Physics 335 - Thermal Physics

Institution:

Hiram College

Subject:

Description:

Thermal or statistical physics provides the link between the microscopic world of atoms and molecules and the macroscopic world of everyday objects. This subject tackles such foundational issues as 1) the origin of irreversible processes from the time symmetric fundamental laws of physics and 2) the emergence of simple thermodynamic behavior in systems comprised of a large number of particles governed by an underlying chaotic dynamics. We will address these issues by examining the microscopic origins of the laws of thermodynamics. This course will cover the fundamentals of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and elementary transport theory. Since computer simulations play an important role in contemporary statistical mechanics research, we will also study the Monte Carlo method and students will carry out a computational project to investigate a magnetic, liquid, polymer, or other many-body system. Prerequisite: Physics 320. Taught spring 12 week, alternate years.

Credits:

4.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

WWW.HIRAM.EDU

Phone Number:

(330) 569-3211

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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