Course syllabus for Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-10 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameTermodynamik och statistisk mekanik
  • CodeFTF141
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKTFY
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyEngineering Physics
  • ThemeEnvironment 1.5 c
  • DepartmentPHYSICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 57125
  • Maximum participants180
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0122 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		7.5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c
  • 30 Okt 2024 am J
  • 08 Jan 2025 am J
  • 20 Aug 2025 am J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Classical mechanics and basic quantum physics. Multivariabel analysis. Basic probability theory and statistics.

Aim

The purpose of the course is to provide basic knowledge about thermodynamic relations and statistical distributions, so that the student after finished course will be able to apply these laws to various practical problems and also be able to assimilate new scientific and technical information in order to attack novel and more complicated technological problems.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • describe the concept of energy in thermodynamics and distinguish the concepts of energy, heat and work;
  • perform thermodynamic calculations for different processes and understand the significance of quasi-static processes;
  • explain the concept of entropy based on a microscopic description;
  • calculate entropy and other thermodynamic quantities based on a microscopic description of simple model systems;
  • explain the relationship between the microscopic description of statistical mechanics and the phenomenological thermodynamics;
  • describe and apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics for closed and open systems;
  • explain the concept of free energy and apply this in connection with thermodynamic equilibrium and available work;
  • explain the basics of phase equilibrium, both in one- and two-component systems;
  • explain the basic distributions in statistical mechanics and be able to use them in different applications;
  • explain black body radiation and set up relationships for radiation balance;
  • explain quantum statistics and be able to apply this to ideal quantum gases and master the concept of state density;
  • with thermodynamic concepts analyze energy balances and energy utilization in relation to sustainable development and the environment

    • Content

    Basic thermodynamic concepts as equilibrium, reversible and irreversible processes, state functions, heat and work. Statistical description of many-body systems and the concept of multiplicity and entropy. The laws of thermodynamics. Application of thermodynamics to heat engines, refrigerators and heat pumps. Thermodynamic potentials, free energies and chemical potential. Phase equilibrium in one and two-component systems. Microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles. Equipartition theorem. Maxwell velocity distribution. Applications to classical ideal gases, lattice vibrations, paramagnetism and adsorption problems. Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distribution functions for ideal quantum gases and density of states. Applications to electrons in metals and in semi-conductors. Planck distribution, blackbody radiation and heat balance applied to the earth atmosphere.

    Organisation

    Instruction is given in the form of lectures and problem-solving sessions. These are supplemented by one compulsory experimental exercise.

    Literature

    Daniel V. Schroeder: An Introduction to Thermal Physics (Oxford University Press).

    Examination including compulsory elements

    The course ends with a written exam including questions that probe conceptual understanding and problem solving skills. During the course there is two home assignments, which may give points for the exam. The experimental exercise is compulsory.

    The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.