Thermal Physics

Catalog description

Prerequisite: General Physics I (PHYS 2040) or equivalent; General Physics II (PHYS 2041) or equivalent; Classical and Quantum Waves (PHYS 3543) or an equivalent intermediate physics course; and Multivariable Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Vector Calculus, and Differential Equations (MATH 3516) taken previously or concurrently We encounter temperature on a daily basis when we check our weather apps and have undoubtedly heard discussions about the greenhouse effect and Earth’s warming climate. But what do scientists mean by warming? How can they model it? And what even is temperature? In this course, we will dig into the fascinating world of thermal physics, which is important for delving into many more advanced topics in physics, geosciences, or chemistry. Topics will include: thermodynamics, including energy, temperature, work, heat, and ideal gases; statistical mechanics, including entropy, partition functions, distributions, chemical potential, nonideal gases, bosonic gas, and fermionic gas; and applications from physics, chemistry, and engineering, such as engines, refrigerators, Bose- Einstein condensates, black holes, and climate models. For conference work, students will be encouraged to model a simple thermal system of their choice, using the mathematical and numerical methods developed throughout the course. Courses offered in related disciplines this year are listed below. Full descriptions of the courses may be found under the appropriate disciplines. General Chemistry I (p. 36), Colin Abernethy Chemistry General Chemistry II (p. 37), Colin Abernethy Chemistry Watersheds (p. 55), Bernice Rosenzweig Environmental Science Feeling Medieval: Passion, Body, and Soul in the Middle Ages (p. 102), Joseph Romano Literature Calculus I: The Study of Motion and Change (p. 105), Daniel King Mathematics An Introduction to Statistical Methods and Analysis (p. 105), Daniel…