PHY 3230 Thermal Physics Syllabus
	
INSTRUCTOR
          
Thomas L. Rokoske 
Office: CAP 253, tel: 828-262-7499 
Email: rokosketl@appstate.edu 
Office Hours: MWF 9,10; if the above hours conflict then by appointment.

COURSE OBJECTIVES 
     
     To found students in the fundamentals of Thermal Phenomena at both the 
introductory and advanced undergraduate physics levels. The introductory level
(Ch.1) includes both microscopic and macroscopic phenomena Heat and work, heat 
capacities, the total energy (enthalpy) developed from the First Law of 
Thermodynamics and the processes of heating through conduction, convection and 
radiation. Also included are the transport topics of conductivity, diffusion 
and viscosity. An elementary classical statistical treatment of the kinetic 
theory of gases which attempts to connect molecular motion and temperature and 
an introduction of entropy and its statistical interpretation. There is also an
introduction to real gases to indicate the limitation to the Ideal Gas Laws. 

     The course then switches to an advanced treatment of thermal phenomena 
in equilibrium (Zeorth Law). In (Ch. 2) one studies the basic interactions of 
two state systems which gives rise to the Second Law of Thermodynamics from pure
probability and large number of particles. It also explains paramagnetism using
the early Einstein Model of Solids and also the Ideal Gas. This statistical 
treatment is also used to show how interactions of exchanging energy and other 
quantities brings about, in the limit of large number of particles, gives rise 
to the concept of entropy (Third Law.) Entropy is developed in terms of 
temperature and pressure and consequently real gas behavior along with their 
thermal and magnetic properties. These concepts are extended to equilibrium 
diffusion which is used to define the Chemical Potential. 

     The macroscopic phenomena being Thermodynamics (Chapters 4-5) and the 
microscopic phenomena being Statistical Mechanics (Chapters 6-8). The 
thermodynamic section is concerned with engines and refrigerators, or in general
, concepts being able to obtain useful work from a thermal device. In addition 
free energy is studied from the viewpoint of useful work having applications to
fuel cells, electrolysis and phase changes.

     The statistical Mechanics part is divided into classical and quantum 
dynamics. These models while more complicated allow one to determine the 
foundations of thermodynamics through using the Boltzmann Factor which allows 
one to explain the Equipartition Theorem, and the Maxwell Speed Distribution 
found in the Ideal Gas. By applying the Gibbs Factor and the conditions of 
angular momentum one can study the quantum aspects of gases which give rise to
the Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics. These ideas give rise to 
explanations of Black Body Radiation, the theory of metals and gas degeneracies
 such as black holes and the Bose-Einstein Condensation.           

COURSE CREDIT

     Three Hour Exams    36%       Final Exam                   25%
     Homework            30%       Quizzes, Derivations, etc.    9%

LECTURE
  
     There will be two lectures a week taken primarily from the text:
Shroeder - Thermal Physics and class notes. There will be three hour examinations
based on the above material at times specified on the tentative schedule. Exams
will be composed of problems or discussion questions depending on the amount and
type of material covered. The Final Exam will be a comprehensive examination.

     Homework and other written work must be turned in when due otherwise 
substantial late penalties will be assessed. Times when class assignments are 
due will typically be one week after they are assigned. Those times will be 
given during the class and will be posted at the department of Physics and 
Astronomy's Home Page. www.phys.appstate.edu/courses.html

     Other items relevant to the course will be posted at that site, such as 
sample exams and copies of the course schedule and syllabus. You may download 
additional copies of the course material from the web site. 


ATTENDANCE

     Roll will be taken from time to time. Attendance records may be used 
to determine the final grade when the student's performance is between two 
letter designations. See the current ASU Bulletin for further information.


COURSE NEEDS

     Every student is expected to have a copy of the two texts. There are copies 
of Schaum's Outline Series on Thermodynamics for Engineers by Potter and Somerton
available at the ASU Bookstore. The book is recommended but is not required.