Thermal physics deals with large numbers of particles, anything big enough to see with a conventional microscope. From understanding the greenhouse effect to the blackbody radiation left over from the Big Bang, no other physical theory is used more widely throughout science.
This course provides an introduction to classical thermodynamics, with applications in materials science & engineering and earth science, as well as statistical thermodynamics, with applications in solid state physics and astrophysics.
The course begins with classical thermodynamics to introduce the fundamental concepts of temperature, energy, and heat, then moves to statistical mechanics, in which the laws of statistics are used to predict the behaviour of ensembles of particles, through the concept of entropy. These concepts are then used within thermodynamics to explore free energies, and understand heat engines, refrigerators and phase transformations and fuel cells, before the course returns to statistical physics to where Boltzmann and Gibbs factors and partition functions are applied to both classical and quantum systems, including blackbody radiation and Fermi gases.
Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Identify, critically analyse and describe the statistical nature of concepts and laws in thermodynamics, in particular: entropy, temperature, chemical potential, free energies, partition functions.
- Expertly use statistical physics methods, such as Boltzmann distribution, Gibbs distribution, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions to solve complex problems in physical systems.
- Apply at an advanced level the concepts and principles of black-body radiation to analyze radiation phenomena in thermodynamic systems.
- Apply at an advanced level the concepts and laws of thermodynamics to solve problems in thermodynamic systems such as gases, heat engines and refrigerators etc.
- Critically analyze phase equilibrium condition and identify types of phase transitions of physical systems.
- Identify, critically analyse and transmit knowledge about the connections between thermal physics and various branches of physics.
- Use scientific computing tools such as Mathematica and Python for generating scientific figures/illustrations.
Other Information
A cumulative minimum exam mark of 30% is required to pass the course, regardless of performance in other assessment items.
Indicative Assessment
- Weekly quizzes (5) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Weekly homework (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- Mid-semester exam (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Extended self-directed project, experimental or simulation-based, presented in a written or video report. (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- FInal exam (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
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Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 2 x 2 hour workshops per week throughout the semester.
- Approximately 82 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
Students with accessibility issues should consult convenors regarding any necessary accommodations.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Daniel V Schroeder, An Introduction to Thermal Physics, Addison Wesley Longman, 2000
Assumed Knowledge
First year Maths and Physics recommended equivalent to: PHYS1101 and PHYS1201 and either MATH1013 or MATH1014 or MATH1115 or MATH1116. It is desirable that students will have taken courses equivalent to MATH2305 simultaneously with PHYS2013 unless they have previously completed MATH2023, but it is not a course requirement.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3007 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |