to apply different statistical ensembles to derive Boltzmann and Gibbs distribution functions.
• Be able to derive expressions for entropy, and other thermodynamics quantities from microscopic models, with emphasis on the classical ideal gas.
• Understand the relevance of particle distinguishability in statistical mechanics, and in particular the different statistics distributions for fermi and bose particles.
• Apply the statistics of quantum particles to describe fermi and bose gases, with application to for example electrons in metals or a photon gas.

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through a combination of

• asynchronous online materials, including narrated presentations and worked examples
• synchronous group problems classes, workshops, tutorials and/or office hours
• asynchronous directed individual formative exercises and other exercises
• guided, structured reading

Assessment Information

Written timed, open-note examination (80%).

Coursework (20%).

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHYS20027).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.