This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.
Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session
In this course we will discuss principles and methods of statistical mechanics. Topics will include: classical and quantum statistics, grand ensembles, fluctuations, molecular distribution functions, and other topics in equilibrium statistical mechanics. Topics in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of irreversible processes will also be covered.
5.70 Statistical Thermodynamics with Applications to Biological Systems
5.73 Introductory Quantum Mechanics I
18.075 Advanced Calculus for Engineers
The following is a list of recommended textbooks that you may find useful for this course. No required readings will be assigned.
Groot, Sybren Ruurds de, and Peter Mazur. Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics. New York, NY: Dover Publications, 1984. ISBN: 9780486647418.
van Kampen, N. G. Stochastic Processes in Physics and Chemistry. Boston, MA: Elsevier, 2007. ISBN: 9780444529657.
Boon, Jean-Pierre, and Sidney Yip. Molecular Hydrodynamics. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1980. ISBN: 9780070065604.
Reichl, Linda E. A Modern Course in Statistical Physics. New York, NY: Wiley, 1998. ISBN: 9780471595205.
Hansen, Jean-Pierre, and Ian R. McDonald. Theory of Simple Liquids. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Academic Press, 2006. ISBN: 9780123705358.
McQuarrie, Donald A. Statistical Mechanics. Sausalito, CA: University Science Books, 2000. ISBN: 9781891389153.
There will be 4 problem sets assigned. They will be graded.
You will have to complete a final project at the end of the term. You will be given a set of problems to work on outside of class.
This course will be graded based on the following:
| ACTIVITIES | PERCENTAGES |
|---|---|
| Class participation | 10% |
| Four problem sets | 50% |
| Final project | 40% |
| CHAPTER # | TOPICS | SUBTOPICS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stochastic Processes and Brownian Motion |
1.1 Markov Processes
1.2 Master Equations
1.3 Fokker-Planck Equations
1.4 The Langevin Equation 1.5 Appendix: Applications of Brownian Motion |
| 2 | Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics |
2.1 Response, Relaxation, and Correlation 2.2 Onsager Regression Theory 2.3 Response Response Theory and Causality
|
| 3 | Hydrodynamics and Light Scattering |
3.1 Light Scattering 3.2 Navier-Stokes Hydrodynamic Equations 3.3 Transport Coefficients |
| 4 | Time Correlation Functions |
4.1 Short-time Behavior 4.2 Projection Operator Method 4.3 Viscoelastic Model 4.4 Long-time Tails and Mode-coupling Theory |
MIT OpenCourseWare makes the materials used in the teaching of almost all of MIT's subjects available on the Web, free of charge. With more than 2,000 courses available, OCW is delivering on the promise of open sharing of knowledge.
© 2001–2013
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Your use of the MIT OpenCourseWare site and materials is subject to our Creative Commons License and other terms of use.