PH5006: Statistical Mechanics

L-T-P-C: 3-0-0-3

Prerequisites: None

Syllabus

Module 1: Foundations of statistical mechanics

( Lecture hours: 7 , Tutorial hours: 2 , Lab hours: 0 )

Relation of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, Gibbs' paradox, Phase space, Liouville's theorem .

Module 2: Ensemble theory

( Lecture hours: 13 , Tutorial hours: 4 , Lab hours: 0 )

Microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles and partition function, Calculation of physical properties (e.g. heat capacity, entropy), Review and derivation of thermodynamic relations from ensemble theory, Variance and stability .

Module 3: Quantum statistics

( Lecture hours: 15 , Tutorial hours: 4 , Lab hours: 0 )

Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics for ideal gases, Quantum statistical mechanics: Fermi-Dirac statistics, Bose-Einstein statistics, Thermodynamics of ideal Fermi gas, Magnetism of ideal Fermi gas: Pauli paramagnetism, Landau diamagnetism, Thermodynamics of ideal Bose gas, Bose-Einstein condensation, superfluidity .

Module 4: Phase transitions

( Lecture hours: 7 , Tutorial hours: 4 , Lab hours: 0 )

Brief introduction to phase transitions, critical phenomena, Landau theory of phase transitions, Phase transition in the Ising model .

Study Materials

Textbooks

  1. Statistical Mechanics, R. K. Pathria and Paul D. Beale, Academic Press (Elsevier), 3rd Edition, ISBN: 978-0123821881
  2. Statistical Physics, F. Reif, Berkeley Physics Course (Volume 5), McGraw Hill Education (India) Pvt Ltd, ISBN: 978-0-07-070219-6
  3. Statistical Physics of Particles, M. Kardar, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 978-1108448239

References

  1. Statistical Mechanics, K. Huang, Wiley, 2nd Edition, ISBN: 978-8126518494
  2. Statistical Mechanics, S. K. Ma, World Scientific, ISBN: 978-9971966072