Theoretical Physics 4B (Thermodynamics and Elements of Statistical Mechanics)

Temperature and heat

1. Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, ideal gas law, temperature and pressure
2. work, heat, entropy, thermodynamical processes

Fundamentals of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics

1. QM many particle systems, density operators
2. entropy, thermal equilibrium, microcanonical distribution
3. canonical distribution, partition functions
4. thermodynamic potentials, stability
5. Jarzynski-Crooks fluctuation theorem

Ideal gases

1. interaction-free quantum gases, classical limes
2. degenerate fermi and bose gas
3. bose einstein condensate
4. photons, thermodynamics of radiation, phonons

Interacting gases, liquids, phase transitions

1. virial expansion, van der Waals equation, phase equilibrium
2. pair correlation, structure factor
3. Poisson-Boltzmann and Debye-Hückel theory

4. lattice gas and Ising model

5. molecular field approximation, Ginzburg-Landau theory, critical exponents

Non equilibrium thermodynamics

1. brownian motion, fluctuation dissipation theorem
2. particle and heat diffusion, Einstein relation

After successful participation, students are able to

1. know the fundamental terms of temperature and heat and master the corresponding relations
2. comprehend the basics of statistical mechanics and their consequences for thermodynamics
3. describe ideal (quantum) gases
4. know important properties and descriptions of interacting gases and liquids as well as the behaviour at phase transitions
5. reproduce an insight into processes of non equilibrium thermodynamics

PH0005, PH0006, PH0007, MA9201, MA9202, MA9203, MA9204

for students studying master of science education mathematics / physics: PH0005, PH0006, PH0007, MA1003, MA1004, MA1103, MA1104

Lectures:
teacher-centred teaching

Special topics tutorials:
teacher-centered teaching with sample calculations
Tutorials:
solutions for problem sheets, discussions and explanations

Blackboard or powerpoint presentation
accompanying informations on-line

D.V. Schroeder: An Introduction to Thermal Physics (Addison Wesley 2000)
R. Balian: From Microphysics to Macrophysics (Springer 1991)
L.D. Landau / E.M. Lifschitz: Lehrbuch der Theoretischen Physik, Band V
S. K. Ma, Statistical Mechanics (World Scientific 1985)
R. K. Pathria, Statistical Mechanics, 2nd Edition (Butterworth Heinemann 1996)
T. Fließbach, Statistische Physik, Spektrum Wissenschaftlicher Verlag

The module exam consists of an oral exam. In this exam students have to show that they have comprehended the fundamentals of statistical mechanics and that they are able to deduce from this the macroscopic laws of thermodynamics.