PHYS430 STATISTICAL THERMODYNAMICS
| Course Code: | 2300430 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 4 (4.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 6.0 |
| Department: | Physics |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Prof.Dr. SADİ TURGUT |
| Offered Semester: | Fall and Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
- Learn the principles of thermodynamics;
- Understand the properties of bulk matter;
- Understand the laws of statistics.
- Make the connection from one atom to the Avagadro number by considering the quantum behavior of atoms and the laws of statistics.
- Apply the rules of macroscopic (thermodynamics) and microscopic (statistical) viewpoints.
- Formulate the behavior of engines, and refrigerators.
- Demonstrate and recognize the concept of free energy, and chemical equilibrium;
- Develop the concept of Boltzmann statistics.
- Develop the concept of Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distribution functions.
Course Content
Characteristic features of macroscopic systems, introduction to concept of ensembles, states accessible to a closed system; thermal interaction, entropy and temperature, mec-hanical and diffusive interactions, canonical ensembles and its applications, introduction to Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics.
Course Learning Outcomes
To understand the properties of bulk matter, principles of a subject called thermodynamics without getting into the microscopic details of atomic physics are often relevant. However, to make the connection from one atom to the Avagadro number, you need to consider the quantum behavior of atoms and the laws of statistics. In this course, we try to cover both thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. For this purpose, before the first midterm, we will cover the concepts and definitions relevant to both macroscopic (thermodynamics) and microscopic (statistical) viewpoints. After the first midterm, we will start with engines, free energy, and chemical equilibrium; later we will discuss Boltzmann statistics in detail prior to the 2nd midterm. After the 2nd midterm, we will discuss the quantum statistics, namely Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distribution functions. By the end of the semester, I expect that the students should develop a pretty good sense of how to assess and characterize a system given a proper description.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | Can understand, model and analyze the fundamental physical processes of nature. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | Can suggest mathematical models to problems they face and solve them by various (approximate/analytical/numerical) approaches. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | Can use basic measurement devices; can choose and apply the best measurement technique. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | Can adequately record their observations, e.g., in a lab book. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | Can design and carry out experiments. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | Can access scientific information sources. | ✔ | |||
| 7 | Can critically analyze and contribute to scientific information. | ✔ | |||
| 8 | Can present scientific information clearly. | ✔ | |||
| 9 | Can analyze systems that contain probabilistic parts; can do error analysis. | ✔ | |||
| 10 | Has the basic programming skills; can solve a simple physical problem or can simulate one with an appropriate language they choose. | ✔ | |||
| 11 | Can actively and skillfully conceptualize, apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information. | ✔ | |||
| 12 | Can produce new ideas and products by using their background in physics. | ✔ | |||
| 13 | Can systematically design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to respond to an existing problem. | ✔ | |||
| 14 | Is effective in oral and written communication skills by using both Turkish and English languages. | ✔ | |||
| 15 | Can do leadership and take initiative. | ✔ | |||
| 16 | Tries to find physics based solutions to the problems of the world that we live in. | ✔ | |||
| 17 | Obeys the ethical rules in the workplace and the society and ascertains that they are obeyed by others. | ✔ | |||
| 18 | Can use the digital communication and computation tools in the most efficient and effective way. | ✔ | |||
| 19 | Can effectively use the knowledge and skills they gained in physics, in observing, analyzing, modeling and solving other societal problems. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution