Thermal Physics Phys360 Spring 2015
Schedule Number 22517
COURSE INFORMATION
Class Days: TTh
Class Times: 11:00-12:15
Class Location: P149
Professor: Arlette Baljon
Contact Information: abaljon@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours Days: TTh
Office Hours Times 3:00-4:00 (and by appointment):
Office Hours Location: P136
Course Overview
Learning Outcomes:
After finishing this course successfully students will be able to:
1) Understand conceptually and are able to explain the theoretical principles of the following
subjects in Thermal Physics: First, second, and third law of thermodynamics. Applications of
thermodynamics to ideal gasses, magnetism, and biological matter. Heat engines. Phase
transitions. Introduction to statistical mechanics. Boltzmann and Quantum statistics. (details on
covered text book chapters is available on Bb.)
2) Apply the principles of problem solving to a wide variety of situations in Thermal Physics.
3) Recognize the connections between material discussed in this Thermal Physics class and other
classes taken as part of the curriculum (in the areas of classical and quantum mechanics).
4) Recall and use basic mathematical tools needed to solve the physical questions.
5) Appreciate the huge influence thermodynamics had in he 19th century on the industrial
revolution.
Catologue: Classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Applications of equilibrium
thermodynamics. Statistical mechanics, including concepts from probability and statistics. MaxwellBoltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein statistics. Applications of statistical mechanics in calculating
macroscopic properties of simple systems.
Enrollment Information
Prerequisites: Physics 350, 354 and Math 340A (enforced).
Course Materials
Text: “An Introduction to Thermal Physics”, D. V. Schroeder (Addison Wesley, Boston 2000)
Course Structure and Conduct
There will be 9 quizzes and a final. There is a HW set before each quiz, which will not be graded. Instead
solutions will be posted on Bb. Quiz will cover approx. 2.5 lectures and HW. See schedule on Bb for
dates and covered material.
Course Assessment and Grading
The seven highest quiz scores count for 60% of your grade. The final, that is comprehensive (includes all
of the material covered), will count for 40% of your grade.
Scale: A 90%, A- 86%, B+ 80%, B 76%, B- 72%, C+ 66%, C 62%, C- 58%, D+ 54%, D 48%, D-
44%, F < 44%.
Other Course Policies
Disability: If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to
contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact
Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that I cannot provide
accommodations based upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your
cooperation is appreciated.