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- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics_(Nair)/01%3A_Basic_Concepts/1.03%3A_Equation_of_StateIn specifying the equation of state, we will use the absolute temperature, denoted by t. We will introduce this concept later, but for now, we will take it as given. The absolute temperature is always...In specifying the equation of state, we will use the absolute temperature, denoted by t. We will introduce this concept later, but for now, we will take it as given. The absolute temperature is always positive, varying from zero (or absolute zero) to infinity. The ideal gas is then characterized by the equation of state pV=nkT where N denotes the number of molecules of the gas and k is a constant, known as Boltzmann’s constant.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics_(Nair)/10%3A_Entropy_and_Information/10.02%3A_Maxwells_DemonThere is a very interesting thought experiment due to Maxwell which is perhaps best phrased as a potential violation of the second law of thermodynamics. The resolution of this problem highlights the ...There is a very interesting thought experiment due to Maxwell which is perhaps best phrased as a potential violation of the second law of thermodynamics. The resolution of this problem highlights the role of entropy as information.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics_(Nair)These are the lecture notes for the course on Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. This is a course meant for upper level undergraduate students in physics, so that is the level at which most top...These are the lecture notes for the course on Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. This is a course meant for upper level undergraduate students in physics, so that is the level at which most topics are discussed.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics_(Nair)/07%3A_Classical_Statistical_Mechanics/7.05%3A_Equation_of_StateThe equation of state, as given by Equation 7.4.19, requires the computation of the grand canonical partition function. This page shows explicitly the first correction to the ideal gas equation of sta...The equation of state, as given by Equation 7.4.19, requires the computation of the grand canonical partition function. This page shows explicitly the first correction to the ideal gas equation of state. The van der Waals equation is, at best, a model for the equation of state incorporating some features of the interatomic forces. Here we have a more systematic way to calculate with realistic interatomic potentials.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics_(Nair)/08%3A_Quantum_Statistical_Mechanics/8.02%3A_Bose-Einstein_DistributionWe will now consider the derivation of the distribution function for free bosons carrying out the counting of states along the lines of what we did for the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Let us start...We will now consider the derivation of the distribution function for free bosons carrying out the counting of states along the lines of what we did for the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Let us start by considering how we obtained the binomial distribution. We considered a number of particles and how they can be distributed among, say, K boxes. As the simplest case of this, consider two particles and two boxes. The ways in which we can distribute them are as shown below.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics_(Nair)/03%3A_The_Second_Law_of_Thermodynamics/3.04%3A_Absolute_Temperature_and_EntropyAnother consequence of the second law is the existence of an absolute temperature. Although we have used the notion of absolute temperature, it was not proven. Now we can show this just from the laws ...Another consequence of the second law is the existence of an absolute temperature. Although we have used the notion of absolute temperature, it was not proven. Now we can show this just from the laws of thermodynamics.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics_(Nair)/06%3A_Thermodynamic_Relations_and_Processes/6.03%3A_Joule-Kelvin_ExpansionThe expansion of a gas through a small opening or a porous plug with the pressure on either side being maintained is called Joule-Kelvin expansion. The pressures are maintained by the flow of gases. T...The expansion of a gas through a small opening or a porous plug with the pressure on either side being maintained is called Joule-Kelvin expansion. The pressures are maintained by the flow of gases. The values of the pressures on the two sides of the plug are not the same. The gas undergoes a decrease in volume on one side as the molecules move through the opening to the other side. The volume on the other side increases as molecules move in. The whole system is under adiabatic condition.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics_(Nair)/07%3A_Classical_Statistical_Mechanics/7.02%3A_Maxwell-Boltzmann_StatisticsNow we can see how all this applies to the particles in a gas. The analog of heads or tails would be the momenta and other numbers which characterize the particle properties. Thus, we can consider N p...Now we can see how all this applies to the particles in a gas. The analog of heads or tails would be the momenta and other numbers which characterize the particle properties. Thus, we can consider N particles distributed into different cells, each of the cells standing for a collection of observables or quantum numbers which can characterize the particle.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics_(Nair)/08%3A_Quantum_Statistical_Mechanics/8.05%3A_Applications_of_the_Fermi-Dirac_DistributionWe now consider some applications of the Fermi-Dirac distribution (8.2.5). It is useful to start by examining the behavior of this function as the temperature goes to zero. Thus all states below a cer...We now consider some applications of the Fermi-Dirac distribution (8.2.5). It is useful to start by examining the behavior of this function as the temperature goes to zero. Thus all states below a certain value, which is the zero-temperature value of the chemical potential, are filled with one fermion each. All states above this value are empty. This is a highly quantum state. The value of ϵ for the highest filled state is called the Fermi level.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics_(Nair)/01%3A_Basic_ConceptsThermodynamics is the description of thermal properties of matter in bulk. The study of phenomena involving the transfer of heat energy and allied processes form the subject matter. The fundamental de...Thermodynamics is the description of thermal properties of matter in bulk. The study of phenomena involving the transfer of heat energy and allied processes form the subject matter. The fundamental description of the properties of matter in bulk, such as temperature, heat energy, etc., are given by statistical mechanics. For equilibrium states of a system the results of statistical mechanics give us the laws of thermodynamics.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics/Thermodynamics_and_Statistical_Mechanics_(Nair)/00%3A_Front_Matter/02%3A_InfoPageThe LibreTexts libraries are Powered by NICE CXOne and are supported by the Department of Education Open Textbook Pilot Project, the UC Davis Office of the Provost, the UC Davis Library, the Californi...The LibreTexts libraries are Powered by NICE CXOne and are supported by the Department of Education Open Textbook Pilot Project, the UC Davis Office of the Provost, the UC Davis Library, the California State University Affordable Learning Solutions Program, and Merlot.