Thermal Physics (PY 413)
PROF. T. SCHAEFER
Physics 413 (Thermal Physics) provides an introduction to
thermodynamics and statistical mechanics intended for undergraduate
students in physics or engineering.
- Lecture:
MWF 9:10-10:00, Dabney 220
Instructor: T. Schaefer, Office BOM-210
email: Thomas_Schaefer[at]ncsu.edu
Office hours: Mo. 1:00-3:00 and by appointment.
- Homework:
Most wednesdays a set of homework problems
will be assigned. (You can also check the website.) The homework
is due wednesday the following week.
- Exams
There will be one midterm exam and a final.
- Grade
Your final grade will be determined by weighting the various
portions of the course as follows:
Midterms: 30%, Final: 40%, Homework: 30%
- Textbook
Daniel V. Schroeder, Thermal Physics (Addison Wesley). Supplemental
references:
- C. Kittel and H. Kroemer, Thermal Physics
- F. Reif, Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics
- R. Baierlein, Thermal Physics
A typical graduate level text is L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz,
Statistical Physics.
Handouts: [binomial coefficients],
[two Einstein solids],
[entropy vs temp],
[surfaces],
[non ideal gas],
[Bose Einstein condensation],
[BEC picture gallery (MIT)]
Animations: [Stirling engine],
[Gasoline (Otto) engine],
[Laser Cooling],
[Evaporative Cooling]
Rules: Homework is due in class. No late homework accepted. No
excuses other than serious illness, death in family, ... Lowest
homework score will be dropped. If you have questions regarding
the grading please contact the grader (
Jingyi Chao, jchao[at]ncsu.edu)
Some formulas and reference data: [ps,
pdf]
- Homework assignment 1: Read Schroeder 1.1-1.6. Do problems
1.8, 1.12, 1.14, 1.16 (due 1-17)
Solutions: [page 1][page 2]
[page 3]
- Homework assignment 2: Schroeder, problems 1.18, 1.28, 1.34, 1.36
(due 1-24)
Solutions: [page 1][page 2]
[page 3]
- Homework assignment 3: Schroeder, problems 1.41, 1.42, 1.50, 2.8
(due 1-31)
Solutions: [page 1][page 2]
[page 3][page 4][page 5]
- Homework assignment 4: Schroeder, problems 3.1, 2.33, 2.34, 2.35 (due
2-21)
Solutions: [page 1][page 2]
[page 3]
- Homework assignment 5: Schroeder, problems 3.34, 4.1, 4.5 (due 2-28)
Solutions: [page 1][page 2]
[page 3][page 4][page 5][page 6]
- Homework assignment 6: Schroeder, problems 4.14, 4.21 (due 3-14)
Solutions: [page 1][page 2]
[page 3][page 4]
- Homework assignment 7: Schroeder, problems 5.5, 5.6, 5.7 (due 3-21)
Solutions: [page 1][page 2]
[page 3]
- Homework assignment 8: Schroeder, problems 5.32, 5.36, 5.42 (due 3-28)
Solutions: [page 1][page 2]
[page 3][page 4]
- Homework assignment 9: Schroeder, problems 6.20, 6.33, 6.42 (due 4-4)
Solutions: [page 1][page 2]
[page 3]
- Homework assignment 10: Schroeder, problems 6.48, 7.3 (due 4-25)
For 6.48: The rotational partition functions is given in equation (6.33).
You can use epsilon(O_2)=1.8*10^(-4) eV (see prob 6.24)
For 7.03: You don't need to understand Sect. 5.6 or the Saha equation
equ. (5.130) (Note that I is an energy). Problem 7.3 provides a simpler derivation of this result.
Solutions: [page 1][page 2]
[page 3]
- Midterm Exam 1: Wednesday 2-7, 9:10-10:00
Material: Chapters 1.1-2.4 of the textbook (HW 1-3)
Rules: Exam is closed book (no notes). Bring a pocket calculator.
A sheet with formulas (similar to this one)
will be provided.
A copy of midterm 1: [ps,pdf]
Solution: [page 1]
[page 2]
- Midterm Exam 2: Monday 4-9, 9:10-10:00
Material: Chapters 1.1-6.7 of the textbook (HW 1-9)
Rules: Exam is closed book (no notes). Bring a pocket calculator.
A sheet with formulas (similar to this one)
will be provided.
A copy of midterm 2: [ps,pdf]
Solution: [page 1]
[page 2]
- Final: Friday 5-4, 8:00-11:00
Material: Chapters 1.1-7.1 of the textbook (no Bose/Fermi distributions)
(HW 1-10)
Rules: Exam is closed book (no notes). Bring a pocket calculator.
A sheet with formulas (similar to this one)
will be provided.
A copy of the final: [ps,pdf]
Solution: [page 1],
[page 2],
[page 3]
Questions? Send email to
thomas_schaefer(at)ncsu_edu
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