A study of thermal and statistical physics incorporating a survey of classical thermodynamics. Topics include a statistical treatment of entropy, temperature, thermal radiation, chemical potential, and Helmholtz and Gibbs free energy. The Boltzmann, Planck and Gibbs distributions as well as ideal, Bose and Fermi gases are considered. Applications are made to metals, semiconductors, superconductors and astrophysics. Prerequisite: PHY 202 (PHY 304 and 311 are recommended). Required in the field of concentration. Spring, even-numbered years.
Prerequisite Courses