Physics 328: Thermal Physics

This course is a 3-hour required course for upper level physics majors. The text required for this course is, Thermal Physics, by Schroeder.

The course syllabus is always available here.

Homework Assignments & Solutions

• Homework #1 | Homework #1 Solutions | Due 3 Sept. 2013
• Homework #2 | Homework #2 Solutions | Due 12 Sept. 2013
• Homework #3 | Homework #3 Solutions | Due 19 Sept. 2013
• Homework #4 | Homework #4 Solutions | Due 26 Sept. 2013
• Homework #5 | Homework #5 Solutions | Due 3 Oct. 2013
• Homework #6 | Homework #6 Solutions | Due 10 Oct. 2013
• Homework #7 | Homework #7 Solutions | Due 31 Oct. 2013
• Homework #8 | Homework #8 Solutions | Due 7 Nov. 2013
• Homework #9 | Homework #9 Solutions | Due 14 Nov. 2013
• Homework #10 | Homework #10 Solutions | Due 3 Dec. 2013
• Optional Homework | Optional Homewlork Solutions | Due 6 Dec. 2013

Classnotes

• Aug. 22:Read sections 1 and 2 in Chapter 1 of the text for class T and be prepared for the first group assignment. Refer to the syllabus for the nature of group assignments.
• Aug. 27: There will be no class on Th., Sept. 5, 2013.
• Sept. 24:The use of Stirling's Approximation to compute the probability of finding exactly 500 heads in 1000 coin tosses.
• Sept. 24:This write-up will provide more details for the Einstein solids model .
• Sept. 26:I am posting here the draft (and I stress the draft nature)of the energy chapter for IJEP that we will work on as our semester project. As you will see, this has been edited by a few people thus far. Our job will be do add some science descriptions, rewrite other sections, and do our best to ensure a common tone. Please read this over by next class and we can discuss it more then.
• Oct. 3: I have written a short Mathematica program to show the entropy curves that are presented in the text.
• Oct. 10: I have posted notes for the first hour exam.
• Oct. 10: Solutions for last year's first hour exam.
• Oct. 17: Solutions to the hour exam.
• Nov. 14: Notes for the second hour exam are posted.

Nov. 14: Last years' second hour exam.

• Nov. 21: Solutions to the second hour exam are posted.
• Dec. 5:Notes for the final exam (including office hours) are posted.