| LEC # | TOPICS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction Probability density, Cumulative probability | |
| 2 | Probability examples, Averages, Poisson distribution | |
| 3 | Two random variables, Conditional probability | |
| 4 | Poisson distribution derived, jointly Gaussian random variables | Problem set 1 due |
| 5 | Functions of a Random Variable | |
| 6 | Functions of a Random Variable (more than one) | |
| 7 | Summation and convolution | Problem set 2 due |
| 8 | Central Limit Theorem | |
| 9 | Introduction to Thermodynamics, Zeroth Law, Empirical temperature | |
| 10 | Temperature scale, Work | Problem set 3 due |
| 11 | Exact differentials, First Law of Thermodynamics | |
| 12 | Ideal gas, Adiabatic path | |
| 13 | Phase space, Equal a priori probabilities | Problem set 4 due |
| 14 | Microcanonical Ensemble, Entropy | |
| 15 | Second Law of Thermodynamics, Examples using entropy | |
| 16 | Two level system | Problem set 5 due |
| 17 | Entropy as a state function | |
| Exam 1 | ||
| 18 | Maxwell relations, Thermodynamic potentials | |
| 19 | Equivalent statements of the Second Law, Carnot Engine | |
| 20 | Refrigerator, Heat pump, Other examples | |
| 21 | Canonical Ensemble, Boltzmann probability, Partition function | Problem set 6 due |
| 22 | Monoatomic ideal gas calculation | |
| 23 | Two level system | |
| 24 | Equipartition, Polyatomic gas, Vibration & quantum harmonic oscillator | Problem set 7 due |
| 25 | Finish harmonic oscillator, Molecular rotations | |
| 26 | Finish rotations, Maxwell distribution | |
| 27 | Paramagnetism | Problem set 8 due |
| 28 | Adiabatic demagnetism, 3rd Law of Thermodynamics, Thermal radiation | |
| Exam 2 | ||
| 29 | Blackbody thermodynamics, Stephan-Boltzmann Law, Counting Modes | |
| 30 | Classical and quantum blackbody u (ω,T) | |
| 31 | Chemical potential | Problem set 9 due |
| 32 | Indistinguishable particles, Symmetric vs. antisymmetric | |
| 33 | Occupation number, Fermi gas | |
| 34 | Fermi gas II | Problem set 10 due |
| 35 | Neutron star | |
| 36 | Bose-Einstein Condensation | |
| 37 | Finish Bose-Einstein Condensation, Summary | Problem set 11 due |
| Final Exam | ||