PHYS 310 | Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics

Newtonian mechanics and methods of probability are combined and used to gain new insights regarding the behavior of systems containing large numbers of particles. The concept of entropy is given new meaning and beauty. Certain properties of metals and gases are derived from first principles. The analysis of spectra leads to the initial development of the quantum theory and the statistics obeyed by fundamental particles. This course assumes a knowledge of calculus.