BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani

Pilani Campus
BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, PILANI
INSTRUCTION DIVISION
FIRST SEMESTER 2017-2018

Course Handout (Part - II)

Date: 02/08/2017
In addition to Part I (General Handout for all courses appended to the Time Table), this portion
gives further specific details regarding the course.

Course No. : PHY F312

Course Title : STATISTICAL MECHANICS
Instructor In-charge : Tapomoy Guha Sarkar

1. Course Description
This is a first course on Statistical mechanics aimed at students who have familiarity with
classical mechanics, quantum mechanics and classical thermodynamics. The stress is on
developing the essential techniques of equilibrium statistical mechanics for non-interacting
systems.

Classical Thermodynamics as a study of macroscopic properties of materials is no doubt an

incredibly elegant interface between us and nature. Historically born out of the remarkable power
of empiricism in the nineteenth century, the laws of Thermodynamics have stood the test of time.
In its breadth of generality and profundity, the subject has found applications in almost all areas
of fundamental and applied sciences. Here, we must note that scientific pedagogy is not
necessarily chronologically ordered. The fast development in our understanding of matter at the
microscopic level through advances in the atomic theories in the twentieth century required
classical thermodynamics to find reconciliation with the Physics at the microscopic level. The
role of statistics in bridging the laws of mechanics with those of thermodynamics is probably as
profound as the laws themselves. In a first course on statistical mechanics aimed towards a target
audience comprising of undergraduate students of basic sciences and engineering it is important
to reveal the subject in its broad multi-layered beauty. The course aims to look at
Thermodynamics as an emergent phenomenon and emphasize the role of statistics in bridging
the microscopic and macroscopic descriptions.

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2. Scope and Objectives

 Develop familiarity with the basic techniques of equilibrium statistical mechanics.

 Understand the role of probability theory and statistics in relating microscopic and
macroscopic descriptions of thermodynamic systems
 Learn key methods of ensemble theory
 Distinguish between quantum and classical statistical mechanics and compute essential
properties of ideal Bosonic and Fermionic systems.

3. Text Books:
TB. Statistical Mechanics, Second Edition, R. K. Pathria, Butterworth-Heinemann (1996)

4 Reference Books :

R1. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, Greiner, Neise and Stocker, Springer (1995)

R2. Statistical Mechanics, Second Edition, Kerson Huang, WSE, Wiley (2000)

R3. Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics, First Edition, F. Reif, McGraw-Hill
(1965)
5. Course Plan ( L : Lecture, T : Tutorial)

Module Number Lecture session/Tutorial Session. Reference Learning Outcome

1. From Mechanics of L 1.1 The need for statistical R3: Chapter 1  The students
particles to Statistical Mechanics. Phase space. CM, QM shall be able to
description. description and need for statistical identify the role
description. Random walk problem as of emergent
Emergent phenomenon phenomenon in
an emergent phenomenon.
probabilistic
(Number of lectures : 1) systems using
Introduction to how complex problems
the random
can be tackled using a stochastic walk problem.
modeling They shall be
able to analyze
a whole set of
apparently
T1. Examples on random walk, Worksheet dissimilar
Bernoulli trials and the Binomial complex
distribution. Brownian motion and emergent
Langevin equation. phenomena
using the
probabilistic/sta

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tistical model.

2. Thermodynamics and L 2.1 Macroscopic and Microscopic TB: 1.1, 1.2  Students shall
Kinetic descriptions. Equilibrium be able to use
description.(Number of Thermodynamics. Quasistatic R2 Chapter 1, the laws of
lectures : 7) processes. Adiabatic and diathermal 2, 3 thermodynamic
walls (definitions) R3 Chapter 3 s for simple
hydro-static
The concept if Temperature from and magnetic
Zeroth Law of thermodynamics. systems.
Empirical temperature scales. Dilute
gases and ideal gas temperature.
Thermometry. Equation of state.  Students shall
Internal Energy. be able to
interpret
L 2.2 Introduction to heat, work and R3 Chapter 4
thermodynamic
internal energy. First law of
quantities as
thermodynamics. Applications of the
averages.
first law of Thermodynamics.
 The concept of
L2.3 Kinetic theory of dilute gases. Class notes
distribution
Pressure, temperature and internal
function shall
energy.
be assimilated
L2.4 Description of dynamics in Phase R2: Chapter 6 and the
space, Mu-space and distribution students shall
function. Maxwell’s velocity be able to
distribution compute
statistical
L 2.5 Carnot’s engine, The Second R2 Chapter 2 averages using
Law of Thermodynamics, Entropy and the distribution
Clausius’s inequality. function.

T 2.1 Problems on thermometry , R3 Chapter  The students

Applications of the first law of 4.1 shall be able to
Thermodynamics use basic
results from
L 2.6 Thermodynamic potentials and R2 Chapter 2, non-interacting
mathematical formulation of 2nd Law. 3 kinetic theory
Applications to simple systems. Exact of dilute gases
and inexact differentials, Maxwell’s

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relations and response functions in diverse
situations and
L 2.7 Summary of thermodynamics Class notes appreciate the
including the Third law and relationship
applications to ideal gas. between the
microscopic
Micro state and micro state
and
T2.2 Problems involving the second Worksheet macroscopic
law of Thermodynamics, heat engines, description.
and thermodynamic potentials

3. Ensemble Theory I L3.1 Thermodynamic state of a R2 Chapter 6  The students

system. Micro state and macrostate. shall be well
Microcanonical ensemble R3: Chapter 2 versed with
MCE Counting, probability and statistics essential tools
(Number of lectures: 5) L 3.2 The Gamma space and phase TB: 2.1, 2.2 of counting ,
space distribution function. Ensembles. probability and
Liouville’s theorem Ergodicity and statistics (
averages. Postulate of equal apriori revision)
probability. Micro canonical ensemble
 The students
(MCE) .
shall be able to
T3. 3 Counting of states in MCE. TB 2.3, 2.4 count states
Entropy and second law of and compute
thermodynamics (revisit) Boltzmann
entropy
L 3.4 Sackur Tetrode equation and R3 Chapter
calculation of entropy using MCE. 7.3
Gibb’s paradox and entropy of mixing.

L 3.5 The Ising model and calculation Class notes

of thermodynamic quantities.

T 3.1 Problems on counting and R3 Chapter

Stirling approximation. Entropy 4.5
calculation using MCE.

4. Ensemble theory II L4.1 Need for canonical ensemble and TB : 3.1, 3.2
derivation of the distribution function
Canonical ensemble CE for canonical ensemble  The students

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(Number of lectures: 10) L4.2. The Canonical partition function. R3: Chapter 6 shall be able to
calculate the
Calculations of partition function for TB 3.3, 3.4, canonical
simple systems. 3.5 partition
R2 Chapter 12 function for
simple systems
L4.3 Method of most probable values. TB 3.1, 3.2 and compute
various
L 4.4 Fluctuations in statistical R2 12.5 thermodynamic
mechanics. quantities.

L4.5 Calculation of thermodynamic TB Chapter 3

quantities using Canonical ensemble  The students
shall be able to
L4.6 The principle of Equipartition of TB 3.7 use the law of
energy equipartition of
energy for
L4.7 The Virial expansion TB 3.7 solving
problems
L4.8 The problem of a collection of TB 3.8
SHOs.

TB 3.9  The students

L4.9 The theory of Paramagnetism
shall be
R3: Chapter exposed to
7.8 magnetic
systems
L4.10 Paramagnetism (continued) R3: Chapter
7.8

T4. 1 Problems on canonical ensemble. Worksheet

Calculation of partition function and
thermodynamic quantities in hydro-
static and magnetic systems.

5. Ensemble Theory III L5.1. Grand canonical distribution and  The students
Grand canonical partition function. The shall be able to
Grand canonical Ensemble role of the Chemical potential. TB 4.1, 4.2, compute the
4.3 grand
GCE
R3: Chapter canonical

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(Number of lectures: 3) 6.9 partition
function and
L 5.2 Calculation of thermodynamic R2 Chapter 13 obtain
quantities using GCE and other variants quantities of
of the ensemble. interest in
thermodynami
L 5.3 Applications of GCE TB Chapter 4
cs.
T5.1 Calculation of grand canonical Worksheet
partition function and obtaining
thermodynamic quantities from it.

6. Quantum Statistical R3 : chapter 9

Mechanics
L6.1. Distinguishable vs R2: Chapter 8  The students
(Number of lectures: 3) indistinguishable particles. Introduction shall be able to
to Quantum statistical mechanics. distinguish
Revisiting the ensembles. Introduction between
to Bosons and Fermions. Spin- Bosonic and
statistics theorem (no proof) Fermionic
particles and
L6.2. BE and FD distribution function R3: Chapter also obtain the
using the method of most probable 9.3 classical limit
distribution. The theory of Lagrange
multipliers to be discussed in details.  They shall be
able to grasp
L 6.3 Classical limit of Quantum R3: chapter the idea of
statistical mechanics and validity of the 9.8 thermal
Boltzmann’s theory. The density wavelength
matrix formalism for description of
Quantum systems.

T6. Problems on FD and BE statistics Worksheet

7. BOSE systems L7.1. The ideal Bose gas. TB 7.1

(Number of lectures: 6) R2 Chapter 10  The students

shall be able to
L7.2. Bose Einstein Condensation R2: Chapter calculate
11 properties of
non-interacting
L 7.3 Theory of Photon statistics and TB 7.2
Bosonic
black body radiation.
R3 Chapter

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9.13 systems

L 7.4 Photon statistics and connection R3 Chapter  The students

with quantum optics description. 9.14, 9.15 shall be able to
obtain the
T 7.1 Problems on blackbody radiation. Worksheet Plank’s law
from first
L 7.5 Lattice vibrations and Phonons. R3: Chapter
principles and
10.1
shall be able to
L 7.6 Specific heat of solids ( Debye R3: Chapter apply it in
and Einstein’s theory) 10.2 various
problems
involving
blackbody
radiation

8. FERMI systems L 8.1 The theory of Fermi gas TB 8.1  The students
shall be able to
(Number of lectures: 3) R2 Chapter 9 compute
R3 Chapter properties of
L8.2. Degenerate electron gas in non-interacting
metals 9.16, 9.17
electrons
L8.3 Degeneracy pressure and Class notes  Low
Astrophysical application in stellar
temperature
astrophysics
linear
dependence of
electronic
specific heat

T 8.1 Problems on Fermi gas theory Worksheet

 The students
shall get an
L 9.1 Thermodynamic description of R2 Chapter 4 exposure to the
phase transitions. The concept of order basic physics of
9. Phase Transitions
parameter. First order and second order first order and
(Number of lectures: 2) transitions. Clausius Clapeyron second order
equation phase
transitions
L9.2 Second order phase transitions and R2 Chapter 4

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critical phenomenon (elementary)

Scaling of response functions.

T 9.1 Problems on phase transitions Worksheet

TOTAL NUMBER OF MODULES: 9 . TOTAL NUMBER OF LECTURES : 40

6. Evaluation Scheme:
Evaluation Weightage
Date & Time Remarks
Component (Marks)
Mid-Sem. 30% (60) 11/10 9:00 - 10:30 AM Open and closed book
Comprehensive 40% (80) 6/12 FN Open and closed book
To be announced in
Tutorials 30% (60) Open and closed book
class

After completing this course the students will be able to

1) Relate the laws of classical thermodynamics to their statistical roots

2) They shall be able to compute thermodynamic quantities as response functions from
statistical first principles
3) Have a thorough understanding of basic ensemble theory
4) Distinguish between Bosonic and Fermionic statistics
5) Shall be able to solve problems involving non-interacting ideal Bose and Fermi gases.

Closed Book Test: No reference material of any kind will be permitted inside the exam hall.

Open Book Exam: Use of any printed/written reference material (text book and notebooks)
shall be permitted inside the exam hall. Computers of any kind shall not be allowed inside the
exam hall. Use of calculators shall be allowed in all exams.

Chamber Consultation Hour: To be announced in the class.

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Notices: Notices and solutions will be displayed only on PHYSICS/FDIII notice board.

Make-up Policy [STRICT]

It shall be the responsibility of the individual student to be regular in maintaining the self
study schedule as given in the course handout, attend lectures, tutorial tests, mid Semester
Test and the comprehensive Examination. There shall be no ‘Make-ups’ for tutorial tests.
Make up for regular tests will be given only to genuine cases, i.e. (i) Sickness leading to
hospitalization, (ii) Sickness with valid certificate from a doctor (ii) Emergency need to be
Out-of-station with prior/immediate intimation to/permission from the IC.

Tapomoy Guha Sarkar

(Instructor-in-charge)

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