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)
Mgr. Lenka Czudková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. Rikard von Unge, Ph.D. (lecturer)
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
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 preceeding course of general physics it is based on the more general (Gibbsian) 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 elucidation of basic notions and ideas of thermodynamics and statistical physics and on the discussion of wide range of aplications.
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 problems connected with applications.
Syllabus
  • A. THERMODYNAMICS
  • 1. Basic concepts and ideas of thermodynamics (macroscopic states of a thermodynamic system, the state parameters, the zeroth, first and second thermodynamic laws).
  • 2. Equilibrium thermodynamics (temperature, state equations, heat capacity, entropy, the fundamental thermodynamic equation and its consequences, thermodynamic potentials, the third thermodynamic law).
  • 3. Elements of non-equilibrium thermodynamics (irreversible processes, relaxation of thermodynamic systems, the equilibrium conditions, the phase equilibrium, phase transitions).
  • B. STATISTICAL PHYSICS
  • 4. Basic concepts and ideas of statistical physics (microscopic states of a system, phase spaces, time averaging, statistical averaging, the ergodic hypothesis, fluctuations).
  • 5. Canonical distributions (distribution law as an integral of motion, microcanonical, canonical and grandcanonical distribution, thermodynamic equivalence of canonical distributions).
  • 6. Applications of the canonical distribution to classical systems (Maxwell, Boltzmann and Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, ideal gas in various external conditions, the principle of equipartition of energy and its applications, the classical theory of heat capacity).
  • 7. The statistical interpretation of thermodynamics (distribution law and entropy, partition function and its physical meaning, the method of statistical thermodynamics, basic thermodynamic quantities for classical ideal gas, statistical meaning of entropy and temperature, statistical interpretation of fundamental thermodynamic principles).
  • 8. Statistics and some of their applications (quantum ideal gas, Bose-Einstein, Fermi-Dirac and Boltzmann distribution laws).
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
  • KUBO, Ryogo. Termodinamika : sovremennyj kurs s zadačami i rešenijami. Translated by A. G. Baškirov - Je. Je. Tarejeva. Moskva: Mir, 1970, 304 s. info
  • KUBO, Ryogo. Statističeskaja mechanika : sovremennyj kurs s zadačami i rešenijami. Moskva: Mir, 1967, 452 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
  • BAIERLEIN, Ralph. Thermal physics. 1st publ. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999, xiii, 442. ISBN 9780521658386. info
  • OBDRŽÁLEK, Jan. Úvod do termodynamiky, molekulové a statistické fyziky. Vydání první. Praha: Matfyzpress, 2015, 333 stran. ISBN 9788073782870. info
  • ZAJAC R. and PIŠÚT J. Štatistická fyzika (Statistical Physics). Bratislava: Univerzita Komenského, 1995. info
  • KLVAŇA, František, Aleš LACINA and J. NOVOTNÝ. Sbírka příkladů ze statistické fyziky. 1. vyd. Brno: Rektorát UJEP, 1974, 169 s. info
Teaching methods
Lecture with a seminar.
Assessment methods
Examination consists of two parts: written and oral.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
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.
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