PHYS 456 Syllabus

Course information:
Credit Hours*
Course Code Course Name T Prerequisite(s) Classification
Pr Tr Cr
h
Statistical PHYS 221 Department
PHYS 456 3 0 0 3
Mechanics PHYS 354 Requirement
*Th: Theory, Pr: Practical, Tr: Training, Cr: Credit hours.

Course Description:

Review of the three laws of thermodynamics, introduction to statistical physics, and the
statistical interpretation of thermodynamic laws. The course includes topics on the heat
capacity of solids, black body radiation, the behavior of the perfect classical gas, and
quantum gas, focusing on the partition functions of different types of particles (classical,
bosons and fermions), along with the Maxwells-Boltzmann, the Fermi-Dirac and Bose-
Einstein distributions.

Course Main Objective:

This course aims to provide an understanding of the basic concepts of probability and the
statistical mechanics of distinguishable and indistinguishable particles.

Class Scheduling:

Classes are held three times/week for 50 minutes each.

Textbook(s):

1- R. Rosser, Introduction to Statistical Physics, McGraw Hill (1983).

2- Statistical physics by: F. Mandl, John and sons (1988) reprinted 2002.
3- B.N. Roy, Fundamentals of Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics, John Wiley & Sons
( 2002).

Course coordinator(s):

Dr. Areej Aljarb

Grade distribution:
Percentage of Total
# Assessment task* Week Due Assessment Score
1 Midterm 1 Exam 7 20%
2 Midterm 2 Exam 12 20%
3 Student activities 1-15 20%
4 Final exam 16-18 40%
Contents:

Contact
No List of Topics
Hours
1 Review of Classical Equilibrium Thermodynamics. 3
2 Introduction to Statistical Mechanics. 6
Interpretation of Classical Equilibrium Thermodynamics Using Statistical
3 6
Mechanics.
Maxwell-Boltzman Distribution and Concepts of Maxwell Velocity
4 6
Distribution.
5 The Partition Function and Thermodynamics. 6
6 Planck's Radiation Law. 6
7 Heat Capacity of Solids. 6
8 The Fermi-Dirac and the Bose-Einstein Distribution Function . 6
9. Some Applications of The Fermi-Dirac and the Bose-Einstein 6
Distributions.
Total 45

Course Learning Outcomes:

Aligned
CLOs
PLOs
1.0 Knowledge and understanding
1.1 Define the main principles of statistical mechanics. K.2
2.0 Skills
2.1 Demonstrate understanding of the principles underlying statistical S.4
mechanics
2.2 Apply the statistical mechanics principle to calculate key S.4
thermodynamic quantities.
2.3 Apply statistical distributions to different physical scenarios. S.1
2.4 Demonstrate the ability to solve numerical problems. S.3
3.0 Values, autonomy, and responsibility
3.1 Engage in a project focused on application of statistical principles. V.3

You can achieve the learning outcomes listed above through a combination of the following
activities:
*Attend all lectures
*Participate in lecture discussions
Weekly course schedule:
Week Sunday Tuesday Thursday
12/01/2025 14/01/2025 16/01/2025
1
19/01/2025 21/01/2025 23/01/2025
2
26/01/2025 28/01/2025 30/01/2025 online
Chapter 1 A Review of
Introduction Classical Equilibrium
3 Chapter 1 A Review of
Chapter 1 A Review of 1.4-1.10
Classical Equilibrium
Classical Equilibrium Chapter 2 Introduction
1.3-1.6
1.1-1.2 to Statistical Mechanics
2.1
02/02/2025 04/02/2025 06/02/2025 online

4 Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 2 Introduction

to Statistical Mechanics to Statistical Mechanics to Statistical Mechanics
2.2 2.3 2.4 - 2.5

09/02/2025 11/02/2025 13/02/2025

Chapter 3 The Chapter 3 The
Interpretation of Interpretation of
5
Classical Equilibrium Classical Equilibrium Tutorials 1 online
Thermodynamics Using Thermodynamics Using
Statistical Mechanics Statistical Mechanics
3.1-3.3 3.4-3.6
16/02/2025 18/02/2025 20/02/2025
Chapter 3 The Chapter 3 The
Interpretation of Interpretation of
6 Classical Equilibrium Classical Equilibrium Quiz 1 (Ch.1-Ch.3)
Thermodynamics Using Thermodynamics Using 3 Marks
Statistical Mechanics Statistical Mechanics
3.6 3.7-3.8
23/02/2025 25/02/2025 27/02/2025 online
7 Chapter 4 The
MIDTERM 1 Boltzmann Distribution
Wednesday for a Small System In
Founding Day DOS
26/02/2025 Thermal Equilibrium
(Ch.1-Ch.3) With A Heat Reservoir
4.1-4.6
02/03/2025 04/03/2025 06/03/2025
Chapter 4 The
8 Chapter 4 The
Boltzmann Distribution
Assignment 1 Boltzmann Distribution
for a Small System In
RAMADAN for a Small System In
Thermal Equilibrium -
Thermal Equilibrium
With A Heat Reservoir
With A Heat Reservoir
4.7- 4.8
4.9
 09/03/2025 11/03/2025 13/03/2025
Chapter 5 The Chapter 5 The
9
Partition Function And Partition Function And
RAMADAN -
Thermodynamics Thermodynamics
5.1-5.2 5.3-5.4-5.5-5.7
16/03/2025 18/03/2025 20/03/2025
Chapter 5 The
10 Partition Function And
Equipartition Tutorials 2 online
RAMADAN Thermodynamics
Theorem
5.9

23/03/2025 25/03/2025 27/03/2025

Eid Break
30/03/2025 01/04/2025 03/04/2025
Eid Break
06/04/2025 08/04/2025 10/04/2025
Chapter 10 The Heat
Chapter 9 Planck's Capacity of an
11 Quiz 2 (Ch.4-Ch.5)
Radiation Law Insulating
3 Marks
Solid
10.1-10.2
13/04/2025 15/04/2025 17/04/2025
12
Chapter 10 The Heat Introduction to
MIDTERM 2
Capacity of an Quantum statistics
Wednesday Tutorials 3 online
Insulating Chapter 11 The Grand
16/04/2025
Solid Canonical Distribution
(Ch.4-Ch.5)
10.3 11.1-11.2
20/04/2025 23/04/2025 24/04/2025

13 Chapter 11 The Grand

Long Weekend Canonical Distribution -
11.3

27/04/2025 29/04/2025 01/05/2025

Chapter 12 Some
Tutorials 4 online
14 Applications of the
Chapter 11 The Grand +
Assignment 2 Fermi-Dirac and The
Canonical Distribution Quiz 3 (Ch.9-
Bose-Einstein
11.4 Ch.10-Ch.11-Ch.12)
Distributions
4 Marks
12.1, 12.5
15 04/05/2025 06/05/2025 08/05/2025
Revision
11/05/2025 13/05/2025 15/05/2025
16
Finals