Location: MP-408
Time: MWF 10:40 - 11:30pm
Prerequisites: PHYS 309
Required Preparation (mathematical): MATH 275 and ability to master
Appendix B of Schroeder
Recommended Review (quantum physics): Appendix A on Quantum Mechanics
in Schroeder
Students who have received credit for
PHYS 432 may not enroll in PHYS 532.
Text: Introduction
to Thermal Physics by Daniel Schroeder, 1st edition
• Author's corrections to
the 1st edition
URL: http://www.boisestate.edu/physics/hanna/phys432/
Instructor: Dr. Hanna
channa@boisestate.edu
(208) 426-3775 MP-425
Office Hours: MW 4:00-5:00pm in MP-425, or by appointment
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Week |
Mon date |
Topics |
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1. |
8/24 |
Thermal Equilibrium; Ideal Gas;
Heat and Work |
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2. |
8/31 |
Compression; Heat Capacity; Latent Heat and Enthalpy |
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3. |
9/7 |
(Labor Day); Two-State
Systems; Einstein Solid |
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4. |
9/14 |
Interacting Systems; Large Systems; Monatomic Ideal Gas |
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5. |
9/21 |
Interacting Ideal Gas;
Entropy; Mixing |
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6. |
9/28 |
Review; Exam 1 (Wed
Sep 30); Temperature & Entropy |
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7. |
10/5 |
Paramagnetism; Mechanical Equilibrium; Diffusive Equilibrium |
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8. |
10/12 |
Heat Engines; Refrigerators and Throttling; Free Energy |
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9. |
10/19 |
Toward Equilibrium; Phase Transformations; Clausius-Clapeyron |
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10. |
10/26 |
van der
Waals Model; Free Energy of a
Mixture; Review |
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11. |
11/2 |
Boltzmann Factor; Exam 2 (Wed Nov 4); Average Values |
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12. |
11/9 |
Equipartition and Free Energy; Composite Systems; Gibbs Factor
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13. |
11/16 |
Bosons and Fermions; Fermi Gas;
Density of States |
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11/23-11/29 |
Thanksgiving Break |
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14. |
11/30 |
Planck Distribution; Photon Gas;
Cavity Radiation |
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15. |
12/7 |
Debye Solids; PHYS 532 presentations; Bose-Einstein Condensation |
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GOALS: To obtain a basic understanding of the key concepts of thermal physics, especially the use and basic applications of equilibrium statistical mechanics and elementary thermodynamics in problems of pedagogical and practical importance. The course objectives will be accomplished through lecture and discussion of selected topics in class and by students working through the assigned parts of text, including all assigned homework problems. Assessment will come from exams and assigned homework.
SYLLABUS: The syllabus describes the intended progression of the course. The syllabus and homework assignments will be revised as needed. Changes to the syllabus and the homework assignments will be posted on the course web page, http://www.boisestate.edu/physics/hanna/phys432/, which should be checked frequently for updates.
EXAMS: 66% of your grade is based on the exams. The exams are based on the textbook readings, the numbered examples in the text, the homework, and the class lectures. ALL EXAMS WILL BE COUNTED, AND NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. There will be two in-class exams (worth 22% each) and a two-hour final exam (worth 22%). Only simple scientific calculators allowed during exams: no calculators that are capable of graphing, integration, differentiation, or symbolic algebra are allowed. You may bring one 8.5" by 11" sheet of formulas for each exam, plus the formula sheets from your previous PHYS 432 exams. All formula sheets must be labeled at the top with your name and the exam number, be signed and handwritten by you, and be turned in with your exam. Your formula sheet should contain only numbered formulas from those sections of the chapters that are covered on the exam, and you must write the textbook equation number next to each formula. No other comments, drawing, or other information are allowed on the formula sheet. It is your responsibility to know the meaning of every symbol on your formula sheet, and to understand the meaning, applicability, and use of every equation that you include on your formula sheet.
HOMEWORK: 34% of the PHYS 432 grade is based on the homework. 22% of the PHYS 532 grade is based on the homework. Hand in what you have on the due date, at the beginning of class. NO LATE HOMEWORK ACCEPTED. Homework problems will form the basis for many of the exam problems. Look over your graded homework carefully and make sure you can work and understand every assigned homework problem. You are strongly encouraged to talk to the instructor about homework problems that you do not understand.
PHYS 532 PROJECT: 12% of the PHYS 532 grade is based on a written paper (8% of grade) and PowerPoint presentation of the paper (4% of grade). PHYS 532 students will write a researched paper, with references, on a thermal-physics topic selected in consultation with the instructor, and will give a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation to the class, followed by time for questions. Paper format: Title page (title, author name and information, one-paragraph abstract), at least 10 pages worth of double-spaced text for the main body (12-point font, 1-inch margins all around), not counting equations, figures, and references in standard form. Please provide a hard copy of the paper, and e-mail the source files of the paper and the presentation to the instructor, on the due date.
LECTURES & ASSIGNED
EXTRA CREDIT: Extra credit problems that are an integral part of the textbook readings may be given from time to time in class. They should be handed in at the due date of the earliest upcoming homework assignment with that homework assignment. In addition, the first person who emails the instructor with an accurate finding (and proposed correction) of an error in the text that has not already been listed in the Author’s Corrections (see the web links near the beginning of the syllabus) will also receive extra credit. Note that the total possible amount of extra credit is very small (maximum of 1% to 2% of the total points in the course), so students should only attempt extra credit if it enhances their learning and does not interfere with their course assignments and responsibilities.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Although you are encouraged to discuss the class lectures, readings, and assignments with your classmates, all the work that you turn in must be your own. NO CHEATING OR PLAGIARISM (PRESENTING OTHER PEOPLE'S WORK AS IF IT WERE YOUR OWN) WILL BE TOLERATED, INCLUDING ANY USE OF HOMEWORK SOLUTIONS FOUND ON THE WEB. If you make use of sources besides the class lectures or textbooks, you must provide explicit written references to the sources you use. Failure to follow this rule or any others listed in the Student Code of Conduct could have drastic consequences, including (but not limited to) ejection from the course with a failing grade.
GRADING: A- to A+ = 90 - 100, B- to B+ = 75 - 90, C- to C+ = 60 - 75, D- to D+ = 45 - 60