Statistical Mechanics

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Classical statistical mechanics, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, and equipartition theorem; quantum statistical mechanics, Bose-Einstein distribution and Fermi-Dirac distribution; applications such as polyatomic gases, blackbody radiation, free electron model for metals, Debye model of vibrations in solids, ideal quantum mechanical gases and Bose-Einstein condensation; if time permits, phase transitions and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS 408 and PHYS 412 or equivalents; PHYS 615 .