F6082 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. Rikard von Unge, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Lenka Czudková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. Rikard von Unge, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Lenka Czudková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. Rikard von Unge, Ph.D.
Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Supplier department: Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 17. 2. to Sat 24. 5. Tue 11:00–11:50 F4,03017, Tue 12:00–13:50 F2 6/2012
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The subject is an introductory university course of thermodynamics and statistical physics. Contrary to the elements of these disciplines presented partially in the preceding course of general physics it is based on the more general approach (leant on the concepts of thermodynamic potentials and canonic distributions) which enable to join both disciplines into unitary method of statistical thermodynamics. Stress is laid on thorough explanation of basic notions and ideas of thermodynamics and statistical physics and on the discussion of wide range of applications.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students should: understand and be able to explain basic concepts and ideas of thermodynamics and statistical physics; understand and be able to explain both their interconnections and wider relations; be able to analyze and solve application problems.
Syllabus
  • 1. Mathematics. Basic concepts of thermodynamics. Description of systems of many particles. State and process. Thermodynamics equilibrium.
  • 2. The first law of thermodynamics. Force, work and heat. Adiabatic process. Quasistatic and reversible process.
  • 3. Entropy. Energy. Heat. Temperature. The second law of thermodynamics.
  • 4. The third law of thermodynamics. Heat capacity. Processes with ideal gas.
  • 5. Thermodynamic potentials (energy, free energy, enthalpy, Gibbs potential). Maxwell relations.
  • 6. Measurement of macroscopic parameters (temperature, heat capacity, compressibility) and relations between them.
  • 7. Heat engines. Consequences of the third law of thermodynamics.
  • 8. Equilibrium conditions and stability of thermodynamic systems. Dependence of thermodynamic quantities on the mass. Law of mass action.
  • 9. Phase transitions. Classification of phase transitions. The first order phase transitions. Phase diagram.
  • 10. Canonical distribution. Density of states. Maxwell-Boltzmann gas. Virial and equipartition theorem.
  • 11. Fluctuations.
Literature
  • LACINA, Aleš. Základy termodynamiky a statistické fyziky. 1. vyd. Praha: Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1990, 267 s. ISBN 8021001135. info
  • LEONTOVIČ, Michail Aleksandrovič. Úvod do thermodynamiky. 1. vyd. Praha: Nakladatelství Československé akademie věd, 1957, 191 s. info
  • KITTEL, Charles and Herbert KROEMER. Thermal Physics. 2nd ed. New York: W.H. Freeman, 1980, 473 s. ISBN 0-7167-1088-9. info
  • REIF, F. Statistical physics. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1967, xxi, 398. info
  • SCHROEDER, Daniel V. An Introduction to Thermal Physics. San Francisco: Addison Wesley Longman, 2000, 422 pp. ISBN 0-201-38027-7. info
Teaching methods
Lecture with a seminar.
Assessment methods
Examination consists of two parts: written (at least 50% points) and oral.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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