Statistical Mechanics
Principles and methods of statistical mechanics. Classical and quantum statistics, grand ensembles, fluctuations, molecular distribution functions, and other topics in equilibrium statistical mechanics. Topics in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of irreversible processes.
Spring 2012 · Non-Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics
This course discusses the principles and methods of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. Basic topics covered are stochastic processes, regression and response theory, molecular hydrodynamics, and complex liquids. Selected applications, including fluctuation theorems, condensed phase reaction rate theory, electron transfer dynamics, enzymatic networks, photon counting statistics, single molecule kinetics, reaction-controlled diffusion, may also be discussed.
Readings
- Groot, Sybren Ruurds de, and Peter Mazur. Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics . Dover Publications, 2011. ISBN: 9780486647418.
- Boon, Jean-Pierre, and Sidney Yip. Molecular Hydrodynamics . McGraw-Hill, 1980. ISBN: 9780070065604.
- Reichl, Linda E. A Modern Course in Statistical Physics . Wiley-Interscience, 1998. ISBN: 9780471595205.
- McQuarrie, Donald A. Statistical Mechanics . University Science Books, 2000. ISBN: 9781891389153.
Prerequisites & course information
Prereq: 5.70[J] or permission of instructor Acad Year 2027-2028: Not offered Acad Year 2028-2029: G (Spring; second half of term) 2-0-4 units
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026–2027
- MIT OpenCourseWare ↗Spring 2012
- MIT OCW syllabus ↗
- Historical MIT OpenCourseWare offering. Named reading entries and schedule topics are automatically extracted from the linked source pages.