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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| 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%).
Reading and References
Recommended reading - Blundell and Blundell - Concepts in Thermal Physics
