Statistical Physics B

Introduction to basic principles in statistical description of many-body systems and presentation of microscopic origins of thermodynamical concepts. Three ensembles for equilibrium systems. Microscopic origin of work, heat, temperature, entropy, pressure, etc. Application to classical and quantum ideal gases.

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. Grand 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

R. K. Pathria and P. D. Beale, Statistical Mechanics

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

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.

written mid-term exam

written final exam

oral final exam

none