Code: 02VPSFA Selected Topics in Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics
Lecturer: prof. Ing. Igor Jex DrSc. Weekly load: 4P+2C Completion: A, EX
Department: 14102 Credits: 7 Semester: W
Description:
The course concentrates on some advanced topics of statistical mechanics not discussed in the basic course on thermodynamics and statistical physics. Question concerning density matrices, the behaviours of nonideal gases and its macroscopic description, microscopic description of phase transitions, the role of fluctuations are addressed in detail.
Contents:
1. Elements of thermodynamics
2. Bacis of statistical physics
3. The density matrix
4. Nonideal gases
5. Fermi gas
6. Fluctuations
7. Microscopic models and phase transitions
8. Ising model
9. Elements of kinetic theory
10. Transport phenomena
Seminar contents:
Problem solving on the following topics
1. Elements of thermodynamics
2. Bacis of statistical physics
3. The density matrix
4. Nonideal gases I
5. Nonideal gases II
6. Fermi gas I
7. Fermi gas II
8. Fluctuations
9. Microscopic models and phase transitions
10. Ising model
11. Elements of kinetic theory
12. Transport phenomena
Recommended literature:
Key references:
[1] L. E. Reichl, A Modern Course in Statistical Physics, Wiley VCH, 2016
[2] R. Balian, From Microphysics to Macrophysics, Springer, New York, 1991

Recommended references:
[3] W. Thirring, Quantum Mathematical Physics: Atoms, Molecules and Large Systems, Springer Verlag, 2010
[4] L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, Statistical Physics (Course of Theoretical Physics, Volume 5), Butterworth- Heinemann, 1980
Keywords:
statistical entropy, statistical ensembles, transport equation.

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