Instructor: Harvey Gould, Physics 214, email.

Prerequisites: introductory physics and calculus.

Lecture/Discussion: Tuesday, Thursday, 9:00 am - 10:15 am. Problem session, TBA.

Textbook: There is no required textbook, but handouts will be given to students on a regular basis. Please use a three-ring binder to keep your copy of the handouts and your homework.

It is a good idea to have a textbook to read another point of view. See the list of undergraduate texts for possibilities. It also is a good idea to be aware of some of the graduate texts. We will make much use of simulations.

Description of Course
Topics that will be covered include the following.

1. Introduction, nature of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, importance of entropy, need for probability, model systems, Chapter 1.
2. Introduction to thermodynamics. Heat and work, Carnot cycles. Chapter 2 and an introductory level physics text if desired.
3. Review of probability, Chapter 3.
4. Statistical hypothesis: equilibrium, entropy, temperature, macroscopic variables, closed systems, laws of thermodynamics, Chapter 4.
5. Systems at constant temperature: Boltzmann distribution and Helmholtz free energy, Chapter 4.
6. Magnetic Systems, Chapter 5.
7. Ideal gases: black body radiation, classical and quantum gases, Chapter 6.
8. If time permits, more on thermodynamic relations and processes from Chapter 2 and more on the chemical potential and phase transitions, Chapter 7.

1. Two hourly in-class examinations.
2. Final examination (three hours).
3. Weekly problem sets. There will be a weekly two hour problem session in which students will work on the assigned problems with guidance from the instructor. Late problem sets will be accepted only if you receive permission from the instructor prior to the due date of the assignment. Homework should be legible and written or typed on one side of the page only. Homework is graded for effort only.
4. Class participation and individual initiative. Class attendance is required. There will be a quiz at the beginning of each class on the required reading.
5. A weekly (email) summary of your progress, conceptual difficulties, and class discussions and handouts. (This assignment will likely be replaced by a student Wiki.
6. An four to five page paper on some application or special topic in thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, or statistical physics due by the last day of finals.
7. Students are expected to spend 7-9 hours per week on the course outside of class time.

Acknowledgments
You are encouraged to collaborate and to seek help from other students, but the final write-up of your homework should be your own. If you do obtain help, you should acknowledge it. Such an acknowledgment will not lower your grade, but the lack of an acknowledgment will.