Statistical Physics A (basic) 1102-4AF11
I. Basic principles of statistical mechanics
1. Needs for statistical description
2. Elements of probability theory
3. Important example: Maxwell distribution
4. Ensembles in classical statistics
5. Ensembles in quantum statistics
II. Equilibrium ensembles
1. Concept of equilibrium
2. Micro-canonical ensemble
3. Important example: Classical ideal gas
4. Entropy
5. Temperature and pressure
6. Thermodynamic properties of classical ideal gas
7. Canonical ensemble
8. Grant canonical ensemble
III. Origin of thermodynamics
1. Thermodynamic potentials
2. Derivation of thermodynamic quantities
IV. Ideal quantum gases
1. The grand potential and distribution functions
2. Nearly degenerate Fermi gas
3. Bose-Einstein condensation
4. Phonons and specific heat of solids
5. Black body radiation
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Student understands the statistical description of many-body systems, knows relationships between phenomenological quantities and their microscopic definitions, can solve selected problems of classical and quantum ideal gases.
Assessment criteria
written mid-term exam
written final exam
oral final exam
Practical placement
none
Bibliography
K. Huang, Statistical mechanics.
F. Schwabl, Statistical mechanics
R.H. Swendsen, An introduction to statistical mechanics and thermodynamics
F. Mandl, Statistical physics
H.B. Callen, Thermodynamics
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Astronomy, second cycle programme
- Applications of Physics in Biology and Medicine, second cycle programme
- Physics, second cycle programme
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: