Ph 426 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Concepts of temperature, work, and heat; first and second laws of thermodynamics and applications; thermodynamic potentials; heat engines, Carnot cycle, and ideal gases; entropy and its statistical interpretation; kinetic theory of gases; classical and quantum statistics; introduction to statistical mechanical ensembles. Also offered for graduate-level credit as Ph 526 and may be taken only once for credit. Recommended prerequisites: Ph 203 or Ph 213, Mth 254, and Ph 311.