Module description
This module aims to:
a) build on the introductory thermodynamics course, introducing such ideas as phase changes and chemical potential.
b) introduce phenomena that occur at low temperatures, and to explain these from both a macroscopic and a microscopic point of view.
c) introduce the concept of statistical mechanics, and use these in particular to investigate the properties of matter.

Learning outcomes
After taking this module students should be able to:

• understand such ideas as phase changes and chemical potential.
• understand low temperature phenomena from a macroscopic and microscopic point of view.
• understand the basic concepts of statistical mechanics and their application to investigate the properties of matter.

Outline syllabus

Reminder: Thermodynamic potentials, Maxwell relations, thermodynamic variables

First order phase changes: Gibbs function and Clausius-Clapeyron equation

Second and higher order phase changes
Ehrenfests classification, examples of different order

Adiabatic demagnetisation: attainment of very low temperatures
Chemical Potential and its applications to open systems

Third Law of thermodynamics: entropy near absolute zero
Negative temperatures and population inversion
Superconductivity

Superfluidity: properties of liquid helium

Statistical Mechanics
Assembly of distinguishable particles: Boltzmann distribution, Partition function, link to thermodynamic quantities, examples
Assembly of indistinguishable particles (gases): Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, examples