Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - PHYS 445 D100

Statistical Physics (3)

Class Number: 1539

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2023
    Mon, 3:30–6:30 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

Grading

  • Problem Assignments 30%
  • Midterm 1 10%
  • Midterm 2 10%
  • Final Exam 50%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

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

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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, within one week of the final exam schedule being posted.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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