Thermal and Statistical Physics

All physical systems that are more than a few nanometres in size – and not at absolute zero temperature – are composed of many particles in constant random motion; their macroscopic behaviours emerge as statistical averages. In this course we learn the universal statistical and thermodynamic principles that describe these systems, covering phenomena as diverse as the greenhouse effect, heat flow, the nature of molecular interactions and the relic radiation from the Big Bang. The course begins with classical thermodynamics to introduce the fundamental concepts of temperature, energy, and heat. It then moves to statistical mechanics in which the laws of statistics are used to predict the behaviour of ensembles of particles through the concept of entropy and probability. These concepts are then used within thermodynamics to explore free energies, and understand heat engines, refrigerators and phase transformations and fuel cells. The course then returns to statistical physics to where Boltzmann and Gibbs factors and partition functions are applied to both classical and quantum systems, including blackbody radiation and Fermi gases. HPO is available for this course and will be worth 15% of the overall mark. Students can opt in to the HPO via the course Learning Management system by Friday week 2. Students who do not submit HPO assessment or score lower in the HPO assessment, are considered to have opted out. See "other information section" for details.