| PHYS 3700 Spring 2015 |
Thermal Physics |
| Instructor: |
Charles
Torre, SER 232, 797-3426, Charles.Torre@usu.edu |
| Lectures: |
T-Th,
9:00-10:15 a.m., ENGR 238 |
| Text: |
An Introduction to Thermal Physics,
by D. Schroeder, Errata
are here. |
| Office Hours: |
T-W 12-1, or by appointment |
| Learning
Objectives: |
• Knowledge:
Laws of thermodynamics, heat and work, important
observables such as entropy and free energies, key
statistical ideas underpinning the laws of
thermodynamics, structure of key physical systems (ideal
gas, Einstein solid, paramagnet, etc.). • Skills: Applying the laws of thermodynamics in a variety of contexts, analysis and modeling of physical systems, problem solving, applied mathematics, scientific exposition. • Thinking: Critical and scientific thinking. Understanding complex systems using fundamental, "big picture" ideas. |
| Assessment: |
Homework (40%). 3 exams
(60%). Final
Exam: 4/28 at
9:30 a.m. |
| Additional
information |
• This semester we will survey
the foundations of the subject, basic techniques for its
application to the real world, and a number of standard
examples. We will cover material appearing in
Chapters 1–7, though we won't have time to go through all
the material in these chapters. • Our book is pretty readable as textbooks go, so I'm afraid you're going to have to read it. My lectures will usually not just be a version of the text. Rather, the text should be your principal reference which, along with my lectures and lecture notes, allows you to solve the various problems you are assigned. If you want to learn the material thoroughly you should work through the text and the notes, filling in intermediate steps. That might help. • I will make available typed notes which summarize - but may not always exhaust - the content of the lectures. They will be posted in PDF format on the Physics 3700 web site and can be viewed with any PDF viewer, e.g., your web browser, Acrobat Reader, etc. • My philosophy is that while lectures and reading are necessary for learning a subject, they are far from sufficient. There is no substitute for wrestling with the material yourself by working problems. There will be a number of problem sets. Your primary goal in this course is to solve these problems using material given in the lectures and in the text, additional references, collaboration with your colleagues, etc. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of problem solving experience to the learning of thermal physics (or any other subject in physics, for that matter). Your grade will largely be determined by how well you do in this homework. |
"Students with
ADA-documented physical, sensory, emotional or medical
impairments may be eligible for reasonable accommodations.
Veterans may also be eligible for services. All accommodations
are coordinated through the Disability Resource Center (DRC)
in Room 101 of the University Inn, (435)797-2444 voice,
(435)797-0740 TTY, (435)797-2444 VP, or toll free at
1-800-259-2966. Please contact the DRC as early in the
semester as possible. Alternate format materials (Braille,
large print or digital) are available with advance notice."