Statistical Mechanics

Introductory Statistical Mechanics

This project will cover the basics of statistical mechanics, as typically taught in undergraduate physics courses.

< Cover & Interwiki

Table of Contents

1. The Foundations
   • Extensive and Intensive Parameters
   • Definitions
   • Fundamental Equations
   • The Postulates
2. The Two-State Problem This is actually a huge example problem to introduce the statistical definition of entropy
   • Multiplicity
   • Properties of the Two-State System
3. Boltzmann and Gibbs factors and Partition functions
   • Boltzmann Factors
   • The Partition Function
   • Gibbs Factors
   • The Grand Partition Function
4. Density of States
5. Thermal Radiation
6. Debye Theory
7. Ideal Gas
8. Quantum Gases
9. Thermodynamic Potentials (Here on you can consider the border from Thermal Physics to thermodynamics.)
10. Phase Transformations

Further Reading and Resources

• SklogWiki - a wiki for people interested in thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and the computer simulation of materials.