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2019　Statistical Mechanics

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Academic unit or major
Undergraduate major in Physics
Instructor(s)
Takahashi Kazutaka  Adachi Satoshi  Watabiki Yoshiyuki 
Class Format
Lecture / Exercise     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Tue1-2(H114)  Tue5-6(H112,H116)  Fri1-2(H114)  Fri5-6(H112,H116)  
Group
-
Course number
PHY.S301
Credits
3
Academic year
2019
Offered quarter
1Q
Syllabus updated
2019/11/13
Lecture notes updated
2019/6/3
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

Elementary aspects of probability theory will first be explained as an introduction to statistical mechanics. Next introduced are the concepts of energy levels and the number of these levels, from which the microcanonical ensemble will be defined. The introduction of canonical ensemble and its applications are the most important part of this course. Properties of heat capacity of solids and black-body radiation are explained as typical applications of canonical ensemble.

Basic ideas of statistical mechanics, canonical ensemble in particular, will be explained.

Student learning outcomes

Students are expected to understand the basic concepts of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics including microcanonical and canonical ensemble. In particular it is important to be able to apply these concepts to realistic problems such as harmonic oscillator, ideal gas, heat capacity of solids, and black-body radiation.

Keywords

Elements of probability theory and quantum mechanics. Microcanonical and canonical ensemble. Partition function. Debye model. Black-body radiation.

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills Intercultural skills Communication skills Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Lectures and exercises will be conducted in the standard style.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Basic concepts and goals of statistical mechanics Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 2 Elementary probability theory Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 3 Quantum mechanics of free particles Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 4 Number of states and its asymptotic form of free particles Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 5 Derivation of the canonical ensemble Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 6 Elementary applications of canonical ensemble (1) Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 7 Midterm exam
Class 8 Elementary applications of canonical ensemble (2) Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 9 Canonical ensemble of clasical systems Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 10 Applications of classical canonical ensemble Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 11 Eigenmodes of lattice vibration Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 12 Einstein and Debye models of heat capacity of solids Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 13 Historical background of black-body radiation Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 14 Electromagnetic field and harmonic oscillator Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.
Class 15 Quantum theory of black-body radiation Read the relevant part of the textbook and distributions in advance, and solve the problems given in the exercise class.

Textbook(s)

Statistical Mechanics I (Hal Tasaki, Baifu-kan)

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Materials will be handed out in the class.

Assessment criteria and methods

Final exam as well as work submissions for the exercise class.

Related courses

  • PHY.S209 ： Thermodynamics (Physics)
  • PHY.Q207 ： Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
  • PHY.M204 ： Mathematical Methods in Physics I
  • PHY.M211 ： Mathematical Methods in Physics II

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

It is strongly recommended to have finished the course of thermodynamics.

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