Theoretical / proof-based
Physical Chemistry I · Undergraduate · Chemistry
Topics
Rigorous thermodynamic foundations
- Mathematical treatment of state functions and differentials
- Proof of entropy as a state function
- Carnot cycle and efficiency limits
- Derivation of Maxwell relations from exact differentials
- Jacobian methods in thermodynamics (where covered)
- Legendre transforms and thermodynamic potentials
- Stability criteria: concavity of Gibbs energy
- Phase coexistence and equality of chemical potentials (proof)
- Statistical definition of entropy: S = k ln W
- Connecting microscopic and macroscopic thermodynamics
Statistical mechanics introduction
- Microstates, macrostates, and Boltzmann distribution
- Partition functions for ideal gases and two-level systems
- Internal energy and entropy from partition functions
- Equipartition theorem and classical limits
- Quantum statistical mechanics preview: Fermi–Dirac, Bose–Einstein
- Ideal crystal models and heat capacity of solids
- Configurational entropy in mixing and polymers (intro)
- Fluctuations and correlation functions (overview)
- Ensemble theory: canonical and microcanonical (introduction)
- Linking statistical mechanics to kinetic theory
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$60.00 · 60 min · Undergraduate · Online ($60/hr)
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