Selected Topics in Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics

Course guarantor:

Lecturer:

Tutor:

Supervisor:

Department of Physics

Synopsis:

The course concentrates on some advanced topics of statistical mechanics not discussed in the basic course on thermodynamics and statistical physics. Question concerning density matrices, the behaviours of nonideal gases and its macroscopic description, microscopic description of phase transitions, the role of fluctuations are addressed in detail.

Requirements:

fundamentals of theoretical physics, thermodynamics and statistical physics 02TER, 02TEF1, 02TEF2, 02TSFA

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Elements of thermodynamics

2. Bacis of statistical physics

3. The density matrix

4. Nonideal gases I

5. Nonideal gases II

6. Fermi gas I

7. Fermi gas II

8. Fluctuations

9. Microscopic models and phase transitions

10. Ising model

11. Elements of kinetic theory

12. Transport phenomena

Syllabus of tutorials:

Problem solving on the following topics

1. Elements of thermodynamics

2. Bacis of statistical physics

3. The density matrix

4. Nonideal gases I

5. Nonideal gases II

6. Fermi gas I

7. Fermi gas II

8. Fluctuations

9. Microscopic models and phase transitions

10. Ising model

11. Elements of kinetic theory

12. Transport phenomena

Study Objective:

Knowledge:

Extend the knowledge of thermodynamics and statistical physics.

Skills:

Solve advanced problems of statistical physics and thermodynamics.

Study materials:

Key references:

[1] R. Balian, From microphysics to macrophysics, Springer, New York, 1991

Recommended references:

[1] J. Kvasnica, Thermodynamics, SNTL Praha, 1965 (in czech)

[2] J. Kvasnica, Statistical physics, Academia Praha, 2003 (in czech)

Note:

Further information:

No time-table has been prepared for this course

The course is a part of the following study plans: