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10239 Statistical Mechanics
Danish title: Statistisk mekanik

Type: Å, Language: EED
Credit points: 5 point
Previous course: C1251
Offered by: Department of Physics (FYS)
No credit points with: C1251
Prerequisite: Kernestof i matematik, fysik og kemi. 10100.01142.
Desirable: C9871/C9873 (eller tilsvarende)
Recommended semester: 4th -7th semester
Scope and form: Lectures and exercises
Examination: Written exam (13 point scale )
Contact person: Claus S. Jacobsen, FYS, Building 309, Tel. +45 4525 3340
Aim: The student should learn how to calculate equilibrium properties of macroscopic systems on the basis of models for the microscopic behaviour using the methods of statistical mechanics.
Contents: Criteria for equilibrium in thermodynamics. Quantum states. Microstates and macrostates. The Boltzmann distribution with examples. Gasses: Dilute gasses and the Maxwell-Boltzmann case, internal degrees of freedom, Fermi-Dirac gasses, Bose-Einstein gasses, The Planck distribution. Importance of system size and dimensionality. Entropy and disorder. The ensembles. Closed and open systems, chemical reactions. Classical statistical mechanics. Fluctuations and noise. Phase transitions and critical behaviour. Systems far from equilibrium.