Description

Lectures

Assignments

Grading

Classical and quantum statistical mechanics and the connection to thermodynamics using the Hamiltonian. Study of distribution functions, entropy and temperature, partition functions, scaling and critical behavior, fluctuations, and transport phenomena. Application to ideal gases, quantum gases, non-ideal gases, and phase transitions.

This course includes one lecture per week with in-class problems, weekly take-home problems, and a final exam.

The course is roughly divided into five groups of material:

1. Statistical ensembles
2. Classical thermal systems
3. Quantum thermal systems
4. Statistical mechanics of fluids
5. Transport theory