PH215: Thermal Physics (2019-20)

PH215: Thermal Physics (2019-20)

Course Name: Thermal Physics

Course Code: PH215

Credits: 3

Course Instructor: Prof. Vikram Rentala

Course Type: Core (Theory / Half Sem)

Prerequisite: No formal prerequisites. The course is developed from very basic. Informally, at a point of time in course Legendre transformations(a concept which will be introduced in Classical Mechanics) will be used and developed. And since Thermal Physics is a half semester course and it is held in second half of the semester(in our time) so we were already introduced to Legendre Transformations in Classical Mechanics.

Course Content: Definition and motivation for Thermodynamic Variables like Temperature, Entropy, etc.
Postulates of Thermodynamics Conditions of Equilibrium: Thermal, Mechanical and Chemical Euler Equation Gibbs-Duhem Relation Reversible Processes and the Maximal Work Theorem Legendre Transformations and Thermodynamic Potentials

First Order Phase Transitions

Useful Books: Herbert B. Callen: Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics (Second Edition)

(The whole course was based on from Ch1 to Ch 9 of the book excluding Ch7) (I suggest the enthusiastic students to manage to read Ch7 by themselves on Maxwell Relations; these will be very useful when you do some advance stuffs)

Lectures: Lecture was held in LTs, and was on blackboard. The basic concepts were thoroughly discussed in the class and we also had engaging discussion with professor during lectures; and professor willingly answered during and after the class. One might find most of the material covered during the lecture in books; but still there is something else you get when you attend these lectures. And after attending lecture you will also find that its very easy for you to read the book, and you can complete the book as you do with story books.

Assignments: Assignments were given, and it was entirely from the book Herbert B. Callen. It was not graded.

Exams: 1 quiz of 30% weightage.

Endsem of 70 % weightage.

Advanced Follow-up Courses: Statistical Physics PH304

Advanced Statistical Mechanics PH543

Pro-tips: Do attend the lectures and read the book.

Exams are easy, make sure you don't mess up, since its a half semester course; you may not get grade of your choice by just writing Endsem. Don't digress yourself to other topics in thermodynamics until you cover the relevant topics of the course. The material of the course is very basic and fundamental which you might miss while reading advanced texts.

Personal Comments: The content of the course is very basic and fundamental which people miss many a times. It is very essential to physics.One must keep in mind that in the course, axiomatic approach is followed. Accepting the axioms and solving the problems will be sufficient of exams; but to understand it deeply one must view it from other side. Try to read about intuitive approaches towards laws of thermodynamics. One may feel that intuitive approach is not that rigorous, and it may also seem handwavy; but this is what I feel is very integral part of research in physics. When you first have an idea of your own; its not that rigorous at first sight. As a Physicist you recast your idea properly through mathematical machinery. And once mathematics is developed; them it becomes assessable to everyone. Sharp intuition is very important for physics and make sure you don't miss it.

Respondent: Shoaib Akhtar