About this course: Modern engineering research focuses on designing new materials and processes at the molecular level. Statistical thermodynamics provides the formalism for understanding how molecular interactions lead to the observed collective behavior at the macroscale. This course will develop a molecular-level understanding of key thermodynamic quantities like heat, work, free energy and entropy. These concepts will be applied in understanding several important engineering and biological applications.
Who is this class for: This advanced undergraduate course provides a molecular-level understanding of thermodynamics and covers the application of statistical thermodynamics to several important engineering and biological systems.
Created by: Carnegie Mellon University
Taught by: Venkat Viswanathan, Assistant Professor
Mechanical Engineering
| Level | Intermediate |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Theory: Classical Thermodynamics
4 videos, 2 practice quizzes
- Video: Module 1.1: Classical Mechanics
- Video: Module 1.2: Quantum Mechanics
- Video: Module 2.1: Classical Thermodynamics
- Video: Module 2.2: Phase Equilibrium
- Practice Quiz: Entry Survey
- Practice Quiz: Hands-on demo kit
Graded: Assignment 1
WEEK 2
Theory: Introduction to Statistics and Statistical Thermodynamics
2 videos
- Video: Module 3.1: Statistics
- Video: Module 3.2: Statistical Thermodynamics
- LTI Item: LTI Random Walker Activity
Graded: Assignment 2
WEEK 3
Theory: Non-interacting systems
5 videos
- Video: Module 4.1: Non-Interacting Systems: Two-level System
- Video: Module 4.2: Non-Interacting Systems: Ideal Gas
- Video: Module 4.3: Non-Interacting Systems: Electrons
- Video: Module 4.4: Non-Interacting Systems: Phonons
- Video: Module 4.5: Non-Interacting Systems: Photons
Graded: Assignment 3
WEEK 4
Theory: Interacting systems
3 videos
- Video: Module 5.1: Ising Model: Introduction
- Video: Module 5.2: Ising Model: Mean-field Approximation
- Video: Module 5.3: Ising Model: Fluctuations
Graded: Assignment 4
WEEK 5
Applications: Water, Polymer and Photosynthesis
3 videos
- Video: Module 6.1: Water: Two-phase model
- Video: Module 6.2: Water: Unique properties
- Video: Module 7.1: Polymers
Graded: Assignment 5
WEEK 6
Applications: Photosynthesis, Liquids
3 videos
- Video: Module 8.1: Photosynthesis
- Video: Module 9.1: Classical Liquids
- Video: Module 9.2: Classical Liquids: Measurement
Graded: Assignment 6
WEEK 7
Application: Adsorption, Electrolytes
4 videos
- Video: Module 10.1: Adsorption: Non-interacting adsorbates
- Video: Module 10.2: Adsorption: Interacting adsorbates
- Video: Module 11.1: Electrolytes
- Video: Office Hours
WEEK 8
Thank You
1 video
- Video: Thank You
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HK
Not bad, but would be better if the course could explain more on the details.