STATISTICAL THERMODYNAMICS
Academic year2016/17
CourseCHEMISTRY
Code215CC
Credits6
PeriodSemester 1 & 2
LanguageItalian
| Modules | Area | Type | Hours | Teacher(s) |
| TERMODINAMICA STATISTICA | CHIM/02 | LEZIONI | 48 | |
Programma non disponibile nella lingua selezionata
Knowledge
Students should be able:
to master the basic concepts of the statistical description of thermodynamic systems
to deal with simple models, adopting the most convenient ensemble to solve the problem at hand, and realizing if classical Boltzmann statistics can be applied or if Fermi or Bose statistics are required;
to apply statistical treatment to reactions in gas phase, obtaining equilibrium constants from molecular parameters or viceversa;
to get used to the formalism and physical meaning of time correlation functions in the framework of linear response theory.
Assessment criteria of knowledge
The written exam typically consists of three problems (3 hours) that the student is requested to solve to demonstrate her/his knowledge of the course material. Very similar tests are periodically proposed along the course.
The final oral exam might start from unsolved problems of the written exam, or verify the knowledge of the main topics of the course, as listed above.
Methods:
- Final oral exam
- Final written exam
- Periodic written tests
Teaching methods
Delivery: face to face
Learning activities:
- attending lectures
- individual study
- group work
Attendance: Advised
Teaching methods:
- Lectures
- Task-based learning/problem-based learning/inquiry-based learning
Syllabus
Phase space, distribution functions and statistical averages. Liouville theorem. Ensembles. Equivalence of ensembles in the thermodynamic limit. Fluctuations. Systems of quasi independent parts. Ideal gas of monoatomic, diatomic and polyatomic molecules. Chemical reactions in gaseous mixtures. Equilibrium constant and partition functions. Perfect lattice: specific heat, Einstein and Debye models. Quantum statistics. Bosons and fermions. Occupation numbers. Helium 4 and electrons in metals. Ortho and para hydrogen. Introduction to simulation methods (Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics). System weakly out of equilibrium. Onsager regression hypothesis. Time correlation functions, relaxation times. Definition, properties, examples. Linear response theory. Fluctuation-dissipation theorem.
Bibliography
The following texts provide most of the material for the lectures. Obviously, there is a huge number of other valuable texts that advanced students might wish to consider.
1) D. Chandler, 'Introduction to Modern Statistical Mechanics', Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford, 1987.
2) B. Widom, 'Statistical Mechanics: A Concise Introduction for Chemists', Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 2002.
3) T.L. Hill, 'Introduzione alla Termodinamica Statistica', Piccin, Padova, 1970.
4) J.P. Sethna, 'Entropy, Order Parameters and Complexity', Clarendon, Oxford, 2011.
Updated: 14/11/2016 17:27
