Learning Outcomes
After taking this module students should be able to:
- describe such ideas as phase changes.
- describe low temperature phenomena from a macroscopic and microscopic point of view.
- explain the basic concepts of statistical mechanics and their application to investigate the properties of matter.
Brief description
This module aims to:
a) build on the introductory thermodynamics course, introducing such ideas as phase changes.
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 concepts of statistical mechanics, and use these to investigate the properties of matter.
Content
THERMODYNAMICS
Thermodynamic potential - internal energy U, enthalpy H, Helmholtz function F and Gibbs function G and their physical significance.
The Maxwell relations.
Derivation of general thermodynamic relations for pure substances.
Phase transitions - first order and higher order transitions.
The attainment of absolute zero temperature.
- Liquefaction of gases (Joule-Kelvin effect)
- Adiabatic paramagnetic and nuclear demagnetisation
- the Third Law of Thermodynamics - the unattainability of absolute zero
Liquid helium and superfluidity
Superconductivity. Conventional superconductors and the BCS theory. Survey high Tc superconductors.
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