This course is part one of a two term course on Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics. The first term (PH 641, this course) provides a thorough introduction into thermodynamics and classical and quantum statistical mechanics. Examples will be taken from a broad range of topics and disciplines: Physics, chemistry, biology, cosmology, and more.
The second part (Fall 2016) will cover both foundations and advanced topics: examples of possible topics are critical phenomena, correlations and fluctuations, non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, and renormalization group theory.
Course Title PH 641 Statistical Thermophysics
Website http://physics.oregonstate.edu/~grahamat/COURSES/ph641
Credits 3
Instructor Matt W. Graham
Office Weniger 375
Office hours MT 12-1
Location Weniger 377 (sometimes in 304 or 212)
Hours MWF 11am-11:50am
Midterm
Final exam Weniger 304.
Undergraduate thermodynamics and statistical mechanics course like PH 441 Thermal and Statistical Methods or instructors consent. The course will cover all material needed to understand all concepts but the pace will be brisk and keeping up with the material will be challenging with no or weak background.
James P. Sethna, Statistical Mechanics: Entropy, Order Parameters, and Complexity, Oxford University Press. http://pages.physics.cornell.edu/~sethna/StatMech/ (.pdf of textbook)
(Sethna is used for the 2nd half of 641 and all of 642)
You will also need a basic reference for thermodynamics. Usually the textbook of your undergraduate Thermodynamics course will do the job. A few recommendations are
- Daniel V. Schroeder, Thermal Physics.
- Charles Kittel and Herbert Kroemer, Thermal Physics.
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics notes by Prof. Jansen:
While I will not follow these notes, they are very detailed and immensely useful. The Thermodynamics notes can also be used as a basic reference text.
Homework will be given approximately every week (usually Wednesdays) and is due one week later. Homework sets have equal weight (scaled to 100 points) and the lowest score for one homework set will be discarded. Full solutions to all problems will be provided, which are for students personal use only. Do not post solutions on the web or otherwise pass them on to others.
Short in class quizzes (approx. 5-10 min) will be given approximately every week.
- Homework 30%
- Quizzes 10% (roughly weekly, for your benefit)
- Midterm exam 20%
- Final exam 40%
The final exam is comprehensive and covers material from the entire course.
For this course it is allowed and encouraged to work together on homework. Working together does not mean copying. Homework solutions from previous years are strictly off-limits. You are on your honor not to use them, and never to share your homework solutions with other students, now or in the future. Likewise, the solutions are for your personal use only. You may keep one copy in your personal files. Each student must write and submit his/her own homework solutions. We will follow the university guidelines, see OSU Student Conduct & Community Standards.
Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Students with accommodations approved through SSD are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through SSD should contact SSD immediately at 737-4098.