Introduction to Thermodynamics and the States of Matter

Instructor: Prof. Ron Lifshitz

Teaching Assistant: Mr. Ehud Haimov

Course overview

An introduction to equilibrium thermodynamics, which is based on its axiomatic 19^th century formulation in the form of the famous “Laws of Thermodynamics”. The students are introduced to the different fundamental states of matter, the macroscopic variables used to describe them, and the notion of phase transitions between them. They learn how to characterize and analyze basic thermodynamic processes, how to calculate the efficiency of heat engines, and how to use standard thermodynamic potentials to characterize the equilibrium state of a thermodynamic system.

Assessment: Assignments – 12%, Final exam – 88%.

Recommended reading:

1. Jearl Walker, Halliday & Resnick Fundamentals of Physics (Wiley, 2003).
2. Enrico Fermi, Thermodynamics (Dover 1936).
3. F. Reif, Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics (McGraw-Hill, 1965).
4. H.B. Callen, Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics (Wiley, 1985).
5. C.J. Adkins, Equilibrium Thermodynamics, 3^rd Ed. (Cambridge University Press, 1983).
6. David Goodstein, Thermal Physics (Cambridge University Press, 2015).
7. M.M. Abbot & H.C. van Ness, Thermodynamics (McGraw-Hill, 1972).
8. L.D. Landau, A.I. Akhiezer, & E.M. Lifshitz, General Physics: Mechanics and Molecular Physics (Pergamon Press, 1967).