Spring 2021 - PHYS 445 D100

Statistical Physics (3)

Class Number: 1704

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2021
    Sat, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    PHYS 344 or CHEM 360, with a minimum grade of C-. Recommended: PHYS 385.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Postulates of statistical mechanics, partition functions, applications to gases, paramagnetism and equilibrium. Quantum statistics and applications. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

  1. Introduction to Statistical Mechanics: probability, random walks and entropy
  2. Ensembles: microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles, examples and connections to thermodynamics
  3. Liouville's Theorem and Ergodicity
  4. Kinetic Theory of gases
  5. Quantum Statistical Mechanics: fermions and boson
  6. Fermions: Fermi energy, Metals, White Dwarf Star
  7. Bosons: photons, blackbody radiation, Bose Einstein Condensation and Superfluidity, phonons and Debye model
  8. Ordering and phase transitions: Ising model, mean field theory, Landau theory
  9.  
Course Delivery:
Remote (Synchronous)

Grading

  • Problem Assignments 60%
  • Midterm 10%
  • Final exam 30%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Required: Essential Statistical Physics, Kennett, M.P., Cambridge University Press.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Students who cannot write their exam during the course's scheduled exam time must request accommodation from their instructor in writing, clearly stating the reason for this request, before the end of the first week of classes.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).