PHYS 431 - Thermal and Statistical Physics II

Prerequisites, PHYS 430. Students deepen their understanding of the principles and applications of classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Topics include equilibrium statistical ensembles of classical systems, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, Ising spin chains, quantum Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions, phase transformations, chemical equilibrium, non-ideal gases, and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. Letter grade with Pass/No Pass option. (Offered spring semester, alternate years.) 3 credits