MECHENG 8503
Transcript Abbreviation:
Statistical Thermo
Course Description:
Microscopic aspects of thermodynamics for engineering graduate students. Starts with kinetic gas theory and classical statistics of independent particles. Derives statistical distribution functions and thermostatic properties of real substances.
Course Levels:
Graduate (5000-8000 level)
Designation:
Elective
General Education Course:
(N/A)
Cross-Listings:
(N/A)
Credit Hours (Minimum if “Range”selected):
3.00
Max Credit Hours:
3.00
Select if Repeatable:
Off
Maximum Repeatable Credits:
(N/A)
Total Completions Allowed:
(N/A)
Allow Multiple Enrollments in Term:
No
Course Length:
14 weeks (autumn or spring)
12 weeks (summer only)
Off Campus:
Never
Campus Location:
Columbus
Instruction Modes:
In Person (75-100% campus; 0-24% online)
Prerequisites and Co-requisites:
Prereq: Grad standing in MechEng or AeroEng, and permission of instructor.
Electronically Enforced:
No
Exclusions:
Not open to students with credit for 803.
Course Goals / Objectives:
Understand the microscopic basis for the thermodynamic properties of real systems and matter
Understand the Boltzmann equation, the equilibrium between collisions between particles and the forces driving the flux of particles, electrical current and heat
Understand statistical distribution functions
Gain experience in the application of those concepts to some practical systems: electrons in solids, heat capacity and conduction, light, and plasmas
Check if concurrence sought:
No
Contact Hours:
| Topic | LEC | REC out-of-class | REC in-class | Weekly LAB out-of-class | Weekly LAB in-class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to statistical thermodynamics and thermal physics | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Kinetic Gas Theory | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| The Boltzmann equation, collisions, use in transport of mass, heat and electrical charge. | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Statistical distributions functions: probabilistic arguments, Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Microstates, macrostates, thermodynamic probability, partition function, Heisenberg uncertainty principle | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Relation to macroscopic phenomenological thermodynamics, relation between entropy and probability. | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Bose-Einstein statistics in light (photons) and sound waves (phonons) and conduction of heat | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Introduction to quantum mechanics | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| The harmonic oscillator (quantum), molecular vibrational and rotational levels | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Solids: crystal structures, electrons in crystals | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Fermi-Dirac statistics for electron distribution in solids | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Conduction of electrical current | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Grading Plan:
Letter Grade
Course Components:
Lecture
Independent Study
Grade Roster Component:
Lecture
Credit by Exam (EM):
No
Grades Breakdown:
| Aspect | Percent |
|---|---|
| Take-home midterm | 50% |
| Take-home final | 50% |
Representative Textbooks and Other Course Materials:
| Title | Author | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Statistical Thermodynamics | C. L. Tien and J. H. Leonard |
ABET-CAC Criterion 3 Outcomes:
(N/A)
ABET-ETAC Criterion 3 Outcomes:
(N/A)
ABET-EAC Criterion 3 Outcomes:
(N/A)
Embedded Literacies Info: