Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics

From the zeroth law to the partition function — the four laws, and the microscopic story behind them.

Syllabus

  1. Foundations & Temperature

    1. L1 · The Players & the First Two Laws
    2. L2 · Equilibrium, Temperature & the Zeroth Law
    3. L3 · The Ideal Gas & Kinetic Theory
    4. L4 · Work, Heat & Thermodynamic Processes

  2. The First Law

    1. L5 · Internal Energy & the First Law
    2. L6 · Heat Capacities & Enthalpy
    3. L7 · Adiabatic Processes
    4. L8 · First-Law Applications

  3. The Second Law & Entropy

    1. L9 · The Second Law & the Carnot Cycle
    2. L10 · Entropy
    3. L11 · Irreversibility & the Arrow of Time
    4. L12 · The Third Law & Absolute Entropy

  4. Free Energy & Potentials

    1. L13 · Thermodynamic Potentials
    2. L14 · Maxwell Relations & the TdS Equations
    3. L15 · Free Energy & Spontaneity
    4. L16 · Open Systems & the Chemical Potential

  5. Engines, Refrigerators & Phase Transitions

    1. L17 · Real Cycles — Otto, Diesel & Rankine
    2. L18 · Phase Transitions & Clausius–Clapeyron
    3. L19 · Real Gases & Critical Points
    4. L20 · Mixtures, Solutions & Colligative Properties

  6. The Statistical Bridge

    1. L21 · Microstates & the Boltzmann Entropy
    2. L22 · The Boltzmann Distribution & the Partition Function
    3. L23 · Applications of the Partition Function
    4. L24 · Quantum Statistics & What's Next