Course description: This course treats statistical mechanics, which is the basis of any materials science. Statistical mechanics applies probability theory to study macroscopic thermodynamic behavior of systems from the viewpoint of microscopic individual atoms, molecules as their components. Since a polymer chain itself is a kind of molecular assembly, it is indispensable to have such a viewpoint to understand its properties. This course aims at the acquisition of fundamental knowledge of polymer physics with learning the basics of statistical mechanics.
Course aims: Through this course students can learn the basic of statistical mechanics, which is the basis of any materials science. Furthermore, they will understand how the acquired knowledge is utilized in polymer physics.
Students learn the following abilities by this lecture.
1) They learn basic concepts of statistical mechanics such as microcanonical, canonical and grandcanonical ensembles, partition function.
2) Through exercise problems in each class, they learn such concepts with more practical problems.
3) They learn basic knowledge of statistical mechanical treatments of polymers.
microcanonical ensemble, canonical ensemble, grandcanonical ensemble, partition function, entropy, free energy, rubber elasticity, polymer mixture system, non-equilibrium statistical mechanics
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
The detailed contents of the classes will be shown using blackboards and slides on a projector. Towards the end of class, students are given exercise problems related to the lecture given that day to solve.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Mathematical preparation (basic of probability theory) | Mathematical preparation such as probability theory will be reviewed as an introduction to statistical mechanics. |
Class 2 | Microcanonical ensemble and entropy | The method of microcanonical ensemble will be reviewed together with the concept of entropy. |
Class 3 | Canonical ensemble and free energy | The method of canonical ensemble will be reviewed together with the understanding of partition function, free energy and so on. |
Class 4 | Grandcanonical ensemble | The method of grandcanonical ensemble will be reviewed to understand its relationship to thermodynamics quantities. |
Class 5 | Application to polymeric systems I | Statistical mechanics on a single polymer chain, rubber elasticity will be reviewed. |
Class 6 | Application to polymeric systems II | Statistical mechanical treatment on polymer mixture system will be reviewed. |
Class 7 | Invitation to non-equilibriom statistical mechanics I | Non-equilibrium statistical mechanics will be reviewed in a very simple manner. |
Class 8 | Invitation to non-equilibriom statistical mechanics II | The glimpse of non-equiribrium statistical mechanics will be made using diffusion phenomena as an example. |
Atkins' Physical Chemistry, Oxford University Press; 10th Revised (2014)
To be announced
By final exams. Exercise problems can be the source of evaluation if necessary.
There is no requirement to take this course, while students who have learned thermodynamics are welcome.
knakaji[at]polymer.titech.ac.jp
Contact by e-mail in advance to make an appointment