Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics
Overview
The aim of this unit is to provide students with a solid understanding of the fundamental laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory and statistical physics.
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Describe the laws of thermodynamics from both a macroscopic and microscopic point of view
- Apply the laws of thermodynamics to real physical systems and processes
- Describe the properties of ideal gases using Boltzmann statistics
- Describe the differences between systems of bosons and fermions and how these arise from microscopic consideration
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
---|---|---|---|
On-campus Lecture |
2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
On-campus Class |
2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
On-campus Lab |
2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
5.50 | 12 weeks | 66 |
Online Learning Activities |
1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
---|---|---|---|
Assignment | Individual | 10 - 30% | 1,2,3,4 |
Examination | Individual | 40 - 60% | 1,2,3,4 |
Laboratory Tutorial Quizzes | Individual | 10 - 30% | 1,2,3,4 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) at least 40% in the final exam, and(iii) Obtain at least 40% of the possible marks for the laboratory. Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) and (iii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
- Energy in Thermal Physics
- Second Law of Thermodynamics
- Interacting systems
- Free Energy, Work and Chemical Thermodynamics
- Boltzmann statistics
- Bose and Fermi systems
- Interacting quantum systems
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.