This course is part of the Statistical Thermodynamics Specialization

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John W. Daily

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Statistical Thermodynamics SpecializationUniversity of Colorado Boulder

About this Course

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Course 1 first explores the basics of both macroscopic and microscopic thermodynamics from a postulatory point of view. In this view, the meaning of temperature, thermodynamic pressure and chemical potential are especially clear and easy to understand. In addition , the development of the Fundamental Relation and its various transformations leads to a clear path to property relations and to the concept of ensembles needed to understand the relationship between atomic and molecular structural properties and macroscopic properties.  We then explore the relationship between atomic and molecular structure and macroscopic properties by taking a statistical point of view. Using a postulatory approach, the method for doing this is made clear. This leads to the development of the partition function which describes the distribution of molecular quantum states as a function of the independent, macroscopic thermodynamic properties.

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Course 1 of 5 in the

Statistical Thermodynamics Specialization

Advanced Level

Approx. 9 hours to complete

English

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Skills you will gain

Mechanical Engineering
Chemistry
Fluid Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 1 of 5 in the

Statistical Thermodynamics Specialization

Advanced Level

Approx. 9 hours to complete

English

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Instructor

Instructor rating

4.18/5 (57 Ratings)

John W. Daily

Professor

Mechanical Engineering

31,259 Learners

5 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Program Introduction

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 34 min), 6 readings, 3 quizzes

6 videos

Statistical Thermodynamics: Introductions and Background5mA Brief Overview4mThe Nature of Matter5mWork, Energy and the First Law for a Point Source6mInternal Energy, Heat Transfer and the 1st Law for Real Systems7mEquilibrium and Thermodynamic Properties4m

6 readings

Bibliography10mA Brief Overview10mThe Nature of Matter10mWork, Energy and the 1st Law for a Point Mass10mInternal Energy, Heat Transfer and the 1st Law for Real Systems10mEquilibrium and Thermodynamic Properties10m

2 practice exercises

Problem 1.310mProblem 1.410m

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Macroscopic Thermodynamics

We then explore the relationship between atomic and molecu-lar structure and macroscopic properties by taking a statistical point of view. Using apostulatory approach, the method for doing this is made clear. This leads to the devel-opment of the partition function which describes the distribution of molecular quantumstates as a function of the independent, macroscopic thermodynamic properties.

4 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 43 min), 9 readings, 3 quizzes

9 videos

Fundamentals of Macroscopic Thermodynamics11mThe Thermodynamic Definition of Temperature5mThe Thermodynamic Definition of Pressure4mThe Thermodynamic Definition of Chemical Potential5mRepresentation and the Equations of State, Euler Equations and the Gibbs-Duhem Relation4mAlternative Representations3mQuasi-Static Processes3mMaxwell's Relations2mBuilding Property Relations3m

9 readings

Fundamentals of Macroscopic Thermodynamics10mThe Thermodynamic Definition of Temperature10mThe Thermodynamic Definition of Pressure10mThe Thermodynamic Definition of Chemical Potential10mRepresentation and the Equations of State, Euler Equations and the Gibbs-Duhem Relation10mAlternative Representations10mQuasi-Static Processes10mMaxwell's Relations10mBuilding Property Relations10m

3 practice exercises

Problem 2.210mProblem 2.310mProblem 2.410m

Week3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Microscopic Thermodynamics

Here we explore microscopic thermodynamics from a postulatory point of view. We introduce the concept of ensembles as needed to understand the relationship between atomic and molecular structural properties and macroscopic properties. This leads to the partition function which relsates the distribution of molecular quantum states as a function of the independent, macroscopic thermodynamic properties.

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 43 min), 6 readings, 1 quiz

6 videos

Role of Statistics in Thermodynamics8mThe Postulates of Microscopic Thermodynamics5mSolving for the Most Probable Distribution3mThe Partition Function6mFluctuations3mQuantum Statistics16m

6 readings

Role of Statistics in Thermodynamics10mThe Postulates of Microscopic Thermodynamics10mSolving for the Most Probable Distribution10mThe Partition Function10mFluctuations10mQuantum Statistics10m

1 practice exercise

Problem 3.15m

Reviews

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TOP REVIEWS FROM FUNDAMENTALS OF MACROSCOPIC AND MICROSCOPIC THERMODYNAMICS

by MKJul 15, 2020

The beginning of Everything is Difficult. If you want to start statistical thermodynamics, this is it.

by JJJul 17, 2020

Really fun and challenging. Good teaching methods.

by JBNov 1, 2021

Very complete introductory course to a statistical thermodynamics

by AMMay 9, 2020

Excellent course providing basic outline of statistical thermodynamics

View all reviews

About the Statistical Thermodynamics Specialization

This specialization was developed for the mechanical or aerospace engineering advanced undergraduate graduate or graduate student who already has a strong background in undergraduate engineering thermodynamics and is ready to tackle the underlying fundamentals of the subject. It is designed for those entering advanced fields such as combustion, high temperature gas dynamics, environmental sciences, or materials processing, or wishes to build a background for understanding advanced experimental diagnostic techniques in these or similar fields. It covers the relationship between macroscopic and microscopic thermodynamics and derives properties for gases, liquids and solids. It also covers non-equilibrium behavior as found in kinetic theory and chemical kinetics. The main innovation is the use of the postulatory approach to introducing fundamental concepts and the very clear connection between macroscopic and microscopic thermodynamics. By introducing basic ideas using postulates, students are given a very straightforward way to think about important concepts, including entropy and temperature, ensembles and quantum mechanics.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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Fundamentals of Macroscopic and Microscopic Thermodynamics

About this Course

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