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10239 Statistical Mechanics
Danish title: Statistisk mekanik
Language: English Credit points: 5
Type: Open University
Language: English

Previous course: C1251
No credit points with: C1251
Prerequisite: Kernestof i matematik, fysik og kemi. 10100.01142.
Recommended semester: 4th -7th semester
Scope and form: Lectures and exercises
Examination: Written exam (13-scale)
Contact person: Jesper Mygind, Building 309, Tel. +45 4525 3268, email myg@fysik.dtu.dk, http://www.fysik.dtu.dk/~myg

Department: Department of Physics
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.