PHYS3441 Statistical Mechanics
15 Credits Class Size: 100
Module manager: Dr Sarah Harris
Email: S.A.Harris@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running
2021/22
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
Upon completion of this module the student should be able to:
- Define and calculate the partition function for simple non-interacting systems.
- Calculate averages of quantities for non-interacting statistical systems.
- Describe and use the microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles.
- Use the Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distribution functions to calculate thermodynamic quantities.
- Describe and use the mean field approximation (e.g. to study magnetic systems).
- Use numerical methods to calculate statistical physics quantities
Skills outcomes
Logical thought.
Problem solving.
Syllabus
1. Statistics and large systems, classical and quantum phase space, ergodicity.
2. Ensembles (microcanonical, canonical, grand canonical), Boltzmann and Gibbs distributions, entropy. Examples from magnets, electron gas and black-body radiation.
3. Interacting systems. Liquids, Debye theory of heat capacity.
4. Phase Transitions, Phase coexistence and phase separation .
5. Numerical methods in statistical mechanics
Teaching Methods
| Delivery type |
Number |
Length hours |
Student hours |
| Lecture |
22 |
1 |
22 |
| Private study hours |
78 |
| Total Contact hours |
22 |
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) |
100 |
Private study
Study: 66 hours;
Self-study examples: 12 hours.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Online exercises
Methods of Assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type |
Notes |
% of formal assessment |
| Online Assessment |
Online Mid-Term Assessment |
20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) |
20 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type |
Exam duration |
% of formal assessment |
| Online Time-Limited assessment |
2.0 Hrs 0 Mins |
80 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) |
80 |
Students will have to complete an online assessment at the end of the module. This will take place during the examinations period at the end of the semester and will be time bound.
Students must submit a reasonable attempt at all assessments for this module to pass this module.
Reading List
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 7/13/2021
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team