Study level
BAC +3
ECTS
3 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
27h
Description
Statistical physics is one of the fundamental branches of modern physics, whose probabilistic approach establishes relationships between the microscopic and the macroscopic. It deals with the evolution of systems with very large numbers of particles (atoms, molecules, photons, etc.) and links macroscopic quantities such as pressure, temperature, etc. characterizing their state at thermodynamic equilibrium to quantities defining the microscopic state of their constituents. This introductory course in statistical physics will cover the microcanonical and canonical sets, and relate the partition function to thermodynamic quantities such as mean energy, pressure, temperature and entropy. These results will be illustrated on perfect gases and on a few simple quantum systems.
Objectives
Master the basic concepts and techniques of statistical physics.
Necessary prerequisites
Thermodynamics 1 and 2 (HAP201P and HAP301P), Calculus (HAS103H) and Mathematical tools (HAP303P and HAP402P).
Recommended prerequisites*: rudiments of quantum mechanics (notion of quantum state).
Knowledge control
100% CT
Syllabus
Microcanonical and canonical sets, partition function and link to thermodynamic quantities: average energy, pressure, temperature and entropy, perfect gases, 2-level system, simple quantum systems (spins).
Further information
CM: 13.5 h
TD: 13.5 h