- Docente: Loris Ferrari
- Credits: 6
- SSD: FIS/03
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Atmospheric physics and Meteorology (cod. 8008)
Learning outcomes
Knowledge of the basis of equilibrium statistical thermodynamics of degenerate and non degenerate gases. Learning of mathematical methods for the studying of concrete problems of thermodynamics.
Course contents
From the empirical formulation of the thermodynamics (the Three Principles) to the statistical thermodynamics. Heat exchanges and equilibrium time scales. The ergodic hypothesis. Boltzmann statistical method for distinguishable canonical systems. Derivation of Boltzmann principle and the notion of absolute temperature. Gas of harmonic oscillators. The continuum limit and the thermodynamic limit. Indistinguishability and non degenerate gases. Perfect gases and Gibbs paradox. Gas in an external field: the barometric formula and Archimede principle. Atomic gases and Saha formula. Molecular gases and thermal equilibrium of chemical reactions: tha mass action law.
Readings/Bibliography
Teacher’s notes
Toda-Kubo-Saito: "Statistical Physics" vol. I - Springer-Verlag
Assessment methods
Written and oral examination.
Office hours
See the website of Loris Ferrari