Prerequisites

Before entering this topic, students should:

  • Understand the quantization of normal modes in an oscillating system with boundary conditions.
  • Know how to find the dispersion relation for an infinite chain of monatomic atoms or diatomic molecules.
  • Have a grasp on what a phonon is.
  • Know the equipartition theorem for solids.
  • Know how to find the heat capacity of a substance from its total energy.

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