8.333: Statistical Mechanics of Particles
Fall 2021
NB. This outline is subject to change as term progresses.
Tentative outline
- Thermodynamics- Thermal equilibrium, the laws of thermodynamics;
temperature, energy, entropy, and other functions of state. (4 Lec.)
- Probability theory- Probability densities, cumulants and correlations;
central limit theorem; laws of large numbers. (2.5 Lec.)
- Kinetic theory- Phase space densities; Liouville's theorem, BBGKY
hierarchy, the Boltzmann equation; transport phenomena. (4.5 Lec.)
- Classical Statistical Mechanics- Postulates; microcanonical, canonical
and grand canonical ensembles; non-interacting examples. (3 Lec.)
- Interacting systems- Virial and cluster expansions; van der Waals
theory; liquid-vapor condensation. (4 Lec.)
- Quantum Statistical Mechanics- Quantization effects in molecular
gases; phonons, photons; density matrix formulation. (3 Lec.)
- Identical particles- Degenerate quantum gases; Fermi liquids; Bose
condensation; superfluidity. (5 Lec.)
8.333 Course Outline - last update 8/1/2021 by M. Kardar