TLÜ ÕIS

Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

Course code

MLF6106.LT

old course code

MLF6106

Course title in Estonian

Termodünaamika ja statistiline füüsika

Course title in English

Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

ECTS credits

5.0

Assessment form

Examination

lecturer of 2025/2026 Spring semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

lecturer of 2026/2027 Autumn semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

Course aims

To provide a survey of the basic statistics of classical thermodynamics.
Allow the understanding of the development of classical thermodynamics microscopic level;
Thermodynamics II knowledge to enable the progression of the principle as a universal law of nature;
Support the acquisition of basic knowledge of statistical physics, and their implementation at the micro level.

Brief description of the course

Elements of probability theory. Concepts of quantum mechanics. Entropy and equilibrium distributions. Second law of thermodynamics. Microcanonical distribution, canonical distribution and grand canonical distribution. Internal energy, absolute temperature, mechanical work and chemical potential. First law of thermodynamics and heat. Clausius inequality. Efficiency of a heat engine. Physical interpretations of entropy. Thermodynamic potentials.

Learning outcomes in the course

Upon completing the course the student:
- applies basic methods of probability theory and statistical physics to describe thermodynamic situations (including the selection of a suitable ensemble: micro-, canonical, grand canonical);
- describes and relates thermodynamic systems at the micro level using distributions and state functions and interprets the meaning of entropy;
- applies and justifies the first and second principles of thermodynamics and relates macroscopic regularities to their statistical interpretation.

Teacher

PhD Astrid Rekker

Prerequisite course 1

Mathematical Methods in the Natural Sciences (MLF6901.LT)

Prerequisite course 2

Basic Mathematics for Science (MLM6060.DT)

The course is a prerequisite

Statistical Thermodynamics (MLF6107.LT)
Statistical Thermodynamics (MLF7114.LT)
Stochastic Processes (MLF7125.LT)
Stochastic Processes (MLF7105.LT)

Study programmes containing that course