Calendar

LEC # TOPICS KEY DATES
1 Review of thermodynamics
2 E, A, and S: macroscopic properties for microscopic probabilities {Pi}
3 Canonical partition function: replace {Pi} by Q
4 Microcanonical ensemble: replace {Pi} by Ω, Q vs. Ω
5 Molecular partition function: replace E (assembly) by ε (molecule) Problem set 1 due
6 Q corrected for molecular indistinguishability
7 Translational part of Boltzmann partition function
8 Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein statistics Problem set 2 due
9 Calculation of macroscopic properties from microscopic energy levels: qtrans
10

Quantum vs. classical qtrans

Equipartition

Internal degrees of freedom
11 Internal degrees of freedom for atoms and diatomic molecules Problem set 3 due
12

Rotational partition function

Equipartition
First hour exam
13 Nuclear spin statistics: symmetry number, σ Low temperature limit for rotational partition function
14 Low and high-T limits for qrot and qvib
15 Polyatomic molecules: rotation and vibration
16 Chemical equilibrium I
17 Chemical equilibrium II Problem set 4 due
18 Model intermolecular potentials
19 Configurational integral: cluster expansion
20 Virial equation of state Problem set 5 due
21 Thermodynamics of solid: Einstein and Debye models
Second hour exam
22 Einstein and Debye solids
23 Phonons: 1-D linear chain of atoms
24 Free electron theory of a metal
25 Heat capacity in metals
26 Band theory of solids Problem set 6 due
27 Crystal phase equilibria
28 Kinetic theory of gases: Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution
29 Kinetic theory of gases: effusion and collisions
30 Kinetic theory of gases: collision dynamics and scattering Problem set 7 due
31 Kinetic theory of gases: mean free path and transport
Third hour exam
32 Kinetic theory of gases: transport coefficients
33 Transition state theory I Problem set 8 due
34

Transition state theory II

Kinetic isotope effect
35 Statistical mechanics for photons
36 Rates of unimolecular reactions: RRKM
Final exam