Statistical Physics I

Calendar

LEC #	TOPICS	KEY DATES
1	Probability: 1 Random Variable
2	Probability: 2 or More Random Variables
3	Probability: Functions of a Random Variable	Problem set 1 due
4	Probability: Sums of RVs and Central Limit Theorem
5	Thermodynamic Variables and State Functions	Problem set 2 due
6	The First Law and Paths
7	Statistical Mechanics and the Microcanonical Ensemble	Problem set 3 due
8	Entropy, Temperature, and the Second Law
9	Entropy as a Thermodynamic Variable	Problem set 4 due
10	Maxwell Relations and Thermodynamic Potentials	Problem set 5 due
Exam 1
11	Heat Engines and Carnot Cycles
12	Derivation of the Canonical Ensemble	Problem set 6 due
13	Examples Using the Canonical Ensemble
14	Polyatomic Gases	Problem set 7 due
15	Black Body Radiation
16	Paramagnets	Problem set 8 due
17	Quantum States of Many-particle Systems	Problem set 9 due
18	Chemical Potential and Grand Canonical Ensemble
Exam 2
19	Density of States and Free Fermi Gas
20	Stellar Configurations and White Dwarfs	Problem set 10 due
21	Interesting and Counter-Intuitive Examples
22	Bose-Einstein Condensation	Problem set 11 due
Final Exam