Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (160241-SS 2026)

In this course, you will learn the basic concepts of thermodynamics and statistical physics: 

• Fundamentals of statistical mechanics (microcanonical ensemble, canonical ensemble, chemical potential); ~3 weeks
• Classical gases (classical partition function, ideal gas, Maxwell distribution, diatomic gas, interacting gas, screening and the Debye-Hückel model of a plasma); ~2.5 weeks
• Quantum gases (density of states, photons: blackbody radiation, phonons, diatomic gas revisited, Bosons, Fermions); ~3.5 weeks
• Classic thermodynamics (temperature and the zeroth law, first law, second law, thermodynamic potentials: free energies and enthalpy, third law); ~2.5 weeks
• Phase transitions (liquid-gas transition, Ising model); ~1.5 weeks

Textbook of reference: David Tong, Lectures on Statistical Physics
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Schedule: the course is composed of lectures (2+ 2 h/ week) and exercises (2h/ week)

Lectures: Tuesdays, 10.15am, NB 5/99; Friday, 12.15pm, NB 6/99

Exercise groups: Tuesdays, 12.15pm, NB 6/99; Wednesdays, 12.15, NB 6/173; Thursdays, 2.15pm, NB 2/158

First day of lectures: Friday, April 17th

First week of exercises: April 27th