Details of CH4218 (Spring 2023)

Level: 4 Type: Theory Credits: 4.0

Course CodeCourse NameInstructor(s)
CH4218 Statistical Thermodynamics Susmita Roy

Preamble
This course is designed based on fundamental concepts of statistical thermodynamics
considering simple real-world problems. In connection to simple molecular models of systems like solids,
liquids and gases, the students would learn how to quantify and analyze their thermodynamic properties
that are usually measured in experiments.

Syllabus
Review of Classical Thermodynamics and Deep Understanding of Thermodynamic Response
Functions
Classical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanical Approaches, Towards a Probabilistic Description.
Basic Concepts of Probability and Statistics, Conditional Probability and Correlation, Central
Limit Theorem, Mathematical prerequisites
Fundamental Concepts and Postulates of Statistical Mechanics
Understanding Microstates of a System, Statistical Mechanical Ensembles and Distribution
Functions
Microcanonical Ensemble and Thermodynamic Connection
Canonical Ensemble and Thermodynamic Connection
Grand Canonical, Other Ensembles; Fluctuation Theory and Thermodynamic Responses,
Thermodynamic Equivalence of Ensembles
Boltzmann Statistics and Quantum Statistics: Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein
Statistical Mechanics of Non-interacting Systems (Ideal gas: Monoatomic and di-atomic);
Translational, Rotational, Vibrational Partition Functions in connection with spectroscopy
studies
Chemical Reaction Equilibrium (Measurement of equilibrium constant in terms of partition function
Specific Heat of Solids (The Einstein Theory and the Debye Theory of the Heat Capacity of Crystals)
Introduction to Classical Statistical Mechanics, Equipartition Principle
Rate Theories of Simple Chemical Reactions

References
References
1) An Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics, Terrell L. Hill
2) Statistical Mechanics for Chemistry and Materials Science, Biman Bagchi.
3) Statistical Mechanics, D. A. McQuarrie, University Science Books, California, USA.
4) Statistical Mechanics, R. K. Pathria and Paul D. Beale, Butterworth-Heinemenn, 3rd Edition.
5) An Introduction to Thermal Physics, Daniel V. Schroeder.

Course Credit Options

Sl. No.ProgrammeSemester NoCourse Choice
1 IP 2 Not Allowed
2 IP 4 Elective
3 IP 6 Not Allowed
4 MP 2 Core
5 MP 4 Not Allowed
6 MR 2 Not Allowed
7 MR 4 Not Allowed
8 MS 10 Not Allowed
9 MS 4 Not Allowed
10 MS 6 Not Allowed
11 MS 8 Elective
12 RS 1 Elective
13 RS 2 Elective