PHY 3513: Thermodynamics

Fall 2017

Description of the Course:

PHY 3513 is an intermediate level course on classical and statistical thermodynamics. It covers the topics of temperature, heat, ideal gases, the laws of thermodynamics, phase transitions, calorimetry, entropy, thermodynamic potentials, Boltzmann statistics, quantum statistics, Fermi gases, and blackbody radiation.

Prerequisites: Elementary University Physics (PHY 2048 and PHY 2049)

Highly Recommended Course: Multivariable Calculus (MAP 2313)

Text Book: Daniel V. Schroeder, An Introduction to Thermal Physics, Addison Wesley Longman, ISBN-10: 0-201-38027-7

Office hours: MoWedFri: 11-12am, Office CP 226

Course Outline:

Topic	Text	Lecture dates
Heat and Work First Law of Thermodynamics Ideal Gases Phase Transitions and Calorimetry	sects 1.1-1.6 sect 5.3	8/21- 9/8 9/18 (9 classes) 9/4, Monday, Labor Day Holiday (University Closed)
Second Law of Thermodynamics Entropy	sect 2.6 sects 3.1-3.2, 3.4 sects 4.1-2	9/11-9/25 9/20-10/04 (7 classes)
Thermodynamic Potentials Chemical Potential	sects 3.3, 3.5 sects 5.1-3, 5.6	9/27-10/9 10/06-10/18 (6 classes)
Boltzmann Statistics Applications	sects 2.1-2.5 chapter 6	10/11-11/3 10/20-11/15 (11 classes) 11/10 Friday, Veterans Day (University Closed)
Quantum Statistics Fermi gases Blackbody Radiation	sects 7.1-7.4	11/6-11/29 11/17-12/08 (9 classes) 11/23-11/24 Thurs & Friday, Thanksgiving (University Closed)

Test Dates:

Test I -- Friday, 22 29 September (First Law; Calorimetry)

Test II -- Friday, 20 27 October (Second Law; Potentials)

Test III -- Monday, 17 27 November (Boltzmann Statistics)

Test IV -- Monday, 4 11 December (Quantum Statistics)

Problem Sets:

Set 1 -- due Wed, 6 20 Sept

Set 2 -- due Mon, 18 25 Sept

Set 3 -- due Mon, 2 9 Oct

Set 4 -- due Mon, 16 23 Oct

Set 5 -- due Mon, 30 Oct 6 Nov

Set 6 -- due Mon, 13 20 Nov

Set 7 -- due Fri, 22 1 Dec

Set 8 -- due Fri, 1 8 Dec

Problem Solutions:

SET 1

SET 2

SET 3

SET 4

SET 5

SET 6

SET 7

SET 8

Test Solutions:

TEST 1

TEST 2

TEST 3

TEST 4

Grades:

Grades will be based on the problem assignments and four exams as follows:

Each of the four tests -- 20%

Homework -- 20%

A passing grade (C or better) will require approximately 50% of the total points possible; an A grade will require 85% of the total points possible.

All tests must be taken on the scheduled date. Makeup tests will not be given. If you miss a test for any reason, you will receive a zero grade for that test.

Incompletes:

Incompletes will be given only in the event of an emergency occurring immediately prior to the date of the last test. To receive an incomplete, a student must provide documentation to support the claim of an emergency. Students who do not have a passing grade at the time of the last test will not be given an incomplete under any circumstances. Incompletes normally have to be made up within one month of the end of the semester.

Homework Assignments:

Homework will consist of reading from the text and problem assignments. It is generally advisable to carry out the reading before the corresponding material is discussed in lecture. The problem assignments can be downloaded and the due dates obtained on the problem sets page. Late assignments will not be accepted. While collaboration on homework assignments is allowed, simply copying another student's solutions is not allowed and will be considered cheating.