Statistical Physics II

Graphical representation of the total numbers of states in a combined system with with energies E1 and E2 in the two sub systems. The total energy E1+E2 is fixed. (Image courtesy of Prof. Xiao-Gang Wen.)

Instructors:

Prof. Xiao-Gang Wen

MIT Course Number:

8.08

Level:

Undergraduate

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Course Description

This course covers probability distributions for classical and quantum systems. Topics include: Microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical partition-functions and associated thermodynamic potentials. Also discussed are conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium for homogenous and heterogenous systems.

The course follows 8.044, Statistical Physics I, and is second in this series of undergraduate Statistical Physics courses.