PHYS 341 - Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics Credits: 4

Covers the traditional approach to thermodynamics as well as a more fundamental introduction to the subject using statistical mechanics. Topics include: ideal gases, equation of state; 1st Law, various thermo processes calculation of work; 2nd Law Cycles, engines and refrigerators. Reversible and irreversible processes; thermodynamic potentials; kinetic theory; statistical thermo: micro and macro states, entropy, quantum description of the ideal gas; heat capacities, paramagnetism; Boltzmann statistics; quantum statistics. Three hours lecture/week, two hours lab/biweekly.

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 221 and PHYS 222 and PHYS 301 (may be taken concurrently)