Thermal Physics

Basics

• Ideal Gas Equation
• Stirling’s Formula
• Definition of Heat in Physics
• Definition of Temperature in Physics
• Heat Capacity
• Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
• Boltzmann Distribution
  • Formula for the Number of Gas Molecules at Different Heights in an Isothermal Atmosphere
• Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

Kinetic Theory of Gases

• Maxwell Distribution
• Expected Value of the Speed/Velocity of Gas Molecules
• Average Kinetic Energy of Gas Molecules
• Ideal Gas Equation Derived from Kinetic Theory
• Dalton’s Law
• Flow Rate of Gases

Classical Thermodynamics

• State Functions
• First Law of Thermodynamics
• Isochoric and Isobaric Heat Capacities
  • Isothermal Expansion of an Ideal Gas
  • Adiabatic Expansion of an Ideal Gas
• Thermodynamic Derivation of the Adiabatic Index
• Second Law of Thermodynamics
• Carnot Engine
  • Carnot’s Theorem
• Clausius Inequality $\oint \delta Q / T \le 0$
• Entropy in Thermodynamics $dS = \delta Q / T$
  • The Entropy of the Universe Does Not Decrease
  • Gibbs’ Representation of Entropy
• Enthalpy, Helmholtz Free Energy, Gibbs Free Energy

Statistical Mechanics

“Ludwig Boltzmann, who spent his life studying statistical mechanics, committed suicide in 1906. Paul Ehrenfest, taking over his work, also committed suicide in 1933. Now it is our turn to study statistical mechanics.”¹

References

• Stephen J. Blundell and Katherine M. Blundell, 열 물리학(Concepts in Thermal Physics, 이재우 역) (2nd Edition, 2014)
• R. K. Pathria and Paul D. Beale, Statistical Mechanics (3rd Edition, 2011)