B.Tech Physics

 

PH 301                           Statistical Mechanics                             3-1-0-8

 

Syllabus: Probability concept: one dimensional random walk problem and any other relevant examples; Different probability distributions: binomial, Gaussian and Poisson distributions and their region of validity. Concepts of ensemble and microstates (quantum and classical): phase space, phase cell; Counting of microstates for some examples (using both quantum and classical concepts); Postulate of equal a priori probability; Liouville’s theorem; Ergodic hypothesis; Boltzmann H-theorem. Different types of interactions: thermal interaction, mechanical interaction, diffusion. Ensembles: microcanonical ensemble; Canonical ensemble; Grand canonical ensemble. Equipartition and virial theorems. Gibbs paradox. Quantum Statistics: quantum mechanical ensemble theory for all ensembles, Wave function for quantum many body system (Bosons and Fermions). Quantum gases: ideal Bose gas, Bose-Einstein condensation, black body radiation, phonons; Ideal Fermi gas, Pauli paramagnetism, thermionic emissions, white dwarf. Critical Phenomena: Van der Waals equations of state and phase transition, critical exponents, Landau model, one dimensional Ising model and it’s solution by transfer matrix method.

Texts:

  1. Reif, Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics, Sarat Book Distributors, 2010.
  2. K. Pathria, Statistical mechanics, 3rd Edition, Elsevier, 2011.
  3. Goldenfeld, Lectures on Phase Transitions and the Renormalization Group, Sarat Book House, 2005.

References:

  1. Haung, Statistical Mechanics, John Wiley, Asia, 2000.
  2. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz, Statistical Physics I, Pergamon, 1980.
  3. Toda, R. K. Kubo and N. Saito, Statistical Physics I, 2nd Edition, Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co., 1998.
  4. E. Stanley, Introduction to Phase Transitions and Critical Phenomena, Oxford University Press, 1987.
  5. Greiner, L. Neise, and H. Stocker, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, Springer-Verlag New York, 1995.