# Thermal Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

## Thermal Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Robert F. Sekerka

Preference :

Thermal physics deals with the quantitative physical analysis of macroscopic systems. Such systems consist of a very large number, N , of atoms, typically N ∼ 1023. According to classical mechanics, detailed knowledge of the microscopic state of motion (say, position ri and velocity vi) of each atom, i = 1, 2, ... , N , at some time t, even if attainable, would constitute an overwhelmingly huge database that would be practically useless. More useful quantities would be averages, such as the average kinetic energy of an atom in the system, which would be independent of time if the system were in equilibrium. We might also be interested in knowing such things as the volume V of the system or the pressure p that it exerts on the walls of a containing vessel. In other words, a useful description of a macroscopic system is necessarily statistical and consists of knowledge of a few macroscopic variables that describe the system to our satisfaction.

Content :
• Introduction
• First Law of Thermodynamics
• Second Law of Thermodynamics
• Third Law of Thermodynamics
• Open Systems
• Equilibrium and Thermodynamic Potentials
• Requirements for Stability
• Monocomponent Phase Equilibrium
• Two-Phase Equilibrium for a van der Waa ls Fluid
• Binary Solutions
• Externa l Forces and Rotating Coordinate Systems
• Chemical Reactions
• Thermodynamics of Fluid-Fluid Interf aces
• Thermodynamics of Solid-Flu iid Interfaces
• PART II Statistical Mechanics