Statistical Mechanics

Three credits · Undergraduate

This advanced course explores thermodynamics and its relationship to statistical mechanics. Topics include review of the thermodynamic postulates and conditions for equilibrium; extensive and intensive quantities; entropic and energetic formulations; Euler equation and Gibbs-Duhem relation; Legendre-transformed representations; response functions and Maxwell relations; stability; first-order phase transitions; van der Waals fluid; critical point and second-order phase transitions; Ising model of magnetic systems; connection to statistical mechanics through numerical models. Prerequisite: PHYS 344. Three credits and lab.