Updated 2007 Dec 02 Sun

PHYS 432 Thermal Physics -- Fall 2007

Location:  MP-408       Time:  MWF 10:40 - 11:30pm
Prerequisites:  PHYS 212 and MATH 333
Required Preparation (mathematical): Ability to master Appendix B of Schroeder
Recommended Preparation (quantum physics): Appendix A on Quantum Mechanics in Schroeder

Text: Introduction to Thermal Physics by Daniel Schroeder, 1st edition
     • Author's corrections to first edition
URL:  http://www.boisestate.edu/physics/hanna/phys432/
Instructor:  Dr. Hanna     channa@boisestate.edu     (208) 426-4812     MP-423
Office Hours:  MWF 4:30-5:30pm in MP-423, or by appointment


Week

Mon date

Topics

 


Part 1:    First and Second Laws
(Exam 1 over Chapters 1 and 2 on Wed Oct 3)

1. 

8/27 

Thermal Equilibrium;  Ideal Gas;  Heat and Work
reading:  1.1-1.2a (1-7);  1.2b-1.3 (10-17);  1.4-1.5a (17-22)
H1 due 9/5:   1.7, 1.8, 1.16, 1.31, 1.33, 1.34

2. 

9/3 

(Labor Day);  Compression;   Heat Capacity
reading:  1.5b (23-26);  1.6a (28-30)
H2 due 9/10:   1.36, 1.38, 1.40, 1.41, 1.42, 1.45

3. 

9/10 

Latent Heat and Enthalpy;  Two-State Systems;  Einstein Solid
reading:  1.6b-1.6c (32-35);  2.1 (49-53);  2.2 (53-55)
H3 due 9/17:   1.48, 1.50, 1.54, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5

4. 

9/17

Interacting Systems;  Large Systems;  Monatomic Ideal Gas
reading:  2.3 (56-59);  2.4 (60-66);  2.5a (68-72)
H4 due 9/24:  2.8, 2.13, 2.16, 2.18, 2.22, 2.26

5. 

9/24

Interacting Ideal Gas;  Entropy;  Mixing
reading:  2.5b (72-74);  2.6a,b (74-78);  2.6c,d (79-83)
H5 due 10/1:  2.27, 2.28, 2.29, 2.30, 2.32, 2.38

6. 

10/1 

Review;  Exam 1 (Wed Oct 3);  Temperature & Entropy
reading:  (Review Chapters 1 & 2);  (Exam 1);  3.1,3.2 (85-97)
H6 due 10/8:  2.24, 2.34, 2.36, 2.37, 3.1, 3.3

 


Part 2:    Thermodynamics
(Exam 2 over Chapters 3, 4.1-4.2, 5.1-5.4 on Wed Nov 7)

7. 

10/8

Paramagnetism;  Mechanical Equilibrium;  Diffusive Equilibrium
reading:  3.3 (98-107);  3.4 (108-113);  3.5,3.6 (115-121)
H7 due 10/15:  3.20, 3.25, 3.31, 3.32, 3.35, 3.37

8. 

10/15 

Heat Engines;  Refrigerators and Throttling;  Free Energy
reading:  4.1 (122-126);  4.2 (127-129), 4.4b (139-143);  5.1 (149-158)
H8 due 10/22:  4.1, 4.2, 4.10, 4.15, 5.5, 5.11

9. 

10/22 

Toward Equilibrium;  Phase Transformations;  Clausius-Clapeyron
reading:  5.2 (161-165);  5.3a,b (166-171);  5.3c (172-174)
H9 due 10/29:  5.20, 5.23, 5.28, 5.32, 5.35, 5.36

10. 

10/29 

van der Waals Model;  Mixtures;  Phase Changes of Mixtures
reading:  5.3d (180-185);  5.4a (186-191) ;  5.4b,c (192-199)
H10 due 11/5:  5.48, 5.51, 5.52, 5.60, 5.64, 5.68

11. 

11/5 

Review;  Exam 2 (Wed Nov 7);  Dilute Solutions
reading:  (Review Chapters 3,4,5);  (Exam 2);  5.5a,b,c (200-204)
H11 due 11/12:  5.22, 5.30, 5.37, 5.75, 5.76, 5.77

12. 

11/12 

Boiling & Freezing Points;  Chemical Equilibrium;  Equilibrium in Water
reading:  5.5d (206-208);  5.6a,b (208-213);  5.6c,d,e (214-219)
H12 due 11/26:  5.81, 5.82, 5.84, 5.87, 5.91, 5.92

 

 

 

11/19-11/25

 

Thanksgiving Break

 

 


Part 3:    Statistical Mechanics
(Final Exam over chapters 5.5-5.6, 6.1-6.3, 6.5-6.7, 7.1-7.3, 7.6 on Wed Dec 19)

 

13. 

11/26 

Boltzmann Factor;  Average Values;  Equipartition and Free Energy
reading:  6.1 (220-227);  6.2 (229-236);  6.3,6.5 (238-240,247-248)
H13 due 12/3:  6.6, 6.12, 6.18, 6.20, 6.23, 6.31

 

14. 

12/3

Composite Systems;  Gibbs Factor;  Bosons and Fermions
reading:  6.6,6.7 (249-255);  7.1 (257-260);  7.2 (262-269)
H14 due 12/10:  6.43, 6.44, 7.6, 7.10, 7.11, 7.13

 

15. 

12/10 

Fermi Gas;  Density of States;  Bose-Einstein Condensation
reading:  7.3a,b (271-276);  7.3c,d (277-282);  7.6 (315-323)
H15 (extra credit) due 12/17:  7.19, 7.22, 7.26, 7.28, 7.66, 7.73

 

 


*** FINAL EXAM on Wed Dec 19, 10:30am-12:30pm ***

 

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: 75% 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 25% each) and a two-hour final exam (worth 25%).  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: 25% of your 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.

LECTURES & ASSIGNED READINGS: Class lectures relate closely to the assigned readings in the text.  Students are expected to attend all lectures and participate actively in class.  Consult the syllabus and read the assigned pages before the material is covered in class.  Carefully work through all numbered examples in the assigned reading.  As you read, write down any questions you have about the reading and the numbered examples, and ask questions in class.

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, except for H15, 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